The Friday Report Blog: December 23rd, 2022

McDonald’s to Move Supply Chain to Solar Energy

McDonald’s North American Logistics Council has signed agreements to purchase renewable energy from Enel North America. Per the agreement, the council’s members – Amarda, Earp Distribution, Martin Brower, Mile Hi Foods and The Anderson – DuBose Company – will purchase solar power from Enel North America’s Blue Jay solar project, located in Grimes County, Texas. The project will support McDonald’s entire logistics supply chain, including its warehouses and distribution centers.

The Blue Jay solar project is predicted to deliver 470,000 megawatt hours of solar power. This is enough to power over 900 McDonald’s restaurants. Additionally, the project will help combat climate change by saving 170,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

McDonald’s has a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. Since 2021, the fast-food company has opened its first net-zero emissions restaurant as well as signed a deal with EDF Renewables North America. This partnership will enable McDonald’s restaurants to run on low-carbon energy. 

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Chick-fil-A to Open Missouri Distribution Center

Fast food company Chick-fil-A is set to open a 100,000 square foot distribution center in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The $16 million dollar facility will create over 60 jobs as well as increase the company’s capacity to serve the St. Louis area as it takes control of its supply chain.

The distribution center will open in 2023 and will provide over 40 Chick-fil-A restaurants with access to food, products, and delivery service technology. This is the company’s fourth distribution center in the U.S. The first opened in 2019 in Georgia. The restaurant chain also plans to open an $80 million distribution center in Lexington County, South Carolina in 2024.

In addition to the distribution centers, Chick-Fil-A is also investing into automated technology to better meet the needs of their customers. In a partnership with Refraction AI, Chick-fil-A has begun testing self-driving delivery vehicles at two stores in Austin, Texas.

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Envision AESC to Invest $810 Million in EV Production

Electric vehicle battery manufacturer Envision Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) has announced an $810 million investment to build a manufacturing facility in Florence County, South Carolina. The 1.5 million square foot site will enable the battery maker to produce lithium-ion batteries for BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.

The facility will support the company’s multi-year partnership with the BMW Group by manufacturing battery’s that will improve charging speed by 30%. The site will also reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by 60%.

To help build the site, Florence County received a $135 million Closing Fund grant. The state of South Carolina also approved a $70 million investment to develop off-site infrastructure such as a training center.

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