The 78-strong group has been awarded Three Star Status from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) for sustainable practices such as recyclable napkins and menus, and for its on-going work with the wider community.
“A lot of work has gone into improving the social and environmental impact of our operations and we are very proud to have achieved the Three Star rating,” said chief executive Kossoff. “This is a real triumph for a restaurant group of our size, however we are aware the hard work continues.”
Carluccio’s joined the SRA as a founding member in 2010, achieving its first sustainability star in 2011 and a second in early 2013.The Three Star Status highlights the group’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and environmental practices as well as the importance it places on team development and training, supporting charities and working with the wider community.
Successful initiatives include a move to 100 per cent recyclable napkins and menus across the estate, and collaborating with the charity Kids Company to set up a cookery class programme to support vulnerable inner city children. The business has also further increased energy saving practices as well as continuing its commitment to fair-trade products such as chocolate and sugar, and chemical-free cleaning products.
Deserved recognition
The SRA’s managing director Mark Linehan said: "As one of the founding Members of the SRA, Carluccio's has demonstrated its on-going commitment to continually improve all aspects of its sustainability.
“Achieving Three Stars, the highest possible rating, is reward not just for this on-going endeavour to provide customers with what they want, but also deserved recognition of the significant positive changes the company has implemented over the last four years."
Earlier this month, Carluccio’s was awarded a further sustainability accolade in the form of the SRA’s Innovation Award, for being the first restaurant group to pioneer the new Good Food Talks app which supports visually impaired customers. It was also runner-up for the title of Sustainable Large Group of the Year (won by Geronimo Inns).
The SRA is a not-for-profit membership organisation helping restaurants become more sustainable and diners make more sustainable choices when dining out. It recognises restaurants as One, Two or Three star sustainability champions depending on how they rate against a wide range of criteria covering 14 areas of sustainability.