Dive Brief:
- Wawa will break ground on its first convenience stores in Georgia on March 7, according to a company announcement.
- The sites are located in Brunswick and Jesup, about 80 and 70 miles south of Savannah, respectively. Wawa will host back-to-back groundbreaking events that will include appearances from company leaders, as well as state and local officials.
- Wawa will break ground in Georgia about a year and a half after revealing plans to open up to 20 stores in the state in 2024.
Dive Insight:
When Wawa first announced plans to enter Georgia, the company’s Vice President of Real Estate John Poplawski called the move a “natural extension from the Florida Panhandle,” where it’s also set to open several new stores starting this year.
Wawa’s announcement that it will break ground in the state on March 7 comes about a week after the convenience retailer received approval for a location in Pooler, about 12 miles west of downtown Savannah. That site is expected to include 16 fueling spaces and a 6,100-square-foot convenience store.
The events in Brunswick and Jesup next week will help the Pennsylvania-based retailer introduce itself to the regions. Wawa will share details of its company history and culture and offer an update on its state-wide expansion plans. It will also offer tastings of food and beverage items on its menu.
Additionally, Wawa is expected to showcase local investments and job opportunities, as well as connect with local charities and community members.
Besides Georgia, Wawa is also in the midst of expanding to Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. These arrivals underscore the company’s goal to reach 1,800 c-stores by 2030.
Wawa operates over 1,040 stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Washington D.C.
