At a Glance
CUSTOMER
Benny & Co.
LOCATION
Québec and Ontario, Canada
CHALLENGE
Maintain revenue stream for a chain of family-owned restaurants in Québec and Ontario by providing emergency standby power during utility outages.
SOLUTIONS
Rehlko gas generator sets
Rehlko automatic transfer switches:
(3) KSS-JNTA-0200S ATS
(4) KSS-ANTA-0200S ATS
(1) KCT-ANTA-0104S ATS
(1) KSS-JNTA-0200S ATS
(1) KSS-ANTA-0200S ATSRehlko weather protective, sound-attenuated enclosures
PRIMARY CHOICE FACTORS
Benny & Co. confidence in Rehlko solutions and relationship with suppliers.
Note: Kohler Energy is now Rehlko. The products shown were installed under the KOHLER brand.
Background
The origins of Benny & Co. started in the late 1940s when eight brothers, individually, started their own chicken farms to help supply a burgeoning market for spitroasted chicken and ribs in Quebec, Canada. The brothers eventually branched into vertically related businesses, including their own slaughterhouse, distribution network, and feed mill. In the late 1950s, they branched into the restaurant business, erecting over 20 restaurants (under different banners) in the ‘60s and ‘70s. A second generation of the family opened an additional 20 restaurants in the ‘70s and ‘80s, culminating in 61 locations today, throughout Québec and Ontario. Members of the Benny family exclusively operate the restaurants. Adopting the Benny & Co. banner and concept in 2006, the chain now offers quick service, healthy eating, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.
Challenge
While the grids in Québec and Ontario are relatively stable, unplanned outages do occur. Benny & Co. restaurants generate significant daily revenue. Thus, an unplanned outage can cost thousands of dollars per day. Based on experience, the owners realized that the cost of an emergency standby system could pay for itself in less than a year. Revenue lost during an outage far outweighed both initial system costs, as well as operational and maintenance costs. Moreover, the restaurants use natural gas for heating and cooking. Natural gas is an economical and environmentally friendly choice for powering standby generators. Its use also enhances project speed because it precludes the need to install diesel tanks, pumps, and associated control panels.
The challenge for Benny & Co. was to find the most reliable and economical emergency standby power solutions for both new and existing restaurants. They looked to Drumco Énergie for the answers.
Generator outside one of the Benny & Co. locations in Québec, Canada
Rehlko open transition, automatic transfer switch installation
Solution
Given the ten Benny & Co. restaurants slated to receive the Rehlko emergency standby solutions varied in size, layout, capacity, and hardware, their requisite power needs would vary. Accordingly, Drumco Énergie’s sales representative, Danick Lépine, and technical director, David Vigeant, conducted onsite audits at each restaurant. The purpose was to determine the requisite power needs of each location, while also ascertaining the best installation locations (rooftop or ground) for each solution. They also wanted to devise a project plan for each site that would minimize disruption to the restaurant and its patrons during installation and commissioning.
The solution included ten Rehlko gensets, ranging from 36 kW to 100 kW, with corresponding open-transition Rehlko automatic transfer switches (ATS).
They also feature brushless, permanent magnet (or wound-field) alternators and vacuum-impregnated windings with fungus resistant epoxy varnish for dependability and long life. Given the regularity of inclement weather in the provinces of Québec and Ontario, each generator is CSA-Listed. In alignment with the Benny & Co. mission of creating a comfortable family atmosphere, the gensets are equipped with acoustic insulation packages to minimize operating noise. They also feature easily accessible doors and panels to facilitate service and local operation.
The solution for Benny & Co. includes:
Rehlko gas-powered generators, paired with sound-attenuated enclosures, and Rehlko KSS open-transition automatic transfer switches.

Enclosure

Gas Generator KG80

Automatic Transfer Switch ATS KSS
Results
The integrated emergency standby power solutions, featuring ten different Rehlko natural-gas gensets, were delivered, installed, and commissioned smoothly and quickly, with a minimum of disruption to the restaurants. They have also functioned perfectly . . . smoothly transitioning from grid to standby operation during several outages.
* Rehlko generators meet NFPA 110 requirements for critical operations including supplying power within 10 seconds of a utility outage.