Wawa

[Ted$8roadFan]

Wawa's biggest problem right now seems to be staffing their stores. They keep expanding without much regards to having anyone run the new locations! I know the labor shortages are a universal problem right now, but how many other chains are aggressively expanding at the same level as Wawa?

It's a problem in parts of New England as well. There are two Cumberland Farms locations in close proximity in Reading and Wakefield (each of MA 129 on opposing sides of I-95). The Wakefield one reduced its hours last fall, and recently outright closed temporarily due to the staffing issues for a couple of weeks.

Agreed, it us a problem everywhere. The last time I was in Philly last fall, I of course made numerous trips to Wawa and was surprised by the lines and the dearth of staff. And last week, I was at a Cumberland Farms in Amherst and the line went around the entire store

[bzakharin]

I just discovered this thread. One of the things I missed when I left Tidewater in 2007 was Wawa. One opened near the Navy Base while I was working nearby at the now defunct JFCOM. It was very popular for many, including me, for grabbing a quick lunch. I often got gas there as I thought the price was competitive. The closest equivalent I had when I moved back to St Louis was QuikTrip.

I didn't know wawa was the Ojibwa word for goose. I did, however, know about this huge goose statue alongside the Trans-Canada Highway in Wawa and was surprised nobody mentioned it. I got to see this giant piece of kitsch on a vacation around Lake Superior when I was in junior high.

Lol when I saw this thread pop up my first thought was "should I post the Wawa Goose to be funny?", but you beat me to it. As an Ontarian, Wawa will always be the town first and the gas station second.

Heh, to South Africans "Wawa"  is a slang term for a vagina. My girlfriend always giggles when the store comes up.

In Russian it means something like "boo-boo", a kid's word for a small bruise or the like. It was amusing for awhile

[jeffandnicole]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

https://www.csnews.com/wawa-selects-site-first-alabama-convenience-store

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand. They can't focus in their core area and offerings when they are trying to appease an entirely different market.

The article also quickly draws a comparison between them and Buc-ees. They are not the same. Wawa boasts fast service. They want you in, out, and on your way. Buc-ees is one step away from offering a motel room so you can spend all day there 

[formulanone]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand.

Different strokes for different folks? If the offerings aren't a little different in each area, then they wouldn't be paying attention. I'm sure there's some variety at a store near the shore that's different from those inland. And there's nothing in the article saying it's going to be a "Bucee's-lite".

There is no major convenience store with a stronghold in the state, it's mostly local stores.

[epzik8]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

https://www.csnews.com/wawa-selects-site-first-alabama-convenience-store

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand. They can't focus in their core area and offerings when they are trying to appease an entirely different market.

The article also quickly draws a comparison between them and Buc-ees. They are not the same. Wawa boasts fast service. They want you in, out, and on your way. Buc-ees is one step away from offering a motel room so you can spend all day there

Amazing. Wawa is going places now.

[NJRoadfan]

Fairhope isn't too far from Florida and their planned panhandle locations, a logical expansion. I don't see them going too far inland though.

[jeffandnicole]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand.

Different strokes for different folks? If the offerings aren't a little different in each area, then they wouldn't be paying attention. I'm sure there's some variety at a store near the shore that's different from those inland. 

The shore locations are exactly the same. The variety in the northeast can be summed up with: In VA and some PA stores you'll find beer. That's about it.

And there's nothing in the article saying it's going to be a "Bucee's-lite".

3rd Paragraph is where the comparison was drawn: "And we are excited about it, I mean, we are all familiar with Buc-ee's so it's kind of a smaller version of Buc-ee's..."

[formulanone]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand.

Different strokes for different folks? If the offerings aren't a little different in each area, then they wouldn't be paying attention. I'm sure there's some variety at a store near the shore that's different from those inland. 

The shore locations are exactly the same. The variety in the northeast can be summed up with: In VA and some PA stores you'll find beer. That's about it.

And there's nothing in the article saying it's going to be a "Bucee's-lite".

3rd Paragraph is where the comparison was drawn: "And we are excited about it, I mean, we are all familiar with Buc-ee's so it's kind of a smaller version of Buc-ee's..."

