Restaurant energy broker — for kitchens that run hot, late, every night
Restaurants live on the demand-charge tightrope: peak service windows, cooking gas, refrigeration around the clock. We price all three properly — together.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you.
Typical usage profile
- Annual electricity: 60,000 kWh – 220,000 kWh
- Peak demand: 25–90 kVA
- Tariff that usually wins: TOU with peak-window management; bundled gas where available
- Gas (where applicable): 200–800 GJ/yr typical for à la carte kitchens
Where the bill goes wrong for restaurants
- service-window demand spikes
- cold-room load 24/7
- gas + electricity on different retailers (and different bills)
Worked example
Assumptions: Brisbane restaurant, ~150 MWh + 350 GJ gas, switched both fuels onto a single retailer with bundled discount
Retailers that fit restaurants
- ✓ Origin Business
- ✓ AGL Business
- ✓ EnergyAustralia
- ✓ Shell Energy SME
Retailer panel we shop on your behalf
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Restaurant energy — common questions
Can I bundle gas and electricity on one bill?
Yes — Origin, AGL, EnergyAustralia, and Shell Energy can all bundle. Sometimes the bundled discount is real; sometimes splitting them across two retailers wins on price. We test both before recommending.
What's a demand charge and why is mine so high?
Demand charges are the highest 15- or 30-minute usage peak in the month, multiplied by a $/kVA rate. If you've got AC cycling on at the same time as kitchen equipment, that peak compounds. The fix is usually a tariff that prices demand more fairly — or moving you off demand-tariffs altogether if your usage is too small to need them.
When should I renew my contract?
60–90 days before your current term ends. Don't let it roll over to default rates — those are usually 15–30% higher than what's available on the market. Send us your bill 60 days out and we'll re-quote.
Will my power get cut off when I switch?
No. Switching retailers doesn't touch the wires or your meter. Same poles, same wires, same network operator (Energex for nearly all SEQ). You just get a different name on your invoice — and a better number.
How long does a switch take?
Typical SEQ small-business switch: 10–20 business days from signing the Letter of Authority. We send the LoA, you sign, we lodge with the new retailer, they handle the meter-data hand-off with the network. Your old contract ends, the new one starts.
What's a demand charge and why is mine so high?
Demand charges are the highest 15- or 30-minute usage peak in the month, multiplied by a $/kVA rate. If you've got AC cycling on at the same time as kitchen equipment, that peak compounds. The fix is usually a tariff that prices demand more fairly — or moving you off demand-tariffs altogether if your usage is too small to need them.
Am I on the right small-business tariff?
Probably not. Retailers don't migrate you automatically when better tariffs become available. We look at your usage profile, your peak demand, and your trading hours, then map you to the tariff your bill actually wants.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you.
When we move your account to a new retailer, that retailer pays us a commission — partly upfront, partly as a trail while you're with them. Your rate is your rate. There's no markup, no broker fee on your invoice, no monthly subscription.
We disclose the commission existence on every quote. If you want to know the exact dollar amount on a deal, ask. We'll tell you.
This is why we win on transparency: we'd rather show you the maths than dress up the savings.
Restaurant owner? Send the bill — we'll quote it
Drop your most recent electricity or gas bill. I'll come back with what your retailer panel can do, in plain English, usually same day.
We're paid by the energy retailer when you switch — never by you. No obligation, no fee, your details stay with Smarta Switch.
- Usually replied same day
- We handle the switch end-to-end
- No supply interruption
Ready to see what your panel can do?
Send us your bill — we'll come back with real numbers, not a sales call.