Wawa to open 160 stores across three states starting in 2025
The year 2024 is shaping up as a very big one for Wawa.
The convenience store chain announced plans to open 60 stores stores in Ohio, 60 locations in Indiana and 40 in Kentucky during the next eight to ten years, with the first groundbreakings expected in mid-2024.
In Ohio and Indiana, (as well as Kentucky), the first locations are projected to open by mid-2025, with plans to open up to 10 locations that year. Ten additional stores are expected to open in 2026, and five each year thereafter.
So far, Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract in Ohio across Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Miami, Montgomery and Warren Counties.
In Indiana, Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract across Clark, Dearborn, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion and Wayne Counties.
In Kentucky, Wawa has more than 15 sites under contract across Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Warren Counties.
The projected stores are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process. The company said it is actively looking into potential sites for new stores in the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky markets.
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 workers. (Wawa associates own 39% of the Company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.)
Details on Wawa’s growth plans for the Ohio market were announced at two Community Partnership Day events that the company held in Cincinnati and Dayton on Sept. 27. The retailer 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 with contributions totaling more than $20,000.
Wawa’s growth plans for the Indiana market were announced at a Community Partnership event on Sept. 28 in Indianapolis. The company also announced contributions to two regional community partners: Riley Children’s Hospital and Gleaners Food Bank, with contributions totaling $10,000.
Wawa revealed its growth plans for the Kentucky market at two Community Partnership events, with one in Louisville and the other in Lexington. The company 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.
The Partnership Day events are designed to introduce Wawa to the community and allow company leaders to connect with hundreds of new friends, neighbors and VIP customers, as well as local officials and partners.
The privately held, family and associate-owned Wawa currently operates nearly 1,000 stores across in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C.