Cintas Names Bancroft Park’s Self-Cleaning Restrooms America’s Best Restroom®
CINCINNATI — November 19, 2020 — Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), is proud to name the TikTok-famous restroom at Bancroft Park in Colorado Springs, CO the winner of the 2020 America’s Best Restroom® contest. As this year’s winner, the City of Colorado Springs will get to properly crown their golden thrones with prizes from Cintas. This includes a Cintas UltraClean® restroom cleaning service and $2,500 in Cintas products and services for restroom cleaning or facility management to keep their restrooms Ready for the Workday®, along with a coveted spot in the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame.
The self-cleaning restroom in Bancroft Park is a welcome amenity for residents and visitors who are seeking a clean park facility. It holds three restrooms, including an ADA-compliant option, and each comes with green, red and yellow lights to show availability. Soap, water, toilet paper and a dryer are all activated with the wave of a hand. The restrooms are set up to self-clean after every 30 uses, and a park maintenance supervisor is alerted via an app when toilet paper or other supplies are running low. The exterior is wrapped with historic photos and facts about the historic Old Colorado City neighborhood where it’s located.
“We’re very proud to win this award since opening these new restrooms just a few short months ago,” said Karen Palus, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director. “The amount of recognition we’ve received is a testament to the value people place in hygienic and memorable public restrooms. We’re grateful for everyone who voted for our facility.”
In its 19th year, the America’s Best Restroom contest, hosted by Cintas, celebrates innovative and hygienic public restrooms across the country. Bancroft Park was one of 10 finalists that were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The public had the opportunity to vote for the following 10 finalists (in alphabetical order) between September 24th and October 19th at www.bestrestroom.com/us/:
AirTrain JFK’S Jamaica Station – New York, NY
Bancroft Park – Colorado Springs, Colorado
DFW Airport – DFW Airport, Texas
Gaslight Bar & Grill – Cincinnati, Ohio
Greeley Square Park – New York, New York
Kimpton Muse Hotel – New York, New York
Portland Japanese Garden – Portland, Oregon
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – Scottsdale, Arizona
Swift’s Attic – Austin, Texas
The Guild Hotel – San Diego, California
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, occupant expectations are higher than they’ve ever been,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “We’re proud to honor the City of Colorado Springs with this award as they’ve implemented technology to make cleaning a priority at their unique restrooms.”
Last year, the America’s Best Restroom award went to the Nashville Zoo for featuring two innovative exhibits. The men’s Entry Village restroom is home to a Boelen’s python, and the women’s restroom in Expedition Peru is the home to the Zoo’s family of six cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered primate species from South America.
You can nominate a restroom for the 20th annual America’s Best Restroom contest here. For more information about the America’s Best Restroom contest, contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 708-908-0898.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index
Cintas Reveals the 2020 America’s Best Restroom® Contest Finalists
Vote for your favorite restroom now through October 19th
CINCINNATI — September 23, 2020 — Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), is proud to announce the 10 finalists for the 2020 America’s Best Restroom® contest. The 19th annual contest celebrates innovative and hygienic public restrooms across the country. Now through Oct. 19th the public is invited to vote for their favorite finalist at www.bestrestroom.com/us/.
“This year’s contest recognizes a wide range of finalists, each offering a one-of-a-kind restroom experience with the latest technology or imaginative decor,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the importance of clean restrooms to the forefront, we’re proud to spotlight these unique and well-maintained restrooms that provide comfortable spaces for guests.”
The 2020 America’s Best Restroom Finalists include:
AirTrain JFK’SJamaica Station – New York, NY
The new, spacious restrooms at AirTrain JFK’s Jamaica Station are equipped with modern designs and are nearly three times as large as the previous restrooms, with wider stalls to account for travelers’ luggage. Both men’s and women’s rooms are equipped with changing tables for families traveling with small children. In addition, the Port Authority has added a spacious family-friendly restroom to provide more options for those traveling with family members of all ages.
Bancroft Park – Colorado Springs, Colorado
What citizens always want in parks is a restroom that’s clean, which is why the Bancroft Park self-cleaning restrooms is the perfect solution. The facility holds three restrooms, including an ADA-compliant option, and each comes with green, red and yellow lights to show availability. Soap, water, toilet paper and a dryer are all activated with the wave of a hand. The restrooms are set up to self-clean after every 30 uses, and a park maintenance supervisor is alerted via an app when toilet paper or other supplies are running low.
