Wawa is opening its first store in North Carolina, located at 1900 Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills on May 16.
Over the next 10-plus years, Wawa plans to build at least 80 stores across North Carolina markets, with the first eight to 10 stores opening in 2024 and up to 15 stores opening in 2025.
To build each store, Wawa will invest approximately $7 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ, on average, 35 associates, with Wawa expecting to create more than 2,800 new jobs as a result of its expansion.
- Wawa is No. 9 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by store count.
On May 14 and 15, Wawa will host Community Partnership events in Wilmington, Jacksonville and Fayetteville and share plans for the next phase of expansion into those North Carolina markets.
During every grand opening event, Wawa will host festivities, ribbon cuttings, announce community partnerships and support for local organizations and celebrate local everyday heroes with its signature “Hoagies for Heroes” initiative.
Stores located in Wilson, Rocky Mount and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, are also currently under construction and projected to open in third-quarter of 2024. The company said it will announce specific dates this summer.
“We can’t wait to open our doors to our new North Carolina friends and neighbors and are excited for the chance to serve new customers and communities with our unique brand of fresh food, beverages and convenience,” said Kim Dowgielewicz, director of store operations for Wawa. “As each location opens, we will further solidify our commitment to providing the community with not only a new level of convenience but a strong, committed community partner.”
Wawa has more than 1,000 stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. The company previously announced that it will open 80 c-stores in North Carolina, the first eight in 2024, and up to 20 in Georgia, with the first under construction in late 2023. Wawa also has revealed plans for 160 stores across the Midwest in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. And it said it plans to grow its store count in existing markets.
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