Hop Shops and Maverik are the two convenience-store chains making it to the final 10 in Cincinnati-based Cintas Corp.’s 23rd annual America’s Best Restroom contest.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s finalists, each showcasing a commitment to cleanliness, functionality and innovative design,” said John Rudy, senior director of marketing at Cintas. “Well-maintained facilities play a vital role in customer satisfaction and retention. These finalists excel in both hygiene and design to create an outstanding restroom experience for all.”
The company is inviting the public to vote through Aug. 16 for their favorite finalist at bestrestroom.com.
Hop Shops
Hop Shops, Owensboro, Kentucky, is known for its disco-themed bathrooms. On Valentine’s Day of this year, a wedding took place in the Verona, Kentucky, store’s disco bathroom.
The bathrooms in six of petroleum products distributor and c-store retailer Valor Oil LLC’s Hop Shops locations feature a red button on the wall and a sign that says, “Do Not Push the Red Button.” When a curious customer inevitably does press the button, “the lights go down, the music starts, the colorful spotlights come on and a disco ball starts spinning,” the company said.
Cintas said of Hop Shops, “This groovy restroom at the Hop Shops convenience store features trendy tile and green soap dispensers. … This unique restroom is clean and stylish enough to host a wedding!”
Meanwhile, Hop Shops on July 31 will host a special event celebrating the 30th wedding anniversary of Sarah Souri and Ron Graczyk of Pittsburgh. Souri self-identifies as the “Disco Diva,” and the couple will celebrate their milestone anniversary at the Maineville, Ohio, Hop Shops’ Disco Bathroom. Souri has been featured in her local and national publications for her love of disco, Hop Shops said.
Beginning in 1966 and with three generations of the Emmick family, Hop Shops has six petroleum bulk plants in Kentucky and South Carolina; 132 retail c-store dealer locations, a race fuel division; and 10 Hop Shops in northern Kentucky, three in southern Ohio and one truck plaza in Owensboro.
Maverik
“Maverik’s restrooms deserve recognition for their commitment to cleanliness and comfort, with sparkling fixtures, spacious stalls and fresh amenities that make each pit stop along your adventure a pleasant experience,” Cintas said. “Maverik’s restrooms go the extra mile with touches like adventurous decor and even family-friendly features in over 500 stores across 13 western states.”
- Maverik is No. 12 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
The top 10 finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements, Cintas said. The winner will be honored with a place in the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame and receive a Cintas UltraClean restroom cleaning service and $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning from Cintas.
Maverik in 2023 bought Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go. Together, the two brands serve customers in more than 800 locations across 20 states.
Cintas commented on the other eight finalists:
- Indiana Caverns, Corydon, Indiana: “When you step into the restrooms, you’ll forget you’re in a cave. The spacious restrooms were designed for practicality and hygiene.”
- Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, Kansas City, Missouri: “The beautiful, all-gender restrooms in the new Sobela Ocean Aquarium were created with inclusiveness and sustainability in mind.”
- Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin: “The restrooms feature modern amenities and are numerous and spacious, ensuring shorter wait times.”
- MAD, Houston: “MAD’s eclectic restroom merges Spanish flair with a cosmic theme, paying homage to Houston’s Space City motif.”
- Maximilian Motorsports, Chehalis, Washington: “A stunning fusion of luxury and automotive passion, with every wall featuring iconic and unique automotive memorability meaningful to the owner and the shop.”
- Morning Glory, San Diego: “The restrooms feature floor-to-ceiling mirrors and mirrored tiles, creating a glimmering effect from every angle.”
- Natchez Trace State Park Visitor Center, Wildersville, Tennessee: “The unisex restroom at the Natchez Trace State Park Visitor Center is thoughtfully designed to enhance accessibility for all individuals.”
- Throne Restrooms, Brentwood, Maryland: “The restrooms are innovative, high-tech portable restrooms designed to provide a modern and hygienic experience.”
Last year, the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport won the title of having America’s Best Restroom for its smart restroom system, coupled with a spacious design and fully enclosed stalls for privacy.
Cintas Corp. provides products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. Offerings include uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service.
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