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Case Study · Quick-Service Restaurant · Franchise

How a Second-Generation Taco Bell Owner Scaled Energy Savings Across a Franchise Portfolio

From 16 to 37 locations in less than a year, with a proven energy strategy for the future

Partnership est.
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Budderfly investment
$ 0
energy savings to date
0 kWh
The Challenge

A rapid, portfolio-wide expansion deployed without disrupting operations.

After inheriting a 16-location Budderfly rollout that was originally signed by her father, Taco Bell franchise owner Lindsay Johnston saw an opportunity to expand this successful partnership even more widely.

Proven results across the first 16 locations set the stage for expansion, making it the natural next step for Johnston’s remaining locations.

The challenge became clear: standardize energy performance across a growing portfolio without disrupting day-to-day operations.

taco bell
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After seeing strong results across the initial locations, expanding to the rest of the portfolio was a natural next step. This rollout shows how quickly a proven energy strategy can scale across multiple locations.

Timothy Lapak, Customer Success Manager, Budderfly
The Solution

A full suite of upgrades and $1.2 million in investment from Budderfly—at no upfront cost.

Rather than expand gradually, Johnston accelerated adoption, bringing an additional 21 locations to the Budderfly program within the first year. Between April and December 2025, Budderfly deployed a full suite of upgrades across HVAC, lighting, refrigeration, and controls to create a consistent, portfolio-wide energy infrastructure strategy.

Budderfly invested more than $1.2 million across more than 400 energy efficiency solutions, upgrading all 37 restaurants with energy efficient equipment, monitoring technology, and ongoing support—all at no upfront cost.

12 HVAC upgrades
13 water pressure valves
80+ refrigeration system enhancements
16 LED lighting upgrades
Smart metering and monitoring
The Results

From 16 to 37 locations in less than a year, delivering measurable savings.

With 37 locations now enrolled, Johnston is making an impact as a second-generation leader in her family business by scaling a high-performing, standardized energy strategy. Since implementation, the partnership has already delivered measurable impact.

In less than a year
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kWh in energy savings
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Since joining Budderfly in 2025, the 37 Taco Bell locations have already delivered measurable energy reductions—25 metric tons of carbon avoided—demonstrating real  impact in less than a year. 
Timothy Lapak, Customer Success Manager, Budderfly
the equivalent of 2,808 gallons of gasoline consumed by a passenger vehicle
The Future

A clear path to full adoption and continued efficiency improvements.

With the successful rollout of the additional 21 locations, Johnston is looking to expand the partnership to all of Weber Enterprise's Taco Bell locations.

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