Wawa will close two stores months after being crowned the best convenience store chain in America.
Wawa spokesperson Jennifer Wolf apologized for the closures in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They will shut with little notice on April 22 and 24.
‘It has been a pleasure serving the community for many years and we are grateful for the support of the local community,’ Wolf told NBC10.
Wolf did not reveal the reason why Wawa has decided to close these stores.
However, a Pennsylvania Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) claimed it was due to failed efforts to change the store’s design to meet customers’ needs.
Wawa still has over 20 locations in Philadelphia, 1,000 across the US.
Wawa has maintained strong revenue since announcing in 2023 it plans to open 160 stores over the next eight to ten years, starting with locations in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
The first new stores are set to open this year.
Wawa will close two locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, months after being named the best convenience store chain in America
Wawa expressed its gratitude to all the shoppers and associates who helped make it the reigning best convenience store chain.
‘These ratings are incredibly meaningful to all Wawa associates as they strive to provide the best possible customer experience every day,’ CEO Chris Gheysens added.
Wawa’s menu, which features hoagies, built-to-order wraps, and pizza, was highly praised after the win.
Its full breakfast menu and Delivery & Curbside Pickup services were also factors in the win.
In addition to Pennsylvania, Wawa operates stores in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.
Before becoming a top convenience store chain, Wawa was founded as Wawa Dairy in 1902, delivering milk to homes throughout Philadelphia.
The first Wawa Food Market opened in Folsom, Pennsylvania, in 1964, and by then, stores were operating in New Jersey and Delaware, serving foods like burgers and fried chicken.
Wawa’s hoagies debuted in 1970, leading to its “Best of Philly” award for coffee and deli throughout the 1980s.
The restaurant chain announced its plans to open 160 locations over the next eight to ten years in 2023
As of now, there are currently over 1,000 Wawa locations operating in the US
The Store had to shut locations last year
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The chain continued to grow, creating its fan-favorite Hoagie Day and launching the Wawa Foundation, which supports causes related to health, hunger, and everyday heroes.
After introducing Delivery & Curbside Pickup in 2021, Wawa debuted its dinner menu, further cementing its status as a favorite.
Today, Wawa employs around 47,000 workers and remains a privately owned company.
The chain is on track to achieve its goal of opening 160 new locations. It is preparing to open its first-ever Ohio store on Wednesday, offering limited-time promotions like free hot coffee and limited-edition t-shirts.
Once the Ohio store opens, Wawa will turn its attention to its first Indiana store, scheduled for May 15.
The company has not confirmed how many stores will open this year.
Meanwhile, last year Wisconsin convenience store and gas station chain The Store was forced to close all of its 25 locations.
The Store, established in 1976, shuttered its businesses at the end of July last year. It also had locations in Michigan.
But this is not the story of another retail chain getting into financial trouble or being hit with falling sales.
The Wisconsin staple was forced to close after the company that owns its buildings and land, Mountain Express Oil, entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy last year.