---
name: The State of Public Restroom Access
type: data-report
chains_tracked: 44
purchase_free: 28
purchase_varies: 15
purchase_required: 1
verified: 8
generated: 2026-08-20
canonical: " https://www.toiletroute.com/data/restroom-access"
---

# The State of Public Restroom Access

Generated from live data on 2026-08-20. Methodology on the canonical page.

## At a glance

- 44 major US chains tracked
- 28 open with no purchase required chain-wide; 15 vary by location; 1 require a purchase chain-wide
- 8 of 44 verified against a citable official source; the rest are labeled unverified rather than presented as confirmed

## Access policy breakdown

| Policy | Chains |
|---|---|
| Open to everyone | 31 |
| Varies by location | 11 |
| Members only | 1 |
| Purchase required | 1 |

## Tracked policy notes

- **Petco** — Non-customers are generally welcome, though making a small purchase is considered courteous. ( https://www.toiletroute.com/chain/petco)
- **Starbucks** (verified 2026-07-07) — Starbucks had an open-door, no-purchase-required policy from 2018 to 2024. That policy was reversed in January 2025 — a purchase is now required to access restrooms at most locations, with some exceptions (e.g. emergencies). ( https://www.toiletroute.com/chain/starbucks)
- **Shell** (verified 2026-07-12) — Shell's own Canada support site states not all Shell stations have washrooms — that source is specific to Canada and was NOT used for this US-facing claim (wrong jurisdiction is wrong evidence). This chain's US hasRestrooms fact is sourced separately, via GasBuddy. ( https://www.toiletroute.com/chain/shell)

Canonical page:  https://www.toiletroute.com/data/restroom-access

Cite ToiletRoute with a link to the canonical page. Bulk export of the dataset is not permitted (see Terms).