Summer travel: can more potty stops mean more business?

Let’s look at what summer travel does to restroom traffic. A massive 76% of Americans plan road trips during the summer. A trip to see grandma, Disneyland, the beach, Radiator Springs, or even the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota–nothing beats a summer road trip. 

Convenience store traffic jumps too. From May to June 2024, gas stations and c-stores saw an 11% increase in foot traffic compared to the previous year. That’s nearly 30% higher than 2019 levels.

Merchandise sales rise as well. Places like Wally’s Travel Center report 20 to 30% more merchandise purchases during the early summer. And since 56% of Americans say they’re choosing to drive rather than fly in 2025, that traffic won’t slow down anytime soon.

This means your restrooms are going to be busy. Very busy.

Restroom conditions influence buying behavior

Clean restrooms are more than a courtesy. They’re rainmakers. Gas stations with above-average restroom reviews bring in about 33% more foot traffic than those with below-average reviews, according to GasBuddy.

And here’s where it gets interesting. 78% of people who use the restroom at a convenience store will frequently or occasionally make a purchase. That’s not just a coincidence. After using the restroom, many customers grab a coffee, soda, or a pack of gum. Because after unloading in the restroom, you gotta reload on a Monster and mini donuts.

But when the restroom is dirty, nearly two-thirds of customers leave and go elsewhere. That’s a huge missed opportunity.

A clean restroom signals a well-run business

Inside sales make up nearly three-fourths of a c-store’s gross profit. Most drivers never come inside unless they need to use the bathroom. But when they do, your restroom becomes their first impression.

A spotless bathroom shows customers that your business pays attention to the details. That’s why Buc-ee’s built an entire reputation on having the cleanest restrooms on the highway. Some of their locations bring in more than 4.6 million visitors a year. On peak days, they pull in one million dollars in sales. Their secret? They make the restroom experience memorable, even marketable.

Dirty bathrooms damage more than your reputation

Surveys show that 50% of customers won’t return after encountering a filthy restroom. And over 80% say it leaves a negative impression. Customers also connect restroom cleanliness with how the rest of the business is run. One survey showed that 86% of adults believe a dirty restroom means the kitchen is dirty too.

And they don’t keep those opinions to themselves. TikTok, Yelp, and Reddit are filled with horror stories from public restrooms. People take pictures. They leave reviews. Sometimes entire road trips are remembered for the worst bathroom break.

Apps like “Sit or Squat” might be dated, but they prove one thing. People care about where they poop.

Parents feel the pressure most

For parents, especially moms, a dirty restroom is a dealbreaker. When you're traveling with toddlers, using a public toilet becomes a chore. That’s why many parents carry their own supplies. Disinfecting wipes, seat covers, and emergency hand sanitizer are standard gear.

No one wants to hover with a two-year-old over a seat that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in days.

Toilet paper nests and paper covers aren’t the answer

Most people try to protect themselves using whatever’s available. Toilet paper nests. Flimsy seat covers. Sometimes both. These options feel safer but only make things worse.

Paper ends up everywhere. Trash overflows. And worst of all, nothing actually feels clean. And here’s a newsflash: paper seat covers are absorbent. Think about it. The heat from your tushy activates moisture in the paper and absorbs whatever nasty is on the seat. So if you do manage to get a seat cover down without tearing it, is it really protecting you?

These outdated solutions show customers that the business isn’t thinking about their needs. That restroom is now a source of stress, not relief.

Now for the good news: you can turn this around

Public toilet seats have gone untouched for decades. But that’s exactly why there’s room to improve. And not just improve but impress.

You can upgrade the experience and show your customers you care.

That’s where Washie comes in.

What Is Washie? A smarter public toilet seat

Washie offers a better restroom experience with a toilet seat that includes a built-in cleaning system. It allows the user to quickly clean the seat using an alcohol-based cleaning solution. No paper mess. No guessing whether the seat is clean. Just a better experience. And it smells great too!

Travelers notice. Parents appreciate it. And yes, customers talk about it in a good way.

One Washie user said, “Never thought I‘d trust a toilet seat at a gas station, but this one practically winked at me and said 'I got you.'”

Try Washie for 30 days

If you manage a public restroom in a travel center, airport, stadium, hotel, or event venue, there’s never been a better time to upgrade.

Try Washie for 30 days in your busiest location.

See how it changes the conversation around your bathrooms. Clean seats. Less mess. Better customer experience.