Subject: OCMetro.com Placement
From: "Merilee:::Kern Communications" <[email-masked]>
To: "Gus Ezcurra" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, "Lyle Deitch - AT" <[email-masked]>, "'Buck Smith'" <[email-masked]>, "'Chester Cade'" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 11:13:08 -0700

http://www.ocmetro.com/t-TacoBell_energy_systems_100509.aspx

RETAIL FOOD SERVICE

            Taco Bell franchisee rolls out energy management system at SoCal stores 
            RSM's Cotti Foods expects the platform to reduce utility costs. 
            By Kristen SchottPublished: October 05, 2009 09:46 AM 

     
       
      Rancho Santa Margarita-based Cotti Foods Corp. – which is among the nation's largest Taco Bell franchisees – is installing an innovative new energy management system at more than 50 stores in Southern California, 16 of which are in O.C. 

      Developed by San Diego-based Advanced Telemetry, the EcoView Commercial smart energy and resource management platform is expected to reduce operational power usage, utility bills and carbon emissions at the stores. 

      EcoView Commercial is controlled through a wireless touch panel dashboard or Web interface. It is operated without a utility company and helps business officials understand, track and control how their firm is using its resources. Other features include centralized, remote control of thermostats and account specialists who monitor locations for energy-usage irregularities.

      Cotti field tested the system in 15 of its Taco Bell eateries for about nine months per store with positive results. 

      “We are convinced of the benefits that the EcoView product offers us and are committed for the long haul," says Cotti Chief Operating Officer Steve Dees. "With such a large number of restaurants, the ability to remotely monitor, control and limit access to our climate control systems will ensure that our facilities are comfortable while at the same time efficiently operated." 

Dees says the company has also qualified to receive rebate incentives from Southern California Edison because of the large-scale installation.

Cotti joins a number of other fast-food chain operators that are implementing the system. Among them: Taco Bell operator AIP Ventures; Burger King franchisee RIO Management; Arby's operator FX4; and Jim 'n Nick's Bar-B-Q.

“Our recent succession of multiunit restaurant installations demonstrates that EcoView Commercial maintains its stronghold as the industry’s most effective and economical ‘go-to’ energy management solution,” says Gus Ezcurra, CEO of Advanced Telemetry. 

Taco Bell is headquartered in Irvine and is a subsidiary of Yum Bands. The implementation is expected to be completed sometime next year. Cotti Foods' O.C. Taco Bell stores that are set to get the new system are:

1. 26521 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo
2. 1212 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim
3. 1075 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim
4. 100 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim
5. 5626 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills
6. 6001 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
7. 7878 Valley View Blvd., Buena Park
8. 2900 Fairview, Costa Mesa
9. 34117 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point
10. 301 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton
11. 13291 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove
12. 27371 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel
13. 28532 Oso Pkwy., Las Flores
14. 31491 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita
15. 31771 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano
16. 7192 Westminister Ave., Westminster