DFW Airport – DFW Airport, Texas
The DFW Airport integrated smart restroom technology into all of its gate-side restrooms to include aesthetically pleasing fixtures, touch free dispensing, consumable tracking, and other smart restroom features, allowing staff to operate on demand, rather than a time-scheduled approach for making sure the bathrooms are cleaned and well stocked. Digital signage outside each restroom tells guests how many stalls are open, when cleaning is in progress, and indicator lights inside let them know which stalls are available. These features will help with social distancing efforts during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as data for the cleaning staff to efficiently manage increased cleaning protocols.
Gaslight Bar & Grill – Cincinnati, OH
The restrooms in Gaslight Bar & Grill are a mix of classic and new, like the restaurant and the former library in Clifton, OH. Classic Bianco Onion marble tile on the walls compliment the white/grey flower mosaic tile floor in the women’s restroom and the large scale dark gray stone floor tile in the men’s restroom. Copper flecked stone like sink counters, beveled glass mirrors, as well as gold wallpaper and wall sconce lights add sparkle. Contrasts of black iron details and custom wood partitions and doors provide classic world touches. Touchless faucets and trash cans are sleek and hygienic combining the best of modern and classic. The mix of materials, textures and details reflect the attention given by the owners and chef to the Gaslight Bar & Grill.
Greeley Square Park – New York, New York: Situated in Greeley Square Park and named for the American newspaper editor and publisher and politician Horace Greeley, the park’s restroom takes stand-alone outdoor facilities to new heights. Built and maintained by the 34th Street Partnership, a non-profit business improvement district, the Greeley restroom hosts hundreds of visitors daily, including local workers, tourists, and shoppers. The restroom was renovated in January 2019 and its amenities include historic photographs, classical music, rotating seat covers, full-time attendant, Italian tile, fresh flowers, and an HVAC system for seasonal climate control.
Kimpton Muse Hotel – New York City, New York
The bathrooms at the Kimpton Muse Hotel allow guests and diners at the adjacent Muse Bar to pick a stall according to their personality or mood. There are six “sin-inspired” unisex stalls, each with a different theme and jaw-dropping design scheme: Glam, Vain, Rebel, Passion, Macho, and Envy. Upon entering the white restroom area – meant to represent purgatory – each stall opens directly into a common lounge area designed accordingly to its name.
Portland Japanese Garden – Portland, Oregon
Portland Japanese Garden’s restroom strikes the perfect balance between practical and beautiful. Located in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center, all materials in the bathroom – from the texture of the tiles to the design of the fixtures – were chosen for their standalone beauty, as well as functional works of art. These understated shaped and forms are aligned with the Japanese aesthetic of minimalism and with the qualities of a Japanese garden, which helps the mind and body feel serene and tranquil, even in the most vulnerable state of being.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – Scottsdale, Arizona
The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is accustomed to standing ovations for the world-class artists who grace its stage each season, but a 2005 renovation of its restrooms has likewise earned rave reviews. Designed by award-winning Scottsdale architect John Douglas, the Center’s upgraded restrooms are sleek and modern with terrazzo flooring, glass-tiled walls and a generous number of spacious, stainless-steel stalls that offer maximum privacy. Both men’s and women’s restrooms are fully accessible and feature changing stations. An ingenious lighting system can be custom programmed for certain demographics or holidays such as LGBTQ events. Mindful of the Center’s arid setting, the facility includes environmentally friendly, low-flow faucets and toilets to conserve water.
Swift’s Attic – Austin, Texas
Built to be comfortable yet exciting, the Swift’s Attic restrooms designed to accent the spaces natural historic beauty and character while bringing modern elements and conveniences to its guests. The Gothic-style restrooms feature floral-patterned sinks, antique light fixtures and gold and black striped wallpaper.
The Guild Hotel – San Diego, California
The building originally opened in 1924 and served as the Army/Navy YMCA but was reborn in 2019 as The Guild Hotel. The bathrooms located conveniently off the lobby space provide guests a clean and welcoming experience. The beautiful marble sink in both the men’s and women’s restroom have a stunning visual appeal. This coupled with the tastefully decorated lighting and mirror will welcome any smile.
The 10 finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. 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.
