Should You Get Busy in a Burger King Bathroom?
For those of you familiar with the 80’s lyrical interpretation of that title, let me reassure you…I don’t mean like THAT.
What I’m talking about, is an important issue that fails to get the attention it needs, and deserves. An issue that affects our economy at a very fundamental level.
Every day, the wheels of commerce are driven forward by the foot soldiers of commercial progress: Salesmen. Professional men and women whose job it is to uncover the needs of their clients, establish trust and authority, tear down buying barriers and bring home the bacon.
And for those financial fighters, especially the traveling troopers…there is a question that can (and does) dramatically affect their performance on a daily basis: Where do I stop to go to the bathroom?
Choosing the right roadside bathroom has serious consequences. How one looks and feels plays a significant role in their attitude, and in their ability to focus. And this is what I’m here to tell you: Where you stop, when you just gotta stop…makes a big difference.
Typically, stop choices are between the following: Gas stations, Rest Stops, Restaurants and Miscellaneous Retail.
And over the years, I’ve isolated what I believe to be the key variables: Brand, Foot Traffic & Clientele.
Let’s explore:
Brand: The bigger the brand, the more frequent the stop option. But…the bigger the brand, the more crowded the venue. An issue that can be felt not only in waiting time, but in cleanliness. For example: With the sheer amount of people that visit a McDonald’s, it is nearly impossible for the employees to keep the restrooms very clean.
Foot Traffic: As mentioned, brand recognition can certainly drive foot traffic, but there are also some other factors that increase activity, and thus decrease cleanliness. For example: When you’re in the middle-of-nowhere, and it’s the only place to stop. Yeah. And how about the truck stop that you’ve never heard of, but that is hosting tens of thousands (seemingly) of 53 footers. Chances are pretty high that the big room hosting the showers and the toilets, is a little damp.
Clientele: This is a factor that too often goes under-analyzed. It is reserved for the most methodical of mercantile madmen (and women). But when choosing the right venue for sales preparation, there is one thing to remember: The older the demographic, the better. The older the demographic, the cleaner the space. The older demographic, the warmer the seats. The older the demographic, the more understanding you will receive from the staff. They tend to be an easier-going lot, less consumed with quick tips, and more concerned with the customer experience.
So what do I suggest?
Available in 45 states, my suggestion is nationally recognized. It caters to a reasonable and good-hearted clientele. It is always busy, but the footprint is always large enough to not feel crowded. It is not an establishment dominated by deep fryers, and the greasy floor film that accompanies them. And it always has an enormous lobby (of sorts). A gift shop that precedes the main eating area, and comfortably masks the entrance to the bathroom.
From me to you, weary traveler…I give you: Cracker Barrel.
Would love to hear what you think, and to draw some attention to this critical issue.
I think I’ll tweet this article at Cracker Barrel. Perhaps they’ll be flattered, and return the favor of a back link.
Then again, they’ve already been very kind, over the years, to this periodic purveyor of their perfect porcelain.
