To mark World Environment Day 2023, Westlife Foodworld Ltd. (formerly Westlife Development Ltd.) – owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India will progressively install rooftop solar panels on one-third of its new restaurants in FY24. This move is part of the company’s goal to increase the use of renewable energy.
McDonald’s India West and South-owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld Ltd.
In the last two years, Westlife has reduced its carbon footprint by 16,308 tonne by saving 19.58 million units of electricity, akin to planting 749,086 trees. Westlife’s reduced reliance on non-renewable sources bodes well for its operational efficiencies by saving electricity and cutting down the release of hundreds of tonne of CO2, which further helps in lowering climate risk.
Smita Jatia, Vice Chairperson, Westlife Foodworld said, “We are committed to a lower carbon footprint, achieved through increased recycling and reuse of materials, use of renewable energy, and reduced consumption. We recognise the critical role that businesses must play in addressing climate change and we are proud to walk the talk. With each step, we are becoming stronger in our fight against climate change. We look forward to continuing our efforts towards a greener future and to serving our customers with delicious and sustainable food.”
Westlife’s commitment to sustainability extends to measures that can help conserve resources. The company has eliminated single-use plastics from customer-facing packaging. It is also improving energy efficiency at its existing restaurants with the use of LED and OATS (order assembly table set).
Sustainable sourcing is driven by tapping into green-certified ingredients such as UTZ-certified coffee beans, one of the world’s largest sustainable programmes for coffee and cocoa farming. The cooking oil in McDonald’s-West and South- kitchens is converted into biodiesel, as Westlife is known for pioneering the recycling of converted biodiesel in India.
The drive to sustain the environment is not restricted to processes and equipment but has been adopted by Westlife’s employees too. Over 10,000 employees have taken the ‘Lifestyle for the Environment’ Pledge on the MyGov Pledge platform to showcase their commitment to consciously participate in taking up environmental lifestyle and inculcate long-term environment friendly habits. Hundreds of them from 11 cities have taken up beach-cleaning, planting saplings, and raising awareness about water conservation to mirror the company’s focus on green initiatives.
To promote planting for a greener future and celebrate World Environment Day in the community, McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India are giving away Marigold seeds to their customers.
Each of these steps, including using more renewable energy, will advance the company toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The pledge through the United Nations Climate Change reflects Westlife’s deep commitment to environmental conservation and reducing its carbon footprint.
About Westlife
Westlife Foodworld Limited (BSE: 505533) (WFL), formerly known as Westlife Development Ltd (WDL), focuses on setting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (HRPL). The Company operates a chain of McDonald’s restaurants in West and South India, having a master franchisee relationship with McDonald’s Corporation USA, through the latter’s subsidiary.
About Hardcastle Restaurants
HRPL is a McDonald’s franchisee with rights to own and operate McDonald’s restaurants in India’s West and South markets. HRPL has been a franchisee in the region since its inception in 1996.
HRPL serves over 200 million customers, annually, at its 357 (as of March 31, 2023) McDonald’s restaurants across 56 cities in the states of Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry and provides direct employment to over 10,000 employees. McDonald’s operates through various formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, drive- thrus, 24/7, McDelivery, McBreakfast and dessert kiosks. The menu features Burgers, Wraps, and Hot and Cold Beverages besides a wide range of desserts. Several of the McDonald’s restaurants feature an in-house McCafe.
The pillars of the McDonald’s system-Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value-are evident at each of the restaurants that HRPL operates.
