How a gas stop and a dirty bathroom was a fail for Royal Farms
The Hidden Cost of a Dirty Bathroom: A Case Study in Lost Business
A picture is worth a thousand words—and when it comes to restrooms, it can also be worth thousands in lost revenue. The photo above, taken in a public restroom while getting gas at a Royal Farms convenience store, tells a cautionary tale. Dirty flooring around a urinal, visible stains, and general neglect create a perception that cleanliness isn’t a priority. For businesses in hospitality, food service, or retail, that impression is costly.
Cleanliness directly affects customer trust and brand image. A restroom that looks like this one can make visitors question the sanitation of other parts of the establishment—like food prep areas or merchandise handling. In today’s era of online reviews and viral social media posts, a single photo can do real damage.
A Harris Interactive survey found that 94% of adults would avoid a business in the future if they encountered a dirty restroom. That includes gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores—the very core of a chain like Royal Farms.
Maintaining clean and well-kept bathrooms isn’t just about hygiene; it’s a business imperative. It reflects an organization’s commitment to customer care and operational excellence. In contrast, restrooms like the one shown above convey neglect, which can ripple out to customer retention, reputation, and even employee morale.
The takeaway? Invest in a proper cleaning schedule, remove carpeting in wet areas, use appropriate floor finishes, and perform regular audits. A clean restroom may not win awards—but a dirty one could lose you your customers.
Feel free to share this information with your customers.
If you missed last weeks SSB here is the list of Bullen brand products effective against measles-
Here are our disinfectants, dilution rates, and their dwell time from the EPA Q list
Airx Brand
RX75 (RTU) -1839-83 – 10 min
RX79+ (RTU) – 498-179 – 10 min
RX89+ (RTU) – 498-62 – 10 min
RX44 ACE (2 oz per g)- 10324-154 – 10 min
RX78 Plus (1 oz per g)- 10324-155 – 10 min
RX Spray N Go – 1839-220 – 2 min
Citro Rx – 348-35 – 5 min
Truekleen Brand
Poten AB – (RTU)1839-83 – 10 min
Kleen 64 – (2 oz per g) 10324-154 – 10 min
C-1000 – (1/4 oz per g) 1839-86 – 10 min
3. How to Disinfect Properly
Clean first: Remove dirt, dust, and organic material
Apply disinfectant liberally to surfaces
Follow dwell time: Let the product sit wet on the surface for the amount of time listed on the label (usually 1–10 minutes)
Air out rooms: Measles can linger in the air for hours, so proper ventilation is key
Focus on high-touch surfaces: doorknobs, light switches, chairs, handrails, remote controls, and countertops
Jancast announcement – Jancast.com is now available for download and subscribed to on most popular pod feeds like Apple Music and Spotify; just search for Jancast.com
If you want to listen to this week’s audio-only show, here is the link
Jancast # 188 is up-
Let’s talk trade shows- Special guests and Bullen factory sales force, Steve Devito, Business Development Specialist, and Tom Cronin, New England Regional Sales Manager.
We discuss the NFMT / Clean Building Conference that was last week ( and ICW celebration)