'The Parque Hundido unit would not only be the first restaurant in the fast food category to receive LEED Gold certification, but the first Mexican restaurant to get it', said Felix Ramirez Montiel, Corporate communications Director of the North Latam Division of Arcos Dorados -master franchise of McDonald's in Latin America.
LEED Certification, awarded by the US Green Building Council, is awarded to those buildings that, from the construction or remodeling, operate from sustainable technology, energy savings and responsible use of resources.
'There are currently four levels of certification: from 40 to 49 points is obtained the LEED Certification, from 50 to 59 points the LEED Silver Certification, from 60 to 79 points the LEED Gold Certification and from 80 points on the LEED Platinum certification', explains Ramirez Montiel.
The Parque Hundido unit of McDonald's, in Mexico City, underwent a process of renovation under the direction of the design firm arqdesk and Revitaliza consulting office. The best include: seven containers for the use of waste, recycled furniture, low consumption fluorescent energy saving system, a health care system that requires a minimum consumption of water and spaces for bicycles and hybrid cars.
'The first 'green unit” is located in an area very close to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and we achieve the LEED Gold certification two years ago. The second is in the process of certification and is a unit of Costa Rica, while the third is located in Argentina. The fourth restaurant would be Parque Hundido', said the executive.
Today, the master franchise Arcos Dorados has 184 restaurants in 20 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, reports 4.3 million daily customers on average, and in 2012, ranked third in Mexico as a Great Place to Work. (Inteligencia Editorial – Mexican Business Web)
