Wawa has shared its plans to open about 60 locations each in Ohio and Indiana over the next eight to 10 years.
The news was announced during its Community Partnership Day Tour held Sept. 26-28, where the c-store chain also detailed its expansion into neighboring Kentucky.
Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract across the two states, with the first groundbreakings planned for mid-2024.
These projected stores are making their way through the permitting and approval process. Once that is complete, the company will reveal specific locations and estimated timing of store openings.
The first store locations are projected to open by mid-2025, with openings of 10 locations that year, an additional 10 in 2026 and five stores each year thereafter.
Details on Wawa’s growth plans for the Ohio market were announced Sept. 27 at the American Red Cross headquarters in Cincinnati and at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.
Wawa shared its Indiana growth plans Sept. 28 in Indianapolis at the NCAA Headquarters and Museum.
The gatherings introduced Wawa to the community and allowed company leaders to connect with hundreds of people, including local officials and partners. Attendees also got a glimpse of store design renderings and learned about Wawa, its offerings and commitment to communities.
During the Ohio-based event, Wawa announced more than $20,000 in contributions to four regional community partners: The American Red Cross, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the USO and The National Air Force Museum Foundation.
At the Indiana event, Wawa also announced $10,000 to Riley’s Children’s Hospital and Gleaners Food Bank.
About Wawa
Wawa Inc. is a privately-held, family and associate-owned company that began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family in 1902 began a small processing plant in Wawa, Pennsylvania.
As home delivery of milk declined, his grandson, Grahame Wood, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, the company has nearly 1,000 stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Read more c-store news from The Shelby Report.