East Coast icon Wawa planning expansion to Kentucky, Ohio

WAWA, Pa. — Wawa, the East Coast comfort retailer chain with a cult following, is spreading its wings with plans to increase into Ohio and Kentucky within the subsequent few years, the corporate introduced Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania-based firm mentioned it plans to launch its first shops within the states of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky “someday after 2025,” with estimated timeframes and ranges for variety of shops by state to be introduced in early 2023.

Wawa had beforehand introduced an enlargement into Tennessee, and it is at present in search of website ideas to plant its roots within the midwest.

“At Wawa, progress means strengthening our current markets in addition to increasing to each adjoining and new markets so we will attain new mates and neighbors and welcome them as a part of our prolonged household,” mentioned Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s President and CEO. “These markets are the right locations for Wawa to increase based mostly on their sturdy enterprise communities, their family-like environment, and the arrogance that our distinctive provide and superb associates will likely be welcomed by these communities.

Wawa manufacturers itself as an “all day, on daily basis cease” providing vacationers and locals recent meals, refreshing drinks, gasoline and fee-free ATMs. Greater than 1,000 places are open throughout states together with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.

The privately-owned enterprise is one facet of the so-called “comfort retailer battle” that persists in Pennsylvania, the place fervent followers of Wawa and Sheetz have debated and defended their choice for years.

Whereas precise dates aren’t but identified, in only a few years, many residing in Kentucky and Ohio will be capable to partake within the model’s customized hoagies, freshly-brewed espresso, hand-crafted specialty drinks and expansive dinner menu.