Last year, the America’s Best Restroom award went to the Nashville Zoo for featuring two innovative exhibits. The men’s Entry Village restroom is home to a Boelen’s python, and the women’s restroom in Expedition Peru is the home to the Zoo’s family of six cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered primate species from South America.
For more information about the America’s Best Restroom contest, contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 708-908-0898. Images of the finalists are available here.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
The public can submit nominations now through August 14th
CINCINNATI – June 29, 2020 – Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is now accepting nominations for its 19th annual America’s Best Restroom® contest, which shines a spotlight on deserving public restrooms. The public can submit their favorite restroom now through August 14th at www.bestrestroom.com.
“Now more than ever, people value clean, well-maintained public restrooms,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “Businesses everywhere are re-evaluating their cleaning protocols and taking precautions to limit the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In fact, almost three-quarters (70%) of Americans say they have made a conscious effort to select a specific business because it has restrooms that are cleaner and better maintained[1].”
Nominations will be judged on five criteria: cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. Ten finalists will be announced in September of 2020, and the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist. The winner will receive a Cintas UltraClean® restroom cleaning service and $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning from Cintas while also being recognized as a first-rate public restroom.
Last year, the Nashville Zoo was crowned America’s Best Restroom for featuring two innovative exhibits. The women’s restroom in Expedition Peru’s is the home to the Zoo’s family of six cotton-top tamarins, a critically endangered primate species from South America. The men’s Entry Village restroom is home to a Boelen’s python.
“We were honored to be recognized by Cintas and the public as America’s Best Restroom,” said Rick Schwartz, President and CEO of the Nashville Zoo. “This award reinforces the impact restrooms have on guests. We look forward to including more “surprise” exhibits in the future.”
For more information about the contest, please contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or (708) 908-0898.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
NASHVILLE, TN – Oct. 22, 2019 – The public was not monkeying around when it came to choosing their favorite restroom. Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today named Nashville Zoo in Nashville, Tennessee the winner of the 2019 America’s Best Restroom® contest. As this year’s winner, Nashville Zoo will get to properly crown their golden thrones with prizes from Cintas. This includes $2,500 in Cintas products and services for restroom cleaning or facility management to keep their restrooms Ready for the Workday®, along with a lifetime supply of bathroom bragging rights.
“We’re thrilled to earn the title of America’s Best Restroom,” said Rick Schwartz, President and CEO of the Nashville Zoo. “As one of the top tourist attractions in Tennessee, we saw our restrooms as an opportunity to educate visitors and allow their trip to the zoo to continue even during a bathroom break. We wanted our restrooms to create dialogue and conversation, and it worked better than expected.”
Inside, the Nashville Zoo restrooms offer more than meets the eye. Nashville Zoo’s Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear women’s restroom features a floor-to-ceiling glass window through which a family of six cotton-top tamarins are visible. This extravagant indoor exhibit features these critically endangered primates and all their antics. Meanwhile, Nashville Zoo’s Entry Village men’s restroom features a floor-to-ceiling glass window with a view of the Boelen’s python snake exhibit. Images and b-roll footage of the Nashville Zoo’s restrooms are available here.
“The Nashville Zoo was able to turn its public restrooms into another attraction, and the public responded in a very positive way,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “Public restrooms meet many needs, so it’s important that they’re not only clean, and well-maintained, but also memorable because it can impact the success of your business.”
Cintas revealed the 10 contest finalists on August 5th and opened voting to the public through September 13th. The other finalists in the 2019 America’s Best Restroom contest included:
Butcher and the Brewer – Cleveland, OH
Jianna Restaurant – Greenville, SC
Jupiter Next – Portland, OR
La Belle Helene – Charlotte, NC
LaGuardia Airport – New York City
Mourad – San Francisco, CA
Natick Mall – Natick, MA
New Museum of Contemporary Art – New York City
Sea-Tac Airport – Seattle, WA
The 10 finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. You can nominate a restroom for the 2020 contest here.
For more information about the contest, contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 708–908–0898.
About Cintas Corporation: Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday ®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
The polls are open to the public now through Sept. 13
CINCINNATI – Aug. 5, 2019 – Featuring the best of the best, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), is proud to reveal the ten finalists in this year’s America’s Best Restroom® contest. The public is invited to vote for their favorite restroom at www.bestrestroom.com, now through Sept. 13. The 18th annual contest celebrates public restrooms across the country that go above and beyond to provide unique and clean facilities for guests.
