Wawa Inc.

Known as a chain focused on organic growth, Wawa Inc. began expansions into Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio in 2024. 

The Wawa, Pennsylvania-based company is one of the nation's most well-respected convenience-store chains, particularly when it comes to foodservice. In addition to a slew of fresh foods and beverages, Wawa sells a wide selection of private-label products, such as bagged Wawa coffees, dairy products and teas.

Over the past few years, the chain has grown almost exclusively through construction in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. Currently, the company is executing a plan to open 80 stores across North Carolina's eastern region, with the first locations opening last year. Additionally, Wawa stated it plans to open 160 stores across the Midwest in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia. Then earlier this year, the company announced it would open 70 new stores in both existing markets and new ones.

In 2022, the chain unveiled its plan to open nontraditional travel centers in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Travel centers will help close the gap in Wawa outposts between its mid-Atlantic and Florida markets, according to the company.

For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2025.