by Brianna Crandall — November 26, 2012—Specialized business services and products provider Cintas Corporation has announced the winners of its seriously fun America’s Best Restroom Contest, with a mammoth convenience store in Texas taking first place. Voters asserted that the New Braunfels Buc-ee’s has a bathroom as big as Texas and some of the most spotless toilets in the Lone Star State, making this pit stop with 83 toilets perfect for any road warrior and fit for a king.
The 68,000-square-foot service stop plays host to thousands of vehicles a day with passengers filling up on fuel, grabbing food and using the facilities. “Buc-ee’s brand of convenience stores knows firsthand that clean bathrooms mean big business,” Cintas’ Market Development Representative Gary Gonzaba told onlookers at the award event.
“We invite everyone to stop in to try out our award-winning restrooms,” said Buc-ee’s co-owner, Beaver Aplin. “Maybe Buc-ee’s will be our city’s new claim to fame, the ‘Taj Ma-Stall’ of Texas … a tourist attraction in and of itself,” Aplin said jokingly.
Cintas’ Senior Marketing Manager John Engel noted that the contest recognizes public restroom facilities that serve the local community, and pointed out the Buc-ee’s is “an easily accessible, family friendly, well-maintained, convenient and free facility.” New Braunfels officials lauded Buc-ee’s for creating new jobs and generating revenue for the city. Customers said they appreciate the great atmosphere, and how spacious and clean the facilities are.
The 2012 contest attracted nominations from a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, concert venues, football stadiums, night clubs and museums. Ten finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The top five spots went to:
- First Place: Buc-ee’s; New Braunfels, Texas
- Second Place: Liberty Market; Gilbert, Arizona
- Third Place: Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel; Chicago, Illinois
- Fourth Place: Hollywood Bowl; Hollywood, California
- Fifth Place: Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Virginia
Cintas launched the America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2002 to honor those businesses across the country that place hygiene and style at the top of their priority lists. “This contest is undoubtedly fun, but it also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters for good health and good business and proprietors recognize the parallel between clean washrooms and customer retention,” said Engel.
