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Chain restaurant efficiency · Investing in quality control

Charcoal Group

How centralized, remote-accessible control replaced manual guesswork across every Charcoal Group location — cutting energy use 28%.

The challenge

Consistency that didn’t scale.

The restaurant group struggled with manually controlled lighting, temperature, and timing systems. As operations expanded, inconsistencies grew — thermostats displayed the wrong time, outdoor lighting failed to come back on after power outages, and staff turnover made maintaining standards difficult across locations.

The solution

One local network, controllable from anywhere.

RecessD integrated a centralized control system operating as an independent local network — accessible via phone, tablet, or laptop, while remaining fully functional without internet connectivity. The system now controls:

• 25 lighting zones
• 35 sensors monitoring food and beer fridge temperature every 3 minutes
• 4 thermostats
• 4 rooftop air dampers
• Exhaust fans (dishwasher, bathroom, prep hood)
• Demand Control System
• Food warming lights
• Multiple timers

The results

500+ adjustments a day, zero manager oversight.

The system now makes over 500 automatic adjustments daily with zero manager oversight required. Seasonal lighting adjusts in sync with sunset times, signage illumination follows a systematic schedule, and complete fridge temperature logs are kept for food-safety compliance.

The results: a 250 kWh daily reduction in energy use (28%), $1,200 in monthly savings on electrical costs, and payback achieved in under 12 months — alongside reduced repair and maintenance costs and a modest decline in gas consumption.

What’s next

Standard across every location.

RecessD is now deployed at three Charcoal Group locations, and is included in all new projects and retrofitted into existing locations as standard.