Growth on the horizon! Interview Wouter & Chris. COO & CEO.

You’ve just announced that the partnership with Shell is being extended. What does that mean for 2theloo?

Chris: “That’s fantastic news of course. Shell has been one of our most important partners since 2013. Together we manage more than fifty locations in the Netherlands and Belgium, and soon we’ll be refurbishing twenty of them with the latest 2theloo concept. The extension shows that Shell has confidence in the quality we’ve been delivering for many years. It’s confirmation that our concept works – reliable, clean and welcoming. It’s a huge compliment to all colleagues who contribute to this every day.”

You are also announcing a collaboration with Q8 in Belgium. What does that involve exactly?

Wouter: “Q8 is developing a network of full-service EV charging stations – a concept with retail, foodservice and the best sanitary facilities, which we will be providing. The first locations will open in the first quarter of 2026. This is an important step for us: we are anticipating the growth of electric driving and ensuring that comfort and hygiene remain a given, even during longer charging stops.”

What do these two major steps say about where 2theloo stands today?

Chris: “That 2theloo is a healthy, growing company that is ready for the future. We are market leader in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. We are financially stronger, operationally mature and we look to the future with confidence. Our partners remain loyal to us, and we continue to invest in innovation, people and quality. We’re building further on a strong foundation.”

What explains that growth?

Wouter: “After Covid we really rebuilt the organisation. Processes have been improved, we work with dedicated maintenance partners and our data give better insight into visitor behaviour. We’re seeing an underlying trend that has now become structural: higher visitor numbers, more locations, longer and improved contracts with major partners, steadily rising operating profits and a stable workforce.”

Chris: “The figures for 2024 confirm this trend. It was our best year so far. We've welcomed more than 45 million visitors – a record. Revenue grew by 22 percent, and operating profit was the highest in our history.”

How does 2theloo stand out in this market?

Chris: “Our scale and consistency. We work with the same quality standard at more than 180 locations in eight countries. Whether you stop at Shell Haarrijn on the A2 or at the Louvre in Paris, the experience is recognisable. That makes us a reliable choice for both travellers and partners. We are able to offer our guests a comfortable experience that goes hand in hand with a scalable model for our business partners as well as for 2theloo.”

You talk about a ‘next phase of growth’. What do you mean by that?

Wouter: “We have long-term partnerships, and there is still a lot of growth potential there. For example, together with Shell we’re exploring opportunities to grow further into other European countries. In addition to operating restrooms, we are also a provider of smart infrastructure. With our ‘Turnstile-as-a-Service’ concept we supply technology – access control, payments, data – to other parties. Think of McDonald’s Belgium or BP. We see many opportunities for further growth.”

Finally, how do you view the coming years?

Chris: “With ambition and optimism. We want to keep building and growing, and we see plenty of opportunities. But always with the same focus on quality and experience. And we remain true to where it all began: a surprisingly pleasant toilet break, wherever people are on the move.”