Thanks to the prohibition of pay toilets in the U.S. since the 1970s, people have grown accustomed to freely accessing public restrooms during their travels. However, the availability and maintenance of free-use bathrooms vary depending on the town or city.
In the absence of widespread political efforts to construct more and improve existing public toilets, innovative developers and entrepreneurs are addressing the issue in diverse ways. Startups like Throne utilize technology to deploy high-tech, self-cleaning, and self-contained portable toilets that users can reserve through a mobile app, complementing existing maps tracking public restroom locations.
However, a new player, Flush, is taking a different approach by tapping into the untapped resource of business-owned bathrooms. Set to launch at CES 2024, Flush aims to rent out restrooms in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and other high-traffic areas. Flush, founded by USC computer science graduate Elle Szabo, stemmed from her own challenges finding public restrooms while on medication.
Flush operates as a double-sided marketplace. Business owners can list their bathrooms for rent, with a maximum price of $10, while users can locate and book available bathrooms through Flush’s web-based app. Although Flush currently does not take a cut of reservations, it incorporates a built-in rating system to combat misuse. The startup is also exploring insurance options to compensate businesses for potential damages caused by users.
Szabo envisions Flush as a way for businesses to generate additional revenue without increasing overhead, while also attracting new customers. Despite the enthusiasm, Skepticism remains about the widespread adoption of a paid restroom model, particularly in emergencies. While certain situations, such as diaper changes, might justify the fee, the overall acceptance of paying for restroom access may pose a mental hurdle for many.
Flush faces competition from previous ventures like Good2Go, which struggled with the economics of renting bathrooms and eventually pivoted its business model. Another player, Restpace, charges on a per-minute basis, potentially a more lucrative approach than Flush’s fixed fee.
While Flush is launching in Pittsburgh initially, Szabo is considering smart locks to facilitate self-service, although the logistics of managing access and queues pose challenges. Some argue that it’s the government’s responsibility to build and maintain public restrooms, but Szabo sees Flush as a solution to provide clean, reliable bathroom access, even countering concerns about homeless populations.
Flush, currently bootstrapped and managed solely by Szabo, is actively seeking businesses, investors, and plans to hire an employee in the coming year.
Read More On: Thestartupscoup.Com
