Why natural gas is a key ingredient in Arizona’s restaurant industry success

Steve Chucri

Submitted photo/Arizona Restaurant Association

Ultimately, natural gas is a smart and strategic business decision that affects profitability, reliability and risk management across myriad industries. From a business perspective, it goes beyond a lower utility bill and serves as a core strategic lever for growth, efficiency and resilience.”

As the Arizona Restaurant Association closes the book on another successful 2025 fall Arizona Restaurant Week in support of our local restaurant community, we also highlight an industry that fuels these kitchens and economic growth throughout our state: natural gas.

Particularly among businesses within the Arizona hospitality industry, natural gas is a popular choice, and for good reason.

According to the National Restaurant Association, gas is a cost-effective choice that provides ease of use and a long lifespan. Restaurants around the country support its use, too — 96% of professional chefs prefer cooking with natural gas. Supporting that are diners; 70% of consumers feel that natural gas is vital to the success of the restaurant industry.

There are more than 12,000 restaurants in Arizona. Their owners and chefs work hard to present delicious, high-quality dishes with unmistakable flavors that keep customers coming back. To that end, they are not willing to compromise when it comes to quality, but they do have to keep costs in mind.

According to the American Gas Association, “natural gas ranges tend to have longer shelf lives and lower operating costs ... making gas ranges 10 percent to 30 percent more affordable...” Furthermore, the AGA states that the affordability of natural gas not only helps restaurants stay in business, but the cost is projected to be half to one-third the price of other fuels through 2050.

The benefit of natural gas extends beyond the hospitality industry. From a broader perspective, it plays a vital role in supporting the community’s growth as a reliable, sustainable and preferred energy solution for homes and businesses. The AGA reports that natural gas is one of the lowest household utility bills and those households that use natural gas for heating, cooking and drying clothes save an average of $1,132 per year.

In addition, a host of other industries — and workers — rely heavily on natural gas, including alternative fuel vehicle supply chain, semiconductors, manufacturers, aerospace and defense, lodging and tourism, health care, rock products, agribusiness and real estate development. The natural gas industry supports millions of jobs nationwide.

A reliable energy source, natural gas not only safely fuels homes and businesses, it is 92% efficient when used at the source, supports economic development and growth in communities, and plays an essential role in addressing sustainability goals and supporting a diverse energy future.

Ultimately, natural gas is a smart and strategic business decision that affects profitability, reliability and risk management across myriad industries. From a business perspective, it goes beyond a lower utility bill and serves as a core strategic lever for growth, efficiency and resilience.

Southwest Gas has been serving customers in Arizona since 1957. With a robust energy delivery infrastructure of more than 31,000 miles of distribution pipeline, it provides safe and reliable service to homes and businesses while innovating sustainable energy solutions and creating a positive impact that fuels communities’ growth.

Editor’s note: Mesa native Steve Chucri is president and CEO of the Phoenix-based Arizona Restaurant Association. He lives in Paradise Valley. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.