David Sauers

Co-Founder & Franchise Development Relations, Royal Restrooms

David Sauers is the co-founder and driving force behind Royal Restrooms, the nation's leading provider of luxury portable restroom and shower trailers. With over two decades of leadership, he has transformed a personal frustration into a thriving franchise empire serving weddings, festivals, corporate events, disaster response, and construction sites across the United States. Based in Savannah, Georgia, where he launched the company in 2004 alongside engineer Robert Glisson, Sauers drew inspiration from a humiliating family outing at an outdoor Shakespeare festival. Witnessing his young daughters suffer in filthy porta-potties amid a crowd, he envisioned upscale, climate-controlled trailers that deliver hotel-like comfort anywhere. Leaving a successful career as Vice President of Commercial Lending at Colony Bank, Sauers bet on this 'unsexy' yet essential industry, proving that execution trumps perfection in entrepreneurship. Today, Royal Restrooms boasts over 50 franchised locations in 17 states, delivering ADA-compliant units with porcelain fixtures, vanities, mirrors, ambient lighting, and full amenities. As Franchise Development Relations lead and Director of Emergency Services, Sauers spearheads expansion, sales of new territories, and specialized training for government and private sectors on disaster base camps. His expertise in crisis management shines in real-world applications, from hurricanes to large-scale events, where reliability saves the day. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Political Science and International Relations, Sauers honed leadership through Leadership Savannah and recognition as Business Report 40 under 40. Beyond Royal Restrooms, he serves as Brand Ambassador for AirSkirts, Executive Board Member of the Outdoor Events Association and Southeast Festivals and Events Association, and has spun off ventures like Savannah Bar Carts and Krugerbush Campers—marine-inspired overland trailers blending event innovation with off-grid adventure. Featured on podcasts like The Liquid Lunch Project, Wild Business Growth, and Conversations with Rich Bennett, Sauers shares raw stories of pivoting from banking to 'toilet king,' battling franchise regulators, and scaling through community-driven owners. With 3,950 LinkedIn followers, he champions purpose-driven growth, resilient systems, and spotting opportunity in overlooked markets. Whether elevating a black-tie gala or supporting FEMA operations, Sauers' philosophy remains: deliver platinum service that leaves guests talking—for all the right reasons. (612 words)

Key Insights from David Sauers

A porta-potty disaster with his daughters at a festival sparked Royal Restrooms.

— David Sauers on Origin Story

Left banking VP role to co-found in 2004; now 50+ locations nationwide.

— David Sauers on Entrepreneurial Pivot

Specializes in disaster response training for governments using mobile units.

— David Sauers on Crisis Expertise

Empower organizations to build resilient, adaptable systems.

— David Sauers on Resilience

Notable Quotes from David Sauers

"Why can't we have one on a trailer?" – On the aha moment for mobile luxury restrooms.

— David Sauers

"Execution matters more than perfection." – Entrepreneurial wisdom from scaling Royal Restrooms.

— David Sauers

Frequently Asked Questions about David Sauers

How did David Sauers start Royal Restrooms?

In 2003, during a family outing to Shakespeare in the Park, Sauers endured the indignity of standard porta-potties failing his young daughters amid a festival crowd. Frustrated by the lack of dignified options for upscale events, he partnered with engineer Robert Glisson to design luxury trailers with flushing toilets, climate control, lighting, and decor. Launching in Savannah, GA in 2004 after leaving banking, they targeted weddings and galas, evolving into a franchise serving all 50 states. This origin underscores spotting everyday pains in high-potential markets. [nino-guest-lookup.json](https://workspace/nino-guest-lookup.json), [[LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers)

What makes Royal Restrooms different from porta-potties?

Unlike basic units, Royal Restrooms offers executive trailers resembling hotel bathrooms: porcelain fixtures, vanities, mirrors, sinks, hardwood floors, ambient music, climate control, and occupancy lights. ADA-compliant options and showers cater to events, remodels, and disasters. With 24/7 service and nationwide reach via 50+ franchises, they prioritize cleanliness and guest experience, often becoming event highlights. [Royal Restrooms Site](https://royalrestrooms.com/)

What is David Sauers' role in franchising?

As Franchise Development Relations lead and CEO of franchise sales, Sauers drives expansion, selling territories and supporting operators with training, ops manuals, and marketing. Starting franchising in 2008, the model requires $100k+ investment but yields scalable, community-rooted businesses. His banking background aids in vetting owners for operational fit. [Entrepreneur Franchise](https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/royal-restrooms/333773)

How does Royal Restrooms handle disaster response?

Sauers' Director of Emergency Services role involves educating sectors on base camps using trailers for personnel hygiene post-disasters like hurricanes. Quick 24-48hr deployment nationwide supports FEMA, governments, and NGOs, blending events expertise with crisis logistics for resilient infrastructure. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers)

David Sauers — Areas of Expertise

  • Luxury Portable Restrooms
  • Event Sanitation
  • Franchise Development
  • Disaster Response
  • Entrepreneurship in Unsexy Industries
  • Crisis Management
  • Guest

David Sauers — Show Appearances

  • Mornings in the Lab (2024-09-20)

David Sauers — Signal Brief

Signal Score: 11/100

Generated 2026-04-16T01:25:50.387Z