News

LYFE Kitchen certified for wellness as part of pilot program

December 5, 2013

The world's first WELL certified restaurants were unveiled today by Delos and LYFE Kitchen Restaurant. The new LYFE Kitchen Restaurants in Tarzana, Calif., and Chicago are now certified under the "WELL Building Standard" pilot program.

According to a news release, both were built to offer guests and employees a dining and working environment that supports holistic wellness.

LYFE Kitchen's new Tarzana and Chicago restaurants represent the company's third and fourth locations and the first to implement Delos' wellness designs and features. LYFE Kitchen plans to WELL certify all new restaurants moving forward, which includes a pipeline of 250 new restaurants throughout the next five years.

The new locations incorporate Delos' designs and wellness features, such as advanced air purification, water filtration systems, innovative lighting strategies, healthy entrances with dirt and virus track-in controls and anti-microbial coatings on common restaurant touch points.

"LYFE Kitchen and Delos share a common goal to improve the total well-being of individuals, so we welcomed this collaboration with Delos to pursue the WELL Building Standard," said Mike Roberts, CEO of LYFE Kitchen. "Delos' groundbreaking wellness designs allow us to provide a better environment and healthier lifestyle for both LYFE Kitchen diners and employees. While many guests who walk through the door won't realize that these improvements and standards were made on their behalf, we know we are doing the right thing simply because it is in the best interests of our customers, the environment and consumers everywhere."

Features that are part of the certification include:

• WELLShield: Photo-catalytic coating on common touchpoints such as tables, countertops and doors breaks down bacteria, viruses and VOCs on bacteria-susceptible surfaces to prevent the spreading of germs and bacteria within the restaurant.
• Advanced Air Filtration: The HEPA-standard air purification system reduces allergens, toxins and pathogens.
• Advanced Water Purification: Reduces disinfectant byproducts, chlorine, pesticides and some pharmaceutical and personal care.
• Advanced Lighting: Helps to minimize disruption of the body's circadian system, enhance productivity and provide appropriate visual acuity to diners and employees through an advanced lighting system that contains controllable and dimmable LED lighting fixtures, along with light and occupancy sensors.
• Non-Porous Countertops: Nonporous surfaces prevent the collection of food particles that encourage bacteria growth.
• Non-Porous Cutting Boards: Prevents the collection of food particles that encourage bacteria growth.
• Separate Cutting Boards: For meat, fish and vegetables: prevents cross-contamination and the spreading of illness-causing bacteria.
• Herbarium: Enhances air quality and a more natural setting.
• Dietary Info on Display: Provides nutrition awareness and promotes healthy eating habits.
• Cleaning Protocol: Specialized chemical-free cleaning supplies and techniques for cleaning protocols including vacuuming, mopping, dusting and ventilation cleaning.
• EMF Shielding: Protects against electrical equipment and wiring that emanates disruptive EMFs.
• Healthy Entrance: Specialized entrance and doors with dirt track-in mats and areas that reduce chemicals, biological contaminants and other air quality hazards from entering the restaurant.

"The opening of the WELL Certified LYFE Kitchen restaurant represents an exciting new avenue for Delos to introduce our evidence-based wellness designs in the restaurant and food industry segment," said Delos Founder Paul Scialla. "Our plans to implement the WELL Building Standard in LYFE's next 250 restaurants around the nation mark a significant step forward in furthering Delos' mission to improve the way people live and enhance their quality of life through the built environment."

Read more about health initiatives.