An iconic Australian fast food franchise with hundreds of locations nationwide partners with HighFlow Energy to reduce energy costs, boost sustainability credentials and support national expansion without incurring capital expenditure. By deploying HighFlow’s zero-CAPEX Energy-as-a-Service model – including Australian-made SodiumSafe battery systems, smart energy management and virtual power plant (VPP) integration – the franchise is future-proofing its energy use while improving franchise economics and enhancing customer engagement.
Key Metrics
- Annual Energy Savings per Store: $7,500–$10,000
- Annual Benefit per Store (incl. EV & Loyalty Impact): $26,000–$44,000
- CO₂ Emissions Reduction (at 1,000 stores): ~204,400 tonnes
- Customer Loyalty Uplift: 3–5% sales increase
- Capital Expenditure for Franchisee: $0
- Battery Installation Time: Under 2 weeks
- Deployment Footprint: 1,000+ stores scalable
- EV Charging Revenue Opportunity per Store: $3,500–$4,000 annually
The Challenge
The franchise’s rapid expansion, high daytime energy use and reliance on grid electricity exposed it to rising energy costs and peak demand charges. Many sites were leased, limiting investment in permanent infrastructure. Additionally, increasing consumer and investor focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance required visible, verifiable action toward sustainability goals. Traditional energy upgrades were costly, complex and slow – hindering growth.
The Solution
HighFlow Energy delivered a turnkey, zero-CAPEX energy platform tailored for fast food retail. Key components include:
- SodiumSafe Battery Installation at each store (200kWh–400kWh), optimised for safety, performance, and portability.
- Smart Charging from solar (existing or new) and off-peak grid power using HighFlow’s EMS to minimise energy costs.
- Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) Model where HighFlow owns, installs, maintains, and operates all equipment.
- VPP Participation allowing revenue generation and energy flexibility, including for non-solar sites.
- Franchise Enablement through portable, fast-deploy systems that remove upfront costs and simplify energy for franchisees.
- ESG Dashboard & Loyalty Integration providing real-time carbon tracking and customer engagement through “green points”.
The Outcome
- Cost Reduction: Energy bills reduced by 30–40% at each participating location.
- Improved Margins: Predictable energy costs support better franchisee economics and bankability.
- Faster Expansion: Plug-and-play design enabled faster store openings, even in leased premises.
- Stronger Brand Equity: Real-time ESG data, clean energy branding, and EV charging boosted brand loyalty and visibility.
- Significant Carbon Savings: Over 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided at scale—equivalent to removing 44,000+ cars from the road.
Why It Matters
This model showcases how large-scale food and retail chains can simultaneously address energy, financial, and environmental goals. The HighFlow partnership enables:
- Full Solar Utilisation with battery-first usage reducing reliance on expensive grid power.
- Peak Shaving to avoid demand charges and optimise load management.
- Sustainability Leadership that appeals to ESG-conscious consumers and investors.
- Scalability & Flexibility vital for rapid rollouts, franchising and adapting to diverse site needs.
- Future-Proofing for electric vehicle charging and energy market participation.
By aligning commercial performance with climate impact, this solution redefines what energy means for fast food – making every store cleaner, smarter and more profitable.