Krystal Engages Ecova for Energy Insights and Increased Efficiency

Quick service restaurant chain leverages utility data for energy
management and cost savings

SPOKANE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#energyefficiency—Ecova,
a leading energy and sustainability management company, has been
selected by The Krystal Company, a premiere quick service restaurant
chain, to provide utility expense data management and energy management
solutions for more than 250 company-owned restaurants across the
Southeastern United States.

For quick service restaurants, energy remains one of the biggest
operating costs. Variances in bill frequency, format and detail make
managing bills difficult and costly. To better manage energy spend
across sites, Krystal has enlisted Ecova to handle utility bill
management, energy procurement services for deregulated natural gas
markets, and utility rate monitoring and optimization.

As an initial step to control costs, Ecova will deliver utility bill
auditing and open and closing services to ensure continuous operations
as Krystal’s portfolio evolves. Ecova’s enhanced expense data management
services will further provide the retailer with strategic insights to
sustain long-term energy and cost savings.

“Ecova’s proven track record of success helping quick service
restaurants optimize energy usage gave us the confidence to set more
ambitious energy efficiency goals,” said Ellis Broadie, Corporate
Controller at Krystal. “By analyzing our energy bills, negotiating more
cost-effective utility contracts, and providing data-driven
recommendations and action plans to help drive down costs, Ecova will
enable Krystal to realize significant savings and become more
sustainable.”

Negotiating contracts and managing
complex utility bills to avoid late fees and incorrect charges is
time consuming. Ecova’s proven technology and delivery engine will not
only help Krystal avoid unnecessary costs, but also enable the company
to manage data collection, capture, audit and analysis, and business
reporting from a single system. The data insights derived from this
system will help Krystal maximize energy efficiency across its national
portfolio.

“As Krystal reviews internal processes to identify opportunities for
increased efficiency and savings, Ecova will provide complete data to
better interpret utility costs and energy consumption,” said Mathias
Lelievre, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ecova. “Ecova brings
valuable industry expertise to enable Krystal to optimize energy
spending, more accurately forecast future budget demands and drive
sustainability goals.”

To continue delivering excellent service at optimal costs, Krystal will
need accurate and timely data collection and analysis for strategic
energy programs. Ecova’s robust energy management program, that extends
beyond bill processing to optimize energy spending, will ensure Krystal
will be well-positioned to focus on other business priorities.

About Ecova

Ecova makes businesses and utilities more successful through energy and
sustainability management. Ecova blends data and technology, with people
and insight, to drive powerful results for their clients. Using insights
based on consumption, cost and carbon footprint data spanning thousands
of utilities, hundreds of thousands of business sites and millions of
households, Ecova provides fully managed, technology-optimized solutions
for saving resources, which in turn increase returns, lower risks and
enhance reputations. Ecova is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENGIE, a
worldwide, global energy player. For more information, visit the
company’s website www.ecova.com,
on LinkedIn,
or follow Ecova on Twitter at @EcovaInc.

About The Krystal Company

Founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1932, The Krystal Company is the
oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South. Its hamburgers are
still served fresh and hot off the grill on the iconic square bun at
more than 350 restaurants in 11 states. Krystal’s Atlanta-based
Restaurant Support Center serves a team of 6,000 employees. For more
information, visit http://www.Krystal.com
or http://www.facebook.com/Krystal
or follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram @Krystal.

Contacts

InkHouse
Rachael Tucker, 508-280-4846
[email protected]