WAWA, Pa.—Wawa announced it will expand its store presence into the states of Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio in line with its long-term expansion plan to fuel future store growth in adjacent and new markets.

“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 president and 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 market expansion also includes the previously announced state of Tennessee. These market launches will take place sometime after 2025, with estimated timeframes and ranges for the number of stores by state to be announced in 2023.

“We have received thousands of requests over the years to spread our wings further west. We couldn’t be more excited to announce our growth plans in these markets as we will soon serve more people in new communities with our unique brand and offer,” said John Poplawski, vice president of real estate for Wawa. “We can’t wait to reconnect with those that know us from existing markets and meet new friends and neighbors come 2025 and beyond.”

Wawa also recently announced expansion plans for adjacent markets in the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia, with the first stores projected to open in those markets in 2024.

Earlier this year, Wawa announced that aims to nearly double its store count in what the company’s CEO called “the most aggressive growth” in the company’s history.

Wawa discussed its social purpose with NACS in the 2021 Ideas 2 Go video series.