Wawa began over 200 years ago as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA. Then, as home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market as an outlet for our dairy products. This year marked our 47th year in the retail business and we are considered one of the most successful privately-held companies in America, having evolved into a regional convenience store chain with over 590 stores within the five-state Mid-Atlantic region.
Wawa is a company that is guided by a core purpose and a set of core values that help ingrain us into the communities in which we operate and create a family like atmosphere that makes us unique. We have created a personal connection with our customers through our over 17,000 associates whose core purpose is to simplify the daily lives of the nearly half billion customers that we serve annually. Our associates are the heart of the Wawa brand, and they do much more than brew coffee, make hoagies and pump gas. They help their friends and neighbors have a better day, getting through their busy schedule with a pleasant experience.
Today, Wawa is considered one of the leaders in the convenience retailing industry. Wawa exceeds industry norms in virtually every measurable category of sales and profits. How do we achieve such results? Wawa’s appetizing foodservice offer and innovative merchandising approach distinguishes us from our competitors. Our combination of fresh foods, Wawa brands, including hoagies and freshly brewed coffee, and service offering, such as surcharge-free ATMs and fuel, combine to provide customers with a unique one-stop shopping experience.
Through the years, Wawa has consistently invested in the communities in which we operate. Our stores are long-term investments in the community, and our growth has helped fuel the success of others in the community. Wawa’s connection with the community goes well beyond that of a typical business. Being a good neighbor and recognizing our responsibility to the communities in which we live and work is an equally important part of our business. Every year, we commit millions of dollars in contributions in financial grants from the Wawa Charities Fund, we conduct in-store fundraising campaigns that have a significant, positive impact on regional and local charities and we support numerous special events through product donations and volunteering.
Our business has come a long way over its 200 year history, continuously evolving to meet customers’ changing needs. And, while we have experienced much change, what hasn’t changed are the company’s core values that drive a culture of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and a family-like bond between our associates and our customers.
To learn more about Wawa, visit www.wawa.com.
Wawa will be honored with the Visionary award at the Chamber’s 29th annual Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 17. The award is sponsored by Stradley Ronon. View more information or register for the awards ceremony here.
