Reinette LeJeune
The popular northeastern convenience store chain, Wawa, announced plans to open locations in Georgia by 2024. After success in opening several new locations in Florida, the company announced the peach state as the next region for expansion. Soon Georgia natives and transplants alike will have access to the hoagies, sizzlis breakfast sandwiches, and the chain’s signature coffee that Wawa has become known for.
“Expanding to Georgia is a natural extension from the Florida Panhandle, and we look forward to serving more communities along the East Coast,” John Poplawski, vice president of real estate for Wawa, says in a prepared statement. The company gave no exact information on where these new locations would open in the state, but rather stated that the “southern and coastal” areas of the state were being eyed while indicating that as many as 20 new stores could open around the areas over the next few years. If any residents are craving the chain’s presence, they can fill out location suggestion forms which will help towards final decisions.
The chain will not be without its competition, no matter the locations, as beloved chains like QuikTrip and Buc-ee’s have firm hold on the roadside business of residents. It will also have its food services competing in the coming years with another popular chain that seems intent on expansion into Georgia. Texas based burger chain, Whataburger, plans to open eight new restaurants in the state over the next two years. Another Texas based chain, Shipley Do-Nuts, plans to open 30 new locations as well. The Canadian-based Tim Hortons will also see franchisees Abid Khutliwala and Saleem Lakhani are also looking to bring 15 new locations of the coffee and sandwich chain to metro Atlanta and Columbus over the next five years.
The first Wawa store opened in 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania. With headquarters situated just outside of Philadelphia, the company has locations throughout the Northeast and in southern states like Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
