With the first store now open in North Carolina, Wawa said plans are locked in to add more locations in the state by the end of the year.
Some might compare the convenience store to the likes of Sheetz or Buc-ee’s, a powerful fan brand that is known across most of the country.
Its first store in the state opened on May 16 in Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks. The chain already plans to expand, opening over 20 more stores by the end of next year.
The Wawa Foundation recently awarded a $2,500 grant to the Coast Guard Foundation in Kill Devil Hills to support Coast Guard programs.
“We are also thrilled about extending our commitment to being a good neighbor to Dare County, and our partnerships with the Coast Guard Foundation and Special Olympics North Carolina Dare County athletes are examples of how we will support local causes,” Brian Schaller, president of Wawa, said.
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Additional locations for this year include Greenville, Wilson and Elizabeth City. Places like Pitt, New Hanover and Robeson counties will see a store in 2025, according to a release.
Each store brings about 35 new employees with it.
Before coming to the state, the nearest Wawa was about two hours away in Virginia.
The Pennsylvania-based company has about 1,000 stores across the east coast to date and features a convenience store and gas station at each location.
The company began as an iron foundry in New Jersey in 1803, before transitioning to dairy and finally a convenience store.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
Like Costco or Buc-ee’s, the privately held, family-owned company has a loyal customer base who enjoys raving about certain perks the chain features.
For instance, like Costco’s rotisserie chicken, customers at Wawa can enjoy getting any size coffee for just a dollar.
The perk has been even more apparent as the country continues to fight off inflation, seeing many fast food chains double or even triple the price of some previous low-cost options.
Another fan favorite, the Sizzli, is a breakfast sandwich that is fully customizable. Many also enjoy the chain’s hoagies.
