Wawa to Expand by 160 Stores Across the Midwest
By Rachel Gignac on Sep. 29, 2023Wawa recently revealed plans for a total of 160 new convenience stores across Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, extending its market and career opportunities.
The Wawa, Pennsylvania-based chain held a Community Partnership Tour, which included events in each of the three states that revealed a first look at initial plans for each market, including market ranges and time frames, career opportunities and the economic effect that Wawa’s ongoing growth will have on the region.
It also officially introduced Wawa to the communities and allowed Wawa leaders to connect with hundreds of new friends, neighbors and VIP customers, as well as local officials and partners. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to hear about the Wawa story, Wawa’s offerings and Wawa’s commitment to its new Midwest region communities, including new partnerships and community support of local organizations.
At the events, Wawa also encouraged customers to enjoy a taste of Wawa, including samples of freshly made hoagies, freshly brewed coffee and other handcrafted beverages as it debuted its new Wawa Community Care Beverage Vehicle. Altogether, Wawa distributed thousands of samples of Wawa strawberry smoothies and Wawa Dragon Fruit Refreshers, hundreds of cups of Wawa regular and flavored coffees and hundreds of hoagie samples.
Wawa also made donations to local community partners in each location.
“Whenever we enter a new market, we always strive to get to know our new communities long before we put shovels in the ground,” said Chris Gheysens, CEO of Wawa. “Our Community Partnership Tour provides the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and neighbors and demonstrate not only what makes Wawa unique but also what makes our new communities so special. We look forward to sharing our Wawa story, plans for growth in these new markets, and our commitment to partnering with and supporting local nonprofit organizations that make a difference in their local communities.”
- Wawa is No. 9 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by store count.
Wawa has about 1,000 stores primarily in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, Wawa announced plans for 40 store openings over the next eight to 10 years.
The first groundbreakings are set to begin in mid-2024, and 10 stores are projected to begin opening by mid-2025. Five additional stores will open in 2026 and five stores will open each year thereafter. Wawa teams continue to look for sites throughout the market.
So far, Wawa has more than 15 sites under contract across Boone, Bullitt, Fayette Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Warren counties. These projected stores are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process, and Wawa will announce specific locations and estimated timing for the first store openings in Kentucky once these processes are complete, the company said.
“We were thrilled to share our ‘flight plan’ for Kentucky and reveal, for the very first time, our exciting expansion plans, renderings and more with our newest soon-to-be neighbors!” said Joe Collins, director of store operations for Wawa. “We can’t wait to begin putting shovels into the ground next year! As we get closer to our grand openings in 2025, we will be sharing even more details on our growth in Kentucky and connecting with more customers, communities, partners and nonprofit organizations that together make this such an incredible region to be a part of!”
Wawa also announced contributions to three regional community partners: Kentucky Special Olympics, Dare to Care Food Pantry and God’s Pantry Food Bank with contributions totaling more than $22,000.
Ohio
Following the chain’s announcement of 40 new convenience stores in Kentucky, Wawa is touting its expansion into Ohio, with plans to open approximately 60 c-stores across the region over the next eight to 10 years. With the first groundbreakings beginning in mid-2024, the company projects the first stores to open by mid-2025, with the intention of opening up to 10 locations that year, 10 additional stores in 2026 and five stores each year thereafter.
Wawa has more than 16 Ohio sites under contract across Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery and Warren counties. These projected stores are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process, and Wawa will announce specific locations and estimated timing for the first store openings in Ohio once these processes are complete.
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 2,200 new jobs as a result of its expansion, it said. Wawa associates own 39% of the Company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Through the Wawa Foundation, the company also announced contributions to four regional community partners: The American Red Cross, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the USO and The National Air Force Museum Foundation totaling more than $20,000.
Indiana
Wawa has unveiled plans for 60 stores in Indiana in the next eight to 10 years, with the first groundbreakings beginning in mid-2024.
In Indiana so far, Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract across Clark, Dearborn, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion and Wayne counties.
These projected stores are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process, and Wawa will announce specific locations and estimated timing for the first store openings in the state once these processes are complete, it said.
The first store locations are projected to open by mid-2025, with plans to open 10 locations that year, 10 additional stores in 2026 and five stores each year thereafter.
Additionally, Wawa announced contributions to four regional community partners: Riley Children’s Hospital and Gleaners Food Bank, with contributions totaling $10,000.
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