Compare Business Energy for Restaurants
Clear commercial electricity and gas support for restaurants dealing with kitchen equipment, refrigeration, heating, ventilation and long operating hours.
Why Restaurants Can Have Demanding Energy Requirements
Restaurants combine a range of high-load equipment and extended operating hours, which can result in significant electricity and gas consumption across a site.
Commercial Kitchens
A commercial kitchen typically runs multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously. The combination of cooking equipment, refrigeration, ventilation and hot water systems means kitchen energy consumption can be substantial.
Ovens and Cooking Equipment
Commercial ovens, ranges, fryers and grills are among the most energy-intensive appliances in a restaurant. Gas cooking equipment contributes to gas consumption, while electric appliances add to electricity demand.
Refrigeration and Freezers
Walk-in cold rooms, under-counter fridges, display chillers and freezers run continuously. Refrigeration is often one of the largest contributors to a restaurant's electricity consumption.
Extraction and Ventilation
Commercial extraction systems are required to manage heat, steam and odours from the kitchen. These systems can run for extended periods and contribute meaningfully to electricity usage.
Lighting
Restaurant lighting covers kitchen work areas, dining rooms, bar areas and external signage. Lighting requirements vary by venue type and operating hours, and can represent a notable portion of electricity use.
Heating and Hot Water
Maintaining comfortable temperatures for diners and providing hot water for kitchen and hygiene purposes requires consistent energy input, particularly during colder months.
Long Opening Hours
Many restaurants operate across lunch and dinner services, with some trading seven days a week. Extended operating hours mean energy consumption accumulates across a longer daily period than many other business types.
Electricity and Gas Considerations for Restaurants
Restaurant energy requirements can vary considerably depending on a range of operational and site-specific factors. Understanding these helps ensure a comparison is based on accurate information.
Annual Consumption
Your annual electricity and gas consumption in kWh is the primary factor that determines which suppliers and contract structures are available. This information is usually shown on a recent energy bill or available from your current supplier.
Opening Hours
The number of hours your restaurant trades each day, and the number of days per week, directly affects your consumption profile. Suppliers and brokers will consider your operating pattern when assessing your requirements.
Equipment
The type and age of your kitchen equipment affects both electricity and gas consumption. A restaurant with a predominantly gas kitchen will have a different fuel split to one using electric induction cooking.
Site Size
The size of your premises affects heating, cooling and lighting loads. Larger restaurants with more covers, bar areas or outdoor spaces may have higher consumption than smaller venues.
Meter Type
The type of electricity meter at your premises affects which suppliers and products are available. Half-hourly, AMR and smart meters each have different implications for data availability, billing and contract options.
Contract End Date
Knowing when your current contract ends is essential for planning a renewal or switch. Starting the comparison process well in advance of your end date helps avoid auto-renewal or out-of-contract rates.
Seasonal Trade
Some restaurants experience seasonal variation in trade, with higher covers during summer, the festive period or local events. Seasonal patterns in consumption may be relevant when discussing contract options.
What Affects Restaurant Energy Quotations
Several factors influence the quotations available to a restaurant business. Understanding these helps set realistic expectations when approaching the market.
Consumption
Annual consumption in kWh is the primary driver of unit rate quotations. Higher-consumption sites may access different contract structures to lower-consumption premises.
Location
Network distribution costs vary by region and are reflected in the unit rates and standing charges available at a given postcode. Location is a fixed factor that affects all suppliers equally.
Credit Profile
Commercial energy suppliers assess the credit profile of a business before offering a contract. A business with a strong credit history may access a broader range of options than one with adverse credit.
Meter Type
The type of meter at your premises affects which suppliers can quote and which products are available. Some suppliers do not serve all meter types, which can affect the range of options presented.
Contract Length
Quotations are typically available for contract terms of 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months. The rates available for different terms will vary depending on market conditions at the time of quoting.
Renewal Timing
The timing of your approach to the market can affect the rates available. Approaching well in advance of your contract end date gives more time to compare options and complete any switching process.
Ways Restaurants May Manage Energy Costs
While energy costs are influenced by market conditions outside your control, there are practical steps that may help restaurants manage their commercial energy expenditure.
Review Contracts Early
Starting the renewal process three to six months before your contract end date gives time to compare options and avoid being placed on out-of-contract rates, which are typically higher than contracted rates.
Check Out-of-Contract Status
If your contract has already ended, you may be on your supplier's out-of-contract or deemed rates. Reviewing your current position and obtaining quotations promptly can help address this.
Maintain Refrigeration Equipment
Poorly maintained refrigeration equipment can consume more energy than necessary. Regular servicing, checking door seals and ensuring adequate ventilation around units may help maintain efficiency.
Review Operating Schedules
Reviewing when equipment is switched on and off in relation to your actual trading hours may identify opportunities to reduce consumption during periods when the restaurant is not in service.
Monitor Consumption
Where a smart or AMR meter is in place, reviewing consumption data can help identify unusual patterns or periods of unexpectedly high usage that may warrant investigation.
Consider Efficient Lighting and Controls
LED lighting and occupancy or daylight controls can reduce electricity consumption in dining areas, toilets and back-of-house spaces. The suitability and payback period of any investment should be assessed carefully.
Our Comparison Process
We follow a straightforward process to help restaurant businesses understand their options and make an informed decision about their commercial energy contracts.
Review bill and contract
We start by reviewing your current energy bill and contract details, including your consumption, current rates, contract end date and any notice period requirements.
Understand the restaurant's requirements
We take into account your operating hours, site type, fuel requirements and any specific considerations relevant to your restaurant before approaching the market.
Compare suitable supplier options
We approach a broad panel of UK commercial energy suppliers on your behalf and gather quotations that reflect your actual consumption and requirements.
Explain quotations
We present all available options in plain language, explaining unit rates, standing charges, contract lengths and any relevant terms or conditions.
Support renewal or switching
Whether you choose to renew with your existing supplier or move to a new one, we manage the process and keep you informed at every stage.
Information We Will Need
To prepare an accurate comparison for your restaurant, we will typically need the following information. Most of this is available on a recent energy bill.
Multi-Site Restaurant Support
Support for restaurant groups and businesses operating from more than one location.
Restaurant groups and operators with multiple sites face additional complexity when managing commercial energy contracts. Each site may have a different supplier, contract end date and consumption profile, making it difficult to maintain a clear overview of energy costs and renewal obligations.
Free Energy Help can assist restaurant businesses with multiple sites by reviewing each location's current arrangements and approaching the market on a coordinated basis. Where appropriate, aligning contract end dates across sites can simplify future renewal management.
If you operate more than one restaurant or have sites at different addresses, please let us know when making your enquiry so we can take all locations into account from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Request a Restaurant Energy Comparison
Our UK-based specialists can gather quotations from a broad panel of commercial energy suppliers and present clear, impartial options for your restaurant.
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