Toby and Rhonda Breland figured portable restroom trailers would be a nice little sideline to go along with their other construction-related businesses. But within 15 months of starting their portable sanitation operation in February 2022, they realized they had another thriving business on their hands. The entrepreneurs’ connections, personal involvement and passion to be part of their community have set Royal Restrooms of Louisiana on a path to success.

Toby has been part of the grocery industry for 20 years, most recently as a commercial general contractor in grocery and retail from Texas to Florida. The Brelands also have equipment rental and property management businesses. Through networking, they became interested in portable restrooms. After some research the couple and their business partner, Nicholas Burkett, decided to become part of a franchise instead of starting their business from scratch.

“I wanted support with marketing and media. I’m process-focused and when there’s a step I can’t work through, I want someone there for help. It fit my personality,” Breland says of his decision to franchise through Royal Restrooms.

The Brelands saw a need for upscale restroom trailers in their region and purchased Forest River units. The trailers have hands-free flushing porcelain toilets, running water, mirrors with vanities, indoor and outdoor lighting, and air conditioning. The Brelands often deliver and service the trailers themselves. “My wife and I always enjoy interaction with clients,” Breland says.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

Thanks to ties with their construction business, their first contracted restroom rentals included an employee celebration of the opening of a grocery’s corporate office and a nonprofit event. People who attended posted photos and glowing comments about the company and its service on Facebook and other social media. 

“That got the word out,” Breland says, to corporate offices as well as individuals holding private events such as weddings and reunions. 

The Brelands make sure customers have a good experience. When possible, they personally set up and go through the trailer with clients.

“We’re taking that extra step to use nontoxic cleaners and provide fresh flowers that match their colors. We’ll provide attendants — usually my wife and me,” Breland explains, noting clients appreciate that the owners often do the work themselves.

They continue to add exposure through social media that targets a 100-mile radius around New Orleans, though they have traveled well beyond that.

About 70% of Royal Restrooms rentals are for private events. Plantation weddings are popular, for example, and the Brelands can provide a generator and freshwater tanks when needed. The trailers are also popular at the many food gatherings and parties Louisiana is known for. Art festivals and the New Orleans Bourbon Festival have also been clients. The remaining 30% of business is for corporate events, oil refineries, chemical companies and commercial remodeling projects that need temporary restrooms.

THE FLEET

The Brelands have purchased five units and plan to consistently add more as demand increases.

The Forest River trailers — two-stall, three-stall and four-stall restroom trailers — and a two-stall shower trailer, are all in a platinum color. An Airy Transit-branded sink trailer with eight touchless sinks and hot and cold water was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trailer includes two 43-inch smart TVs to customize and livestream everything from information about sponsors and promoters to football games through Wi-Fi. 

The Brelands also have three portable Lavex Janitorial hand-wash stations. Everything is transported with two 2020 Ford pickups, an F-150 and an F-250.

Customers can see photos of the trailers and request quotes online to begin the process. When an agreement/deposit is made, the Brelands track the trailer on a whiteboard so it’s not double-booked. The scheduled dates include a sanitized cleaning the day before delivery. Other details are also noted, such as stocking fresh flowers for restrooms and clean robes for the showers.

“As an add-on service we offer attendants to work four-, six- or eight-hour shifts. Someone is dressed professionally and cleans the restroom every 15 to 30 minutes,” Breland says. He and Rhonda often provide that service themselves, but during busy times — mostly in the fall and spring when it’s common to have all the trailers out on a weekend — they hire workers from their construction business to deliver, set up, etc.

“We do not have a pump truck currently but have plans to add to our fleet. We are currently partnered with a third party service that pumps our units within a 60-mile radius from our location,” Breland says.

HOMETOWN HELPERS

Beyond special treatment for paying customers, the Brelands are committed to helping people where they live. “We do in-kind donations for church and nonprofit events, for mission work and after hurricanes and just ask that they spread the word about us,” Breland says.

The business isn’t big enough to contract with FEMA for restrooms for disaster relief, but they do their part.

“For me it’s about community involvement,” Breland says. “I may be delivering restrooms, but I’m also cutting logs off the road with my chainsaw and hauling water and sandwiches. It’s who we are. We live here and we’re part of it.”

He recalls losing three vehicles and not having electrical power for 26 days when Hurricane Ida hit in 2021, so he has a personal understanding of what people are going through.

THAT’S MONEY, DUDE!

The couple enjoys the people and fun of many events they serve. For example, they were thrilled to be part of the grand opening last summer of the Cajun Two Step store in Kentwood, Louisiana, for owner “Stalekracker,” a popular YouTube foodie. The Brelands were asked for a bid because they live in the same area.

Knowing the value of getting their name out at the event, the Brelands donated part of the value of providing three restroom trailers and three hand-washing stations. 

Breland set up the units the day before the event. He and a helper served as attendants from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the event. With more than 60 teams competing in a crawfish cookoff and more than 3,000 in attendance, it was a busy day, Breland says. Fortunately, he was able to hook the trailers into city water and power.

“It was a great networking opportunity and I met social media influencers with large presences on YouTube and they were interested in our units. When we looked at comments, one said that the ‘restrooms were top drawer and the janitor on site was fantastic,’” Breland says with a laugh, adding he is proud of that. It fits with the business’ slogan — a regal portable restroom experience.

ON THE GROW

Breland says he is pleased with how the business has grown in less than two years. With a busy fall, a large wedding, and potential spring festivals, Breland plans to purchase more trailers as they become available.

“I’d like to grow to 18 trailers in the next two years,” he says. "I want to tap into larger festivals and Mardi Gras events.”