“From a sophisticated French brasserie to a restroom that’s literally a zoo, each of this year’s finalists offer cleanliness and unique design elements worthy of any Instagram selfie,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “We’re proud to spotlight businesses that provide quirky, well-maintained restrooms that are as creative as they are clean. These finalists understand the importance of ensuring patrons leave the restroom with a positive, lasting impression.”
Without further ado, the 2019 America’s Best Restroom Finalists include:
Butcher and the Brewer – Cleveland, Ohio
The atmosphere at Butcher and the Brewer is unique, including its restrooms. The restrooms feature a common entryway. A green subway–tiled accent wall pops against a white communal sink which is centered between private stalls with men’s stalls on the right, women on the left.
Jianna Restaurant – Greenville, South Carolina
Each of the four single–user washrooms embrace different visions that come to mind of Italian culture with distinctive personality and flair. Picture an old-world town square with cobblestone streets and rustic charm, another that reflects Italy’s beautiful seacoast and the fresh salt air. While one transports you to sipping delicious local limoncello and finally the last conjures up images of racy red sports cars on winding hairpin roads. All materials including tile, wallcovering, accessories and lighting were specifically chosen to reflect the character of each space to transport the guest to their own Italian daydream.
Jupiter Next – Portland, Oregon
The restrooms at this Portland hotel include seven stalls with floor–to–ceiling, gray stone-paneled walls. The stalls are arranged in a semicircle around a trough-style shared sink. Other features include gold faucets and candelabra light fixtures with soft, dim lighting.
La Belle Helene – Charlotte, North Carolina
La Belle Helene is Charlotte’s most beautiful French brasserie, located in the heart of the city. The ambiance, in every detail, is authentically French, designed by renowned Parisian architect and designer Richard LaFond. From the black and white tiles to the unique murals, soft lighting, and classic bronze elements, these touches are nods to the countless eateries tucked within the streets of the famous City of Lights. La Belle Helene’s unisex restroom vanity offers a shared space for all guests to do more than just wash their hands. A hand-painted mural reflected in the vanity mirror offers a backdrop – for selfies, of course, and the space has been named Charlotte’s most beautiful bathroom time over time.
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B – New York City, New York
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP), the private entity rebuilding LaGuardia’s Terminal B, is dedicated to reimagining what a top–class visitor experience for travelers entails – and high–quality restrooms are a key part of that experience. LGP worked with designers to build a restroom that reflects their vision for a 21st century terminal, emphasizing efficiency, aesthetics and innovation. The stalls are deeper and wider to allow passengers to easily bring in luggage and close the door behind them. Prioritizing cleanliness, the restrooms in the new Terminal B are designed to be as hands–free as possible. The sinks are trough–style with a raised counter above. The restrooms even incorporate live orchids, custom mosaic tiles at the entryway and over the urinals, as well as graphics depicting New York City on the stall doors.
Mourad – San Francisco, California
Designed by Olle Lundberg, the restrooms at Mourad feature elements of traditional Moroccan design with a modern interpretation. The restrooms capture Morocco and San Francisco in a space that celebrates old and new, tradition and innovation. Each of the fully enclosed stalls is decorated in a different color of floor–to–ceiling Moroccan mosaic tile. The stalls also feature a marble shelf and mirror and open to a communal marble–countertop sink.
Nashville Zoo – Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Zoo’s Expedition Peru: Trek of the Andean Bear women’s restroom offers more than meets the eye. Visible through a floor–to–ceiling glass window are a family of six cotton–top tamarins. This lush indoor exhibit features these critically endangered primates and all their antics. Meanwhile, Nashville Zoo’s Entry Village men’s restroom features floor–to–ceiling glass window with a view of the ball python snake exhibit.
Natick Mall – Natick, Massachusetts The Natick Mall restrooms include a waiting room with a chandelier centered above. They also feature makeup stations and two private changing/nursing rooms with a lounge chair and outlets. Each stall also includes a marble shelf to hold your bag.
New Museum of Contemporary Art – New York City, New York
In December 2007, the New Museum opened its distinct building designed by the Pritzker Prize–winning architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa/SANAA. Located at 235 Bowery, the building is distinguished by its minimalist design. For the restrooms, the Tokyo–based architects selected a super–graphic pattern of pixilated cherry blossoms juxtaposed against hotly hued fields of orange and turquoise, covering the bathroom walls.
