Northern Colorado is making handwashing history. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is the first quick-service restaurant franchise in the world to become Clean Hands Certified.
For decades, diners have rated restaurants for burgers, service, atmosphere and value. But one basic part of the customer experience has largely escaped public scrutiny: whether the restroom actually allows people to wash their hands well.
A new Colorado-created program is trying to change that.
On Friday, July 31, a nine-location Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchise group serving Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming will become the first company to become Clean Hands Certified.
The idea is deliberately simple. A complete public handwashing experience in public restrooms should provide five things: touch-free soap, a touch-free faucet, warm water, hygienic hand drying and a hands-free exit.
If one part fails, the experience is incomplete.
Clean Hands Certified also gives the public a role through an app that allows people to recommend facilities and rate what they actually experience.
“People have opinions about public handwashing because they deal with the compromises every day—manual dispensers, cold water, broken sensors, poor drying or a door handle they have to grab on the way out,” says founder Tim Cromley. “For the first time, we are giving that experience a common language and giving the public a voice, and businesses have a clear, practical standard they can act on.”
The participating Freddy’s locations are in Longmont, Loveland, Johnstown, Greeley, Windsor, Timnath, Fort Collins, Cheyenne and Laramie.
A public celebration will be held from 3–6 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Timnath Freddy’s. Guests and media will be able to see the five-part standard in practice and learn how public recommendations work.
EVENT: Clean Hands Certified celebration
TIME: 3–6 p.m.
DATE: Friday, July 31, 2026
LOCATION: Timnath Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 4805 Weitzel St., Timnath
