On the Rocks Italian Bistro Locks In $7,988/Year in Commercial Energy Savings
A Burleson, TX italian restaurant switched to a fixed-rate electricity contract, saving 1.9020¢ per kWh and projecting $7,988 in annual savings at stabilized usage.
Estimated Annual Savings
$665.70/mo · 12-month fixed rate · Major / Star Energy
The Situation
On the Rocks Italian Bistro is a new restaurant preparing to open in Burleson, TX. Owner Michael had access to one month of reference usage data from the previous tenant at the same location — approximately 5,316 kWh — captured roughly a year before the planned opening. Based on his planned hours, kitchen equipment, and seating capacity, the team projected stabilized monthly usage of around 35,000 kWh once the restaurant reached full operation. Michael reached out to VoltCheckr before signing with any supplier. His goal: lock in a competitive rate before opening day, when his options were widest.
The Analysis
VoltCheckr pulled current market rates for Burleson's service territory and modeled three operating scenarios — pre-opening (5,000 kWh/mo), ramp-up (20,000 kWh/mo), and stabilized full operation (35,000 kWh/mo) — to project savings at every stage of growth. At stabilized usage, the standard market supply rate of 7.8420¢/kWh was benchmarked against a negotiated fixed rate of 5.9400¢/kWh through Major / Star Energy — a reduction of 1.90¢ per kWh on supply. Delivery and tax charges remain the same regardless of supplier, making the all-in rate comparison clean and transparent: 15.9746¢ vs. 14.0726¢. The recommendation was a 12-month fixed-rate contract — short enough to gather real load data during the restaurant's first year of operation, long enough to lock in today's favorable rate ahead of Texas summer peak pricing.
Rate Comparison
| Metric | Previous | New Rate |
|---|---|---|
| All-In Rate (¢/kWh) | 15.9746¢ | 14.0726¢ |
| Monthly Cost | $5,591.11 | $4,925.41 |
| Annual Cost | $67,093.32 | $59,104.92 |
| Annual Savings | $7,988/yr |
The Result
Michael signed a 12-month fixed-rate agreement with Major / Star Energy at 5.9400¢/kWh supply, starting May 11, 2026. At projected stabilized usage of 35,000 kWh/month, the contract is expected to save $665.70/month and $7,988 annually compared to the standard market rate. At the end of the 12-month term, VoltCheckr will pull actual load data from the restaurant's first full year and run a new rate analysis — giving Michael the leverage to negotiate a longer-term contract backed by real usage history rather than estimates.
“We hadn't even opened our doors yet, and VoltCheckr already locked in a rate that's projected to save us nearly $8,000 a year. For a new restaurant, that kind of certainty on your overhead is everything.”
— Michael, Owner, On the Rocks Italian Bistro
Supplier: Major / Star Energy · Product: Fixed Rate · Term: 12 months
Projected savings are estimates based on modeled usage scenarios. Actual delivery, demand charges, taxes, and usage may vary. This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a binding offer or guarantee of savings.