Sea–Tac Airport North Satellite Terminal – Seattle, Washington
The new North Satellite Terminal at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is part of the first stage of the $658.3m North Satellite Modernization Project. The restrooms feature automatic soap dispensers, quartz multi–station lavatories and flushing fixtures served by a rainwater harvest system that will provide 750,000 gallons annually to the restrooms. Additionally, there are separate sinks inside the ADA stalls and family restrooms with adult changing tables. All restrooms are co–located with custodial support closets to enable keeping the restrooms Opening Day Fresh!
The ten finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The winner will be honored with a place in the America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame and $2,500 in facility services from Cintas to help maintain their award-winning washrooms.
Last year’s winner, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, Florida, received the most votes for its wild restrooms that feature tarpon, otter, osprey, and sea turtle sculptures, providing an underwater wildlife illusion.
For more information about the America’s Best Restroom contest, contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 708–908–0898.
About Cintas Corporation: Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
The public can submit nominations now through July 12
CINCINNATI – April 9, 2019 – The search for stellar stalls begins! Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), today officially opened nominations for the 18th annual America’s Best Restroom® contest. The contest is open to any non-residential restroom in the U.S. that is accessible to the public. The public can submit their favorite restroom now through July 12 at www.bestrestroom.com. The winner will receive $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning from Cintas while also being recognized as a first-rate public restroom.
“There’s nothing worse than visiting a public restroom where the hygiene is questionable and the decor is less than delightful, so we’re looking for first-rate facilities that are not only clean and functional, but decked out in design features too,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “Good or bad, restrooms can have a real impact on a business’ bottom line. This contest recognizes businesses that understand the crucial role clean and innovative restrooms play in the overall customer experience.”
Nominations will be judged on five criteria: cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. Ten finalists will be announced in August of 2019, and the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist.
Last year, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge took home the top toilet prize for its wild restrooms that feature tarpon, otter, osprey, and sea turtle sculptures, providing an underwater wildlife illusion. These “Learning Lavatories” dazzle with close-up professional bird photos that wrap stall doors, but also educate along the walk with interpretive messaging about the wildlife and saving the environment.
“We take great pride in being named America’s Best Restroom and the national recognition our national wildlife refuge received thanks to the contest,” said Toni Westland, Supervisor Refuge Ranger, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “We’re grateful to Cintas for hosting a contest that recognizes the extra effort we put into making our restrooms educational and memorable.”
For more information about the contest, please contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or (708) 908-0898.
About Cintas Corporation: Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and training and compliance courses, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Vote for your favorite restroom now through September 18
Cincinnati – August 6, 2018 – Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) announced today the top 10 finalists for the 2018 America’s Best Restroom® contest. For the 17th year in a row, the contest will showcase the best public restrooms in the U.S. and award one lucky loo with $2,500 in Cintas products and services for restroom cleaning or facility management, along with a lifetime of bathroom bragging rights. Now through Sept. 18, the public is invited to vote for their favorite finalist at www.bestrestroom.com.
“From coast to coast, this year’s finalists highlight how restroom cleanliness, artistic design and sustainable features can leave a positive, lasting impression on customers,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “With vibrant colors, picturesque views and creative architecture, there’s a perfect restroom for everyone with this year’s finalists. The America’s Best Restroom contest invites the country to come together and vote for the worthiest facility.”
The top 10 restrooms in this year’s America’s Best Restroom contest include:
1. Barrio — Chicago
After guests exit the women’s restrooms at Chicago’s trendy Mexican restaurant, Barrio, it’s common to hear the phrase: “Did you check out the bathroom? There’s a disco ball in there!” In addition to its shiny disco ball, the facility features colorful high heel patterned wallpaper and a hot pink ceiling. The upbeat ambiance screams anything but ordinary, making it the perfect place to freshen up, reapply lipstick and hit the streets of the Windy City.
2. Bryant Park — New York City
After a $270,000 renovation, the new and improved Bryant Park restroom offers its one million visitors per year an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. Full-time attendants, fresh flowers, and classical music welcome the public with a luxurious comfort station experience. The facility uses Toto EcoPower technology to harness the energy of running water to power itself, and features water-efficient fixtures and LED lighting to reduce electrical costs and its environmental impact. With crown molding, cove lighting, glass mosaic details and tiles from around the globe, this Manhattan marvel is a site to behold.
