With a billion pounds of cooking oil recycled and $600 million in revenue growth, Filta continues to set the standard for sustainability and innovation in commercial kitchens.
Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions has reached a major milestone, recycling over one billion pounds of used cooking oil since entering the U.S. market in 2002. This achievement showcases Filta’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation, transforming waste oil into biodiesel and other renewable energy sources. As a leader in environmentally friendly services for commercial kitchens, Filta also offers eco-friendly solutions to maintain drains, dehumidify cold storage environments, and steam clean entire kitchens. Such efforts have made a significant impact on both the environment and the franchise industry, driving $600 million in revenue growth since they began franchising in the U.S.
Reducing carbon footprints has been a heartbeat from the beginning. Every gallon of biodiesel produced from recycled cooking oil prevents 16 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Over the past two decades, Filta has created enough biodiesel to offset a total carbon dioxide equivalent of planting 135 million trees. This accomplishment reflects the core of Filta’s mission: to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. By repurposing used cooking oil, we contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gasses and promote cleaner air for future generations.
The benefits of these recycling efforts go beyond carbon offsets. Through their services, Filta has saved nearly 1.3 million gallons of water, reduced pesticide use by over 2 million pounds and conserved vast amounts of energy. These outcomes are particularly important in today’s world, where resources are strained and sustainability is more critical than ever. Filta’s work supports a healthier planet while helping commercial kitchens operate more efficiently.
Filta’s success is built on a franchise model, which has allowed it to expand its services across North America. Since its entry into the U.S. market, it has relied on franchisees to deliver services and grow. The franchise model has been instrumental in its journey, enabling the brand to reach $600 million in revenue while continuing to make a meaningful environmental impact. Today, Filta operates with over $120 million in annual revenue and has ambitious plans to reach $500 million annually over the next several years. Behind this successful model are entrepreneurial franchise owners.
Franchisees are the backbone of its success. They not only deliver core services but also play a crucial role in its continuous improvement and expansion. To support franchisees, it offers extensive training, business planning and customer acquisition programs. An inside sales team helps franchisees build a customer base, while a corporate development team secures national contracts that fuel growth. Labor shortages are a challenge across the industry. Filta supports its franchisees by assisting with recruiting, hiring and training employees. By ensuring franchisees have the resources they need, Filta empowers them to deliver exceptional service and grow their businesses. A testament to the strength of Filta’s network of franchise owners is their Brand Advisory Council.
The Council, made up of franchisee representatives, has been essential in helping it adapt to new challenges and seize opportunities. This collaboration has led to the development of new services like FiltaClean, which goes beyond fryer management to offer comprehensive kitchen cleaning solutions. By expanding service offerings, Filta provides customers with the tools they need to maintain sustainable operations, from cleaning fryers to flat tops, walls and floors.
Filta’s comprehensive approach to fryer and kitchen management, features micro-filtration, which extends the life of cooking oil by removing impurities. This process not only saves oil but also ensures that when oil is finally discarded, it is repurposed in the most sustainable way possible. Filta’s waste oil collection process is entirely bin-free, preventing waste oil from sitting in storage and potentially leaking into the environment. Instead, it transports 100% of the oil it collects to biodiesel refineries, ensuring it is used to its full potential.
The environmental benefits of this service are substantial. By recycling cooking oil and producing biodiesel, Filta has reduced diesel consumption by over 7.6 million gallons and gasoline by nearly 2.4 million gallons. Additionally, it has conserved more than 12 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and over 111 million cubic feet of natural gas. These savings help commercial kitchen clients reduce their overall carbon footprint and align with their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
Filta’s approach to sustainability is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it’s about creating measurable, tangible benefits for customers. It provides local environmental impact reports that detail the specific benefits of our services. These reports quantify how much oil has been saved, how much waste has been repurposed, and the direct impact on carbon emissions. For Filta’s clients, these reports offer more than just data—they offer a way to communicate their commitment to sustainability to their own customers and stakeholders.
Clients rely on Filta to achieve their sustainability goals. By using Filta’s services, they contribute to a cleaner environment while maintaining efficient kitchen operations. With nearly 10,000 clients across North America, the cumulative impact of Filta’s efforts is remarkable. From local restaurants to national chains, professional stadiums, entertainment venues, higher education, healthcare facilities, and beyond, Filta’s clients benefit from its expertise and dedication to sustainability.
Looking ahead, Filta is committed to building on this momentum. It aims to expand its franchise network and enhance its service offerings to meet the evolving needs of the food service industry. As it grows, Filta will continue to prioritize sustainability and innovation. The company’s goal is to not only increase revenue but also deepen its environmental impact. Filta’s belief is that every fryer served is another opportunity to make a difference.
Filta’s success is the result of the dedication of its franchisees and the value of its services. As Filta celebrates the milestone of one billion pounds of oil recycled and $600 million in revenue growth, it looks forward to the next chapter of its journey. Filta remains committed to sustainability, innovation and the success of its franchisees. Filta is proud to lead the way in environmentally friendly solutions for commercial kitchens.