MOBILE, Ala.—Wawa plans to open 40 new locations in the Florida Panhandle/South Alabama area, reports AL.com. The Pennsylvania-based c-store chain announced its expansion into the area last spring and is now detailing the expansion.
The 40 stores will be built over the next eight to 10 years. There are two confirmed sites in West Mobile and two in Pensacola. There are an additional four sites in Mobile that are under consideration. The first stores will break ground in 2023 and open in 2024, and the company will invest about $6.5 million per store. Each store will employ around 35 associates, with salaries starting at $15 per hour.
“We are delighted to have Wawa in this area. It is an affirmation of the economic growth here because they’ve done their market study. They know that this is a vastly expanding economy and they want to be able to take advantage of it,” said Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne in a statement.
Wawa also announced its support of local nonprofits, including the Coast Guard Foundation; USA Health Children’s and Women’s Hospital; and Prodisee Pantry.
“We’re thrilled to be flying into the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama region, which advances our overall growth projection and spreads our wings further into adjacent markets,” said Robert Yeatts, senior director of store operations for Wawa. “Wawa’s expansion plans represent a strong commitment to the area and demonstrate Wawa’s plans to invest in these local markets for years to come.”
Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens recently announced the company is planning to open travel centers in its new and existing markets in the coming years.
“Think of it as a Wawa on steroids. A lot bigger of a store, a lot bigger of an offer, a lot bigger of a parking lot, more amenities,” Gheysens said during the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia's 2023 Economic Outlook.
The travel centers would not provide overnight stay, but they would have amenities for light-duty vehicles carrying individuals and family travelers and single-day commercial truckers.
Wawa is in the midst of the “most aggressive growth” in the company’s history. Wawa plans to operate 1,800 stores by 2030, almost doubling its current store count of 975, and expand its store presence into Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. The retailer currently operates locations in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Wawa discussed its social purpose with NACS in the 2021 Ideas 2 Go video series. For more on how convenience retailers are engaging customers, read “Today’s Customer Journey” in NACS Magazine.