3. Dream Hollywood Hotel — Hollywood, CA
The Dream Hollywood Hotel’s rooftop has a restroom that takes guests to new heights. With floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory, these facilities allow visitors to gaze out at the city and take a postcard-worthy photo. Sleek subway tiles, long oval mirrors and golden globe lights surround a large granite island with deep sinks and modern faucets.
4. Green Bay Botanical Garden — Green Bay, Wis.
Nicknamed the “Hobbit House,” Green Bay Botanical Garden is home to a fun, playful and clean restroom facility straight out of a fantasy world. Located in its children’s garden area, the structure is built directly into the hill side to maintain a cool temperature and offer visitors a hill that showcases a perfect view of the gardens. Using natural materials whenever possible and installing local boulders as part of the design, the Les & Dar Stumpf Hobbit House Restroom is a sustainable building that reflects raw, creative innovation.
5. Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton — La Jolla, CA
Perched high on the 11th floor overlooking the stunning vistas of Southern California, the restroom at the Hotel La Jolla provides guests with a breathtaking view of La Jolla and the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Facing the coast, the large windows capture the natural, constantly changing ocean light, complementing the earth tones of the restroom interior. In this restroom, it’s common for guests to spend extra time washing their hands just to gaze out at the beautiful views.
6. J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge — Sanibel, Fla.
Manatees, otters, alligators – oh my! The newest adventure at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge comes to life with restrooms that immerse you in underwater scenery. Life-size animal sculptures grace the walls leading to and within the restrooms. The facility walls feature mesmerizing photographic tile murals of lush, watery mangrove scenes and its stalls showcase professional bird photography. These Learning Lavatories not only dazzle but educate visitors with interpretive messaging about local wildlife and saving the environment, turning a necessary “nature call” into a “nature enthrall.”
7. MI VIDA — Washington, D.C.
Inspired by the vibrant Mexican color palette, the restrooms at MI VIDA restaurant transport guests into a colorful, stylish and Instagram-worthy world. Hot pink doors pop against the hand-stenciled floors that pay tribute to Mexican folk art as aqua-grey penny tile ceilings shine from above. Sleek, brushed stainless steel plumbing fixtures bring an unexpected industrial touch, and a fully-integrated, paperless sink system with its cool cascading stream of blue light keeps the fiesta going even as guests freshen up.
8. Morgan Manufacturing — Chicago
The industrial elegance of the Morgan Manufacturing space located in the West Loop of Chicago extends to its massive restrooms. The generous, sleek spaces are outfitted with custom, glistening chandeliers made from repurposed pipes and crystals. With a modern concrete floor, tall stalls made from white marble partitions line half of the restroom walls while the other half is covered in mirrored subway tiles. With a large leather ottoman and plenty of artistic décor, this facility brings an element of sophistication to industrial design.
9. The Mud House — St. Louis, MO
Decorated with fun, local and eclectic antique pieces, this cozy café brings its artistic flair right into its restroom. With Monopoly, Sorry!, Clue, Scrabble and other classic board games plastered on the walls, it’s nearly impossible to be bored in the Mud House’s restroom! Guests will find themselves surrounded by their favorite childhood board games and interesting vintage maps from floor to ceiling, creating a nostalgic and entertaining bathroom experience for all ages.
10. The Progress — San Francisco, CA
The restrooms at The Progress are a true departure from the soft wooden tones and natural feel of the dining room. Wanting guests to feel as though they weren’t just walking into a restroom, but entering a sparkly drum set, the owners and designers of the restaurant used 250 pounds of glitter to achieve their mission. A thick layer of glitter coats the walls, floor and ceiling, creating a 360-degree sparkly, colorful and exceptional restroom experience that no guest could forget.
The 10 finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The restroom that receives the most votes from America will be awarded $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning from Cintas to help maintain their award-winning restroom.
For more information about the contest, please contact Alex Weiss at [email protected] or (312) 664-1532.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cincinnati – Sept. 21, 2017 – From disco balls to shark-infested stalls, get ready to cast your vote! Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today revealed the top ten finalists for its 16th annual America’s Best Restroom Contest®. The public can vote for their favorite restroom now through Oct. 27 at www.bestrestroom.com.
