Wahaca to begin sustainable expansion plan in London
The move, an industry first for a British restaurant group, is designed to help diners make conscious choices around dishes that are ‘kinder to the planet’.
Mexican restaurant group Wahaca is to secure a series of sites across London that focus on sustainability as it begins a measured expansion programme in the capital.
Wahaca plans to open new restaurants in key locations such as King’s Cross, Victoria and strong London suburbs.
The brand said it is specifically targeting locations and landlords who prioritise the environment as it further aligns its brand with the surge in conscious consumerism.
The expansion strategy is supported by Wahaca’s introduction of carbon ratings to its menus from this week, measuring the climate impact of each of its dishes. The move, an industry first for a British restaurant group, is designed to help diners make conscious choices around dishes that are “kinder to the planet.”
According to the group, with food now responsible for 28% of global emissions, being informed about the planetary impact of what we eat has “never been more relevant.”
To calculate the carbon footprint of each dish on its menu, Wahaca partnered with food and climate specialists Klimato to give a low, medium or high rating. By conducting a ‘life cycle analysis’ of each ingredient, the resulting data provides a picture of the overall greenhouse gas emissions from every dish served at Wahaca.
Mark Selby, co-founder, said: “We have always prioritised sustainability and the environment, but believe actions speak louder than words. So as well as continuing to innovate with initiatives such as the carbon food ratings and being the UK’s first carbon neutral restaurant business, we are putting sustainability at the centre of our expansion strategy.
“We want to work with landlords to open restaurants in places that share not only our ethos, but are as committed as we are to taking positive, affirmative action on the environment. While some may see this as a bold step, we see it as a necessary one. It has also been well-received by the landlords we have spoken to, all of whom are seeking more sustainable partners.”
Wahaca’s new site selection strategy and launch of food carbon ratings build on its track-record of championing sustainability.
