Wawa plans to expand into the Midwest.
The company got the attention of news outlets in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio announcing its intentions to open stores in the coming years.
The expansion comes after Wawa’s success in Florida. That has spurred the Delaware County, PA company to announce plans to expand to adjacent southern states.
Wawa has upwards of 1,000 stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida. The Delaware store total is 46.
“At Wawa, growth means strengthening our existing markets as well as expanding to both adjacent and new markets so we can reach new friends and neighbors and welcome them as part of our extended family,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s CEO. “These markets are the perfect places for Wawa to expand based on their strong business communities, their family-like atmosphere, and the confidence that our unique offer and amazing associates will be welcomed by these communities. We look forward to bringing our freshly prepared food, specialty beverages, fuel, and convenience services to these new areas all while creating new jobs and meaningful community support.”
Wawa’s new market expansion comes after it announced an expansion to Tennessee. Estimated timeframes and ranges for the number of stores by state will be announced in 2023.
Wawa has gained national attention for its coffee and food offerings that, include hoagies, breakfast sandwiches, and more recently, dinners that include hamburgers. It has developed a strong following, with food that is considered to be a step up from many convenience store chains.
Wawa is also expanding into the central Pennsylvania stronghold of rival Sheetz.
Sheetz, with 670 locations, also has its sights set on the Midwest and recently announced plans to expand to Michigan. The company already has stores in Ohio.