“Most public bathrooms are not considered pleasant places to be, but with their stunning stalls and unique design features, this year’s 10 finalists are tourist attractions in their own right,” said Sean Mulcahey, marketing manager, Cintas. “These finalists realize the impact a clean and memorable restroom has on the customer experience. We can’t wait to see which one America selects as its favorite.”
The best bowls in the 2017 America’s Best Restroom Contest include:
Carmel Beach — Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
The Carmel Beach restrooms are built on a bluff just west of Scenic Road at Santa Lucia Avenue, designed to blend in with the beauty of the surrounding area. A stone veneer and board-form finish on the concrete walls provides a rustic look, and a “green roof” covered in plants to complement the surrounding scenery, while the mahogany doors provide a rich contrast. Located adjacent to a heavily-used pedestrian trail, the usefulness of the restroom facility is equal to its aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Doughnut Plant — New York, NY
The restroom at Doughnut Plant’s shop in the historic Chelsea Hotel was inspired by one of the first jobs Doughnut Plant’s founder and owner Mark Isreal had when he moved to NYC: a busboy at the legendary Studio 54. Designed to mirror a disco ball, the restroom walls and floor are covered with twinkling metallic tiles. Of course, the restroom also features a shiny disco ball spinning from the ceiling.
Elsa — Brooklyn, NY
At just 16 square feet each, the Elsa bathrooms make the most of their small footprint through the use of rich materiality and play of light. Back-lit slatted mirrors create an arched ceiling that surrounds the guest and amplifies the space on all sides. Custom doors and hardware, contrasting marble floors, a custom marble and glass sink ledge, reclaimed wall tile and pink plaster walls all come together to make the compact restrooms feel playfully expansive.
La Boucherie on 71 — Los Angeles
Encompassed in the Wilshire Grand Center, the design of the La Boucherie on 71 restrooms creates an “authentic” experience for urban dwellers and visitors alike. The Marie Antoinette-themed restrooms feature fully enclosed stalls and gold accents, including modern light fixtures and faucets. The corridor mimics the hallways of Versailles with wallpapered doors and intricately-patterned lounge chairs.
OdySea Aquarium — Scottsdale, Ariz.
At OdySea Aquarium, the adventure is all around you… even in the restrooms! During the early stages of design, OdySea knew that it wanted to create jaw-dropping moments for its guests at every corner. That’s why they opted out of the typical mirror over the sinks and instead installed an enormous acrylic window leading straight into Shark Waters – its largest exhibit. Where else in the world can you stare a 9-foot lemon shark in the eye as you wash your hands?
Off the Waffle — Portland, Ore.
Off The Waffle is a restaurant that is all about surprising and delighting its guests, and its restroom is no exception. The disco bathroom is the brainchild of its co-founder Omer Orian, after realizing that the restroom space in its Portland location could use a little more pizazz. By flipping the light switch to ‘disco’ mode, the bathroom transforms with flashy lights and music – creating a party in the potty every time. The entire setup was designed and installed by Omer, his brother Dave, and his sister Vered.
Palmetto Brewery — Charleston, SC
The restrooms at Palmetto Brewery feature urinals made out of recycled kegs. If you look closely, you will notice the urinals are designed to look like mouths with tongues. One has braces, another has big buck teeth and the other is designed to look like a vampire. The restrooms also feature corrugated metal stalls and industrial sconces. Aside from its beer, the restrooms are one of Palmetto’s main attractions.
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel — Chicago, IL
Hidden away near the Raised Urban Rooftop Bar, this delightful restroom makes it easy to forget you’re in the heart of downtown Chicago. The ebony tile walls are counterbalanced by a large portrait resembling a bright and beautiful garden that wraps around the main area. Sleek back-lit mirrors rest above black, marble counters with silver under mount sinks. It also features six stalls that are as classy as they are private.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — San Francisco
Snohetta, the designers of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s new 10-story expansion, use the restrooms to activate visitors’ senses and inspire them to explore another floor of the nation’s largest museum of modern and contemporary art. Each floor features a different, eye-popping color in all of the mens, womens and all-gender restrooms. From brilliant green, deep purple, shocking pink, aquatic teal and even SFMOMA’s signature shade of warm red, the restrooms are works of art unto themselves. Insider tip: look for the green flash after exiting the red restroom on the second floor – a classic example of afterimage using complementary colors.
