Case Study Overview
Dunne & Crescenzi Group operates multiple restaurants across Dublin, combining traditional Italian cuisine with authentic hospitality. With several commercial electricity and gas contracts approaching renewal, the business needed to secure competitive new rates before being moved onto expensive out-of-contract tariffs.
Working with Utilityfair, Dunne & Crescenzi reviewed contract options across all suppliers and secured a new procurement strategy before renewal deadlines. This helped the business avoid a projected increase of €29,018 per annum in commercial energy costs.
Key highlights: Avoided €29,018 in annual energy cost increases by reviewing electricity and gas contracts early.
| Dunne & Crescenzi Energy Review: Key Figures | |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Location | Dublin |
| Annual Usage | Gas: 321,928 kWh Electricity: 267,715 kWh |
| Annual Spend | €109,416 combining electricity and gas costs |
| Procurement Strategy | Wholesale electricity tracker Fixed price gas contract |
| Contract Length | 12 Months |
| Outcome | €29,018 savings on commercial energy |
Customer Testimonial: Dunne & Crescenzi on Working With Utilityfair
"Managing energy contracts across multiple restaurant locations can be challenging, particularly when keeping track of contract renewals.
Dan from Utilityfair reviewed our energy accounts, compared contract options across all suppliers, and helped us avoid moving onto expensive out-of-contract rates, saving €29,018 in additional energy costs.
The process was simple and transparent from start to finish, and we would highly recommend Utilityfair to any business looking to better manage their energy costs."
— Umer Malik , Financial Controller, Dunne & Crescenzi Group
The Challenge: Avoiding Expensive Out-of-Contract Energy Rates
The Dunne & Crescenzi Group operates multiple restaurants across Dublin with a combined annual electricity and gas spend of €109,416. Managing energy procurement across multiple locations added complexity, with contracts reaching renewal at different times.
Like most restaurants, energy is a significant operating cost, driven by the continuous use of commercial ovens, refrigeration, lighting, and food preparation equipment across all locations.
With several contracts approaching renewal, the business needed to secure competitive rates before expiry to maintain cost control and protect margins. Without intervention, the accounts risked rolling onto out-of-contract tariffs, which would have increased annual energy costs by approximately 27%.
How Dunne & Crescenzi Worked with Utilityfair to Secure Competitive Energy Rates
Utilityfair carried out a detailed review of the Dunne & Crescenzi Group’s commercial energy contracts, consolidating electricity and gas bills across all restaurant locations into a single view of consumption, spend and contract end dates. This allowed us to clearly identify exposure to higher pricing and potential out-of-contract risk across the portfolio.
We analysed usage patterns, meter structures and historical billing data to understand how energy was being consumed across kitchens, refrigeration systems, lighting and daily service operations. Contract expiry dates were also mapped across all meters to highlight where timing risk existed.
This provided a clear benchmark of current pricing versus live market rates, allowing Utilityfair to assess the cost impact of different procurement approaches ahead of renewal.
We then compared pricing across all suppliers, contract types and contract lengths to present the full range of available market options. Working closely with the group’s financial controller, each option was explained clearly, along with its commercial implications, to support informed decision-making.
Following this review, a procurement strategy was agreed that best suited the business’s requirements. This resulted in a split approach: gas contracts were secured on a fixed-price basis to provide cost certainty, while electricity was retained on a wholesale tracker to continue benefiting from favourable market conditions for a further period.
This approach ensured the business avoided rolling onto out-of-contract tariffs and protected them from an estimated €29,018 increase in annual energy costs. Once agreed, Utilityfair managed the full contracting and switching process across all sites, ensuring continuity of supply with no operational disruption.
Results: €29,018 in Avoided Energy Cost Increases
- Total Impact: Avoided €29,018 in annual energy cost increases across electricity and gas contracts.
- Gas Contracts: €5,943 in annual savings by moving from a wholesale tracker to a fixed-price structure, locking in cost certainty and reducing exposure to future market volatility.
- Electricity Contracts: €23,075 in annual savings by retaining a wholesale tracker position, aligned to market conditions and the business’s risk appetite at renewal.
- Procurement Outcome: The split strategy delivered a balanced approach to cost control and flexibility, optimising energy procurement across all restaurants and avoiding exposure to out-of-contract pricing.
Are You Looking for a Better Energy Deal?
Call 01 547 0999 or click below to request a free energy review. We will assess your current energy contracts, highlight any potential savings opportunities, and advise on the most suitable procurement options for your business. If you are happy to proceed, we will arrange the new contracts for you with no disruption to your business whatsoever. Utilityfair helps businesses reduce energy costs through competitive procurement.
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