Pennsylvania-based convenience chain Wawa has detailed plans for its expansion into Indiana. Photo provided by Wawa.

News Release

WAWA, PA. — Wawa, a privately held, family-owned chain of more than 1,000 convenience retail stores currently operating in six states and Washington, D.C., shared new details on its expansion into the state of Indiana for the first time during its Community Partnership Day Tour in the state on Thursday, Sept. 28.

Wawa’s expansion into Indiana includes plans to open approximately 60 stores across the region over the next eight to 10 years, with the first groundbreakings beginning in mid-2024. So far, Wawa has more than 16 sites under contract across Clark, Dearborn, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion and Wayne counties. These projected stores are currently making their way through the permitting and approval process, and Wawa will announce specific locations and estimated timing for the first store openings in the state once these processes are complete. The first store locations are projected to open by mid-2025, with plans to open up to 10 locations that year, 10 additional stores in 2026 and five stores each year thereafter. Wawa teams continue to look for sites throughout the market.

To build each store, Wawa will invest approximately $7 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ, on average, 35 associates, with Wawa expecting to create more than 2,200 new jobs as a result of its expansion. Wawa associates own 39% of the company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Details on Wawa’s growth plans for the Indiana market were announced at a Community Partnership event Sept. 28 in Indianapolis at the NCAA headquarters and museum. These events officially introduced Wawa to the community and allowed Wawa leaders to connect with hundreds of new friends, neighbors and customers, as well as local officials and partners. In addition, attendees received a glimpse of new store design renderings and had the opportunity to hear about the Wawa story, Wawa’s unique offering and Wawa’s commitment to its new Midwest region communities, including new partnerships and community support of local organizations.

“We were thrilled to share our ‘flight plan’ for Indiana and reveal, for the very first time, our exciting expansion plans, renderings and more with our newest soon-to-be neighbors,” said Joe Collins, director of store operations for Wawa. “Our Community Partnership Day event also gave us the opportunity to meet new community members and talk a little bit about our history and what makes Wawa such an ideal fit for communities in this region. We can’t wait to begin putting shovels into the ground next year. As we get closer to our grand openings in 2025, we will be sharing even more details on our growth in Indiana and connecting with more customers, communities, partners and nonprofit organizations that together make this such an incredible region to be a part of.”

At the Community Partnership Day event, Wawa also encouraged guests to enjoy a Taste of Wawa, including samples of freshly made hoagies, freshly brewed coffee and other handcrafted beverages as it debuted its new Wawa Community Care Beverage Vehicle. Altogether, Wawa distributed thousands of samples of Wawa strawberry smoothies and Wawa Dragon Fruit Refreshers, hundreds of cups of Wawa regular and flavored coffees, and hundreds of hoagie samples.

Finally, Wawa announced contributions to two regional community partners: Riley Children’s Hospital and Gleaners Food Bank, with contributions totaling $10,000.

Wawa Inc. began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey and later expanded into the dairy business in Wawa, Pa. The first Wawa Food Market opened in 1964. Today, stores offer a large fresh food service selection, including Wawa brands, such as custom prepared hoagies, freshly brewed coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, handcrafted specialty beverages and a dinner menu including burgers and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.

Forbes.com ranked Wawa as No. 24 of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2021, No. 12 on Forbes 100 Halo List in 2022 and one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Employers for Women and New College Grads. The company also was ranked No. 1 by Newsweek for Best Customer Service in the Convenience category.