Sinema Restaurant + Bar — Nashville, Tenn.
Sinema Restaurant + Bar is housed in the historic Melrose Theater, which opened in 1942 and has a storied history of delighting movie-goers and creating long lasting memories. With features like Hollywood makeup lights, patterned terrazzo floors, Carerra marble countertops and starlight wall sconces, the ladies’ lounge at Sinema is a recreation of the glamourous days. It?s a frequent ‘must’ destination for guests, who primp and pose before taking a #SinemaSelfie.
The ten finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The restroom that receives the most votes will be awarded $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning from Cintas to help maintain their award-winning restroom.
For more information about the contest, please contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or (214) 571-6322.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than 900,000 businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cincinnati – Nov. 21, 2016 – If you’re traveling through the air this Thanksgiving, you may have the chance to visit the latest winner of America’s Best Restroom. The Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) International Airport was crowned the winner in the 15th annual contest, sponsored by Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS). As the winner, the MSP Airport will receive the royal restroom treatment from Cintas. This includes $2,500 in facility services like cleaning chemicals or wet mops to keep their restrooms Ready for the Workday®.
“The restroom is often the first place visited on arrival and the last stop for departing passengers, leaving a lingering impression of their destination,” said Alan Howell, Senior Airport Architect, Airport Development Department, Metropolitan Airports Commission. “We are thrilled to be honored with this award for our efforts to improve the aesthetics of our restrooms and make the customer experience memorable.”
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport restrooms are currently undergoing renovations that will continue through 2025 to encompass more than 100 sets of public restrooms. Baby-changing stations are integrated into each restroom – all with an adjacent sink and paper towel dispenser. Meanwhile, accessible stalls include a sink and hand drying area, as well as automatic doors to provide a touch-free environment. Original mosaic art that reflects features of Minnesota is displayed within the restrooms near the entrances, created by a different regional artist at each set.
“Public restrooms don’t get a lot of positive praise, so we’re proud to recognize businesses like the MSP Airport that are committed to providing clean and memorable bathrooms,” said John Engel, Senior Marketing Manager, Cintas. “We applaud the MSP Airport for making the investment to prioritize user comfort and cleanliness to ensure its restrooms are always Ready™ for the next traveler.”
The finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The public cast thousands of votes online from
Oct. 4 through Nov. 2. The other nine finalists include:
Coca-Cola Park, home of the AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Allentown, PA
Leña Brava restaurant – Chicago
The Novel Neighbor book store– St Louis
Safe House restaurant – Milwaukee, Wisc.
Swift & Sons restaurant – Chicago
The Charmery ice cream shop – Baltimore, MD
The Vine restaurant – New York City
The Way Station bar – Brooklyn, NY
Urban Ecology Center museum – Milwaukee, Wisc.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Christina Alvarez at [email protected] or 214-720-5943.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than 900,000 businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, floor care, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
CINCINNATI — April 21, 2016 — Don’t stall! Now is the time to nominate your beautiful, unique and striking restroom for Cintas Corporation’s (NASDAQ: CTAS) 15th annual America’s Best Restroom Contest.
From stunning stalls to incredible architectural details, Cintas is looking for the toilet that’s the talk of the town. If you’ve ever walked into a restroom that left you in awe of its marble detail or squeaky clean floor, then Cintas wants to hear about it.
“When a public restroom makes you stop to take a video or capture a quick selfie to share with friends, it deserves to be nominated for the chance to be called America’s Best Restroom,” said John Engel, Senior Marketing Manager, Cintas. “This contest not only creates national visibility of your business, it shows your customers that you take pride in your restrooms and truly care about their experience.”
Past winners include the Town of Minturn Public Restrooms in Minturn, Colo., which resemble a horizontal passage way into a Rocky Mountain mine. In 2014, the Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia won for its awe-inspiring “green wall” and eco-friendly design. Its ornate artwork of a beautiful night sky and a “tot area” with smaller toilets for little ones earned the Field Museum in Chicago the top spot in 2011.
Submit your nomination today at www.bestrestroom.com. The deadline is Sept. 16, 2016. Ten finalists will be announced in fall 2016, based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. The winner will receive the royal restroom treatment from Cintas with $2,500 in facility services to help maintain their award-winning restroom.
About Cintas Corporation:
Cintas Corporation helps more than 900,000 businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, floor care, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday™. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.