RaceTrac is rolling out smart toilet seats from Washie at its travel center locations in seven states. This follows a three-month pilot program at the Atlanta-based convenience-store chain.
The seats are being installed in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, South Carolina and Kentucky travel centers, Washie said.
Washie smart toilet seats allow users to clean it with an alcohol-based solution that cleans the seat and leaves a refreshing scent, the Riverton, Utah-based company said. Customers are instructed by a sign above the toilet to grab toilet paper, hold it in front of a sensor until foam is released and then wipe the foam over the seat to clean it.
The seats eliminate the need for traditional toilet seat covers, Washie said, which research shows are absorbent and allow “anything unpleasant” on the seat to seep through.
The seats were first tested at RaceTrac’s busiest travel center in Atlanta, and the launch garnered “overwhelmingly positive feedback,” Washie said, with 95% of respondents indicating they felt significantly more comfortable using the restroom with Washie seats.
- RaceTrac is No. 17 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by store count.
According to Washie, one user commented, “Actually my second time using this restroom. Came back to this gas station knowing it had Washie here. I like it. Feels cleaner.”
Ninety-six percent of customers said they would return to RaceTrac because of the innovation in the restroom, Washie said.
“We are thrilled that RaceTrac has chosen to expand the use of our smart toilet seats across multiple states,” said Rob Poleki, CEO of Washie. “The feedback we’ve received has been incredibly positive, and this rollout is a testament to the value our product brings. We look forward to continuing our partnership with RaceTrac to provide their customers with the best possible restroom experience.”
The expanded seats, which are in about two dozen locations, are still under a pilot program, RaceTrac Senior Communications Manager John Friess told CSP.
RaceTrac has nearly 800 convenience stores and travel centers across 13 states under the RaceTrac and RaceWay brands.
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