Wawa plans to double store footprint

Wawa Inc. is thinking big.

The convenience-store retailer is plotting the “most aggressive growth" in its history, with plans to nearly double its footprint during the next 10 years, reported the Philadelphia Business Journal. Wawa currently operates approximately 965 stores throughout  Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington, D.C. 

The company wants to operate approximately 1,800 locations by 2030,  CEO Chris Gheysen told the Journal, ramping up growth to some 100 stores annually. The expansion will include stores in select existing markets as well as new ones such as North Carolina, where it is currently looking for sites. According to the report, Wawa is looking to “fill in” the area between Virginia and Florida.

The retailer will continue to test its standalone drive-thru format, which made its debut in January 2021, in  Morrisville, Pa. Two additional locations are scheduled to open in Pennsylvania this year.  It will bring the format to Florida in 2023, according to the report.