Ted's Montana Grill has been awarded LEED Gold certification under the LEED for Interior Design and Construction: Retail rating system for its Alpharetta, Ga., restaurant, which opened in October 2014. This is the chain's first restaurant to be LEED-certified.
LEED Gold certification is the second highest rating a building can receive. LEED-certified projects are rated for sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.
The 4,600-square-foot Alpharetta unit, located in a new mixed-use development, has sustainability "ingrained in nearly every aspect," said its proprietor, Jeff Hormel, in the company's opening announcement.
Ted's incorporates eco-friendly products such as low-voltage, LED light bulbs and menus printed on recycled paper; paper straws, wooden drink stirrers, cornstarch to-go cups, recycled coasters and biodegradable to-go cutlery. Kitchen staff members follow specific "fire up/fire down" guidelines to save on electricity, use energy-saving equipment and utilize griddle cook tops that lower the level of grease particulates released into the air. Restrooms feature water-efficient fixtures and biodegradable powder Boraxo soap.
The design of the Alpharetta location is inspired by old western saloons, with all the romance and classic touches that make it feel luxurious, but in a casual, warm way. The décor features Mahogany paneling, pressed tin ceilings, brass fixtures and crown molding.