It'll probably be 10-20% the size of a Buc-ee's, honestly. Wawas in Florida have like 16-24 pumps and adequate parking. Maybe they'll try something a little larger but I don't think they'll be these 90-100 pump monoliths. Add in a few more bathroom stalls and call it a day. I wouldn't worry that they'll suddenly need to offer folding knives behind a glass counter and some tacky confederate flag merch just to stay relevant.

The beaver stores are ginormous now...and that's kind of annoying if you just want to stop quickly and then get back on the road, instead of threading through so many items and people wandering around in all directions (which is their intent).

[74/171FAN]

Middletown, PA, will be the 1st opening in Central PA.

[SSOWorld]

Wawa is much more effective at being what it is supposed to be than Buc-ee's.  A C-store

[roadman65]

Wawa has announced they're building their first store in Alabama.

For someone who lives in the heart of Wawa's base market, this is an unfortunate expansion that, while many people that want or miss Wawa will favor, it dilutes the brand.

Different strokes for different folks? If the offerings aren't a little different in each area, then they wouldn't be paying attention. I'm sure there's some variety at a store near the shore that's different from those inland. 

The shore locations are exactly the same. The variety in the northeast can be summed up with: In VA and some PA stores you'll find beer. That's about it.

And there's nothing in the article saying it's going to be a "Bucee's-lite".

3rd Paragraph is where the comparison was drawn: "And we are excited about it, I mean, we are all familiar with Buc-ee's so it's kind of a smaller version of Buc-ee's..."

It'll probably be 10-20% the size of a Buc-ee's, honestly. Wawas in Florida have like 16-24 pumps and adequate parking. Maybe they'll try something a little larger but I don't think they'll be these 90-100 pump monoliths. Add in a few more bathroom stalls and call it a day. I wouldn't worry that they'll suddenly need to offer folding knives behind a glass counter and some tacky confederate flag merch just to stay relevant.

The beaver stores are ginormous now...and that's kind of annoying if you just want to stop quickly and then get back on the road, instead of threading through so many items and people wandering around in all directions (which is their intent).

Some Bucees in the Houston area are smaller in size with a few pumps and Wawa size stores. The one on SH 35 near SH 6 in Alvin is a normal size store for quick in and out.

[Ted$8roadFan]

It's a bold move, comparatively speaking, for Wawa to move into Sheetz territory in central PA. I wonder if it will wor.

[74/171FAN]

It's a bold move, comparatively speaking, for Wawa to move into Sheetz territory in central PA. I wonder if it will wor.

Wawa and Sheetz have both coexisted in the Richmond, VA, area for at least 15-20 years actually.

[jeffandnicole]

It's a bold move, comparatively speaking, for Wawa to move into Sheetz territory in central PA. I wonder if it will wor.

It will.  Wawa has an energetic following, and people are often going to Sheets or another store simply due to not having a Wawa around.

It's a bold move, comparatively speaking, for Wawa to move into Sheetz territory in central PA. I wonder if it will wor.

Wawa and Sheetz have both coexisted in the Richmond, VA, area for at least 15-20 years actually.

Throughout many areas in VA and MD actually.  Will frequently find the blue gas/food signs with both logos on the same sign in these states.

[epzik8]

Wawa is much more effective at being what it is supposed to be than Buc-ee's.  A C-store

Buc-ee's are tourist traps, though good ones at that.

[dfilpus]

I saw my first ad for Wawa on Raleigh NC TV. There are Wawas coming to Fayetteville, which is in the Raleigh TV market.

[hbelkins]

Sheetz >>> Wawa.

[roadman65]

Wawa is much more effective at being what it is supposed to be than Buc-ee's.  A C-store

Buc-ee's are tourist traps, though good ones at that.

You don't use them for convenience as their aim is to have you be there at least 30 minutes. Their store is more like a department store where you're there browsing and tempted to impulse buy.

[Ted$8roadFan]

I meant because they're both based in PA, where the in-state grudge match matters more.

[epzik8]

Apparently, Middletown, where Wawa is opening in September, qualifies as the heart of Sheetz country.

[jeffandnicole]

I saw my first ad for Wawa on Raleigh NC TV. There are Wawas coming to Fayetteville, which is in the Raleigh TV market.

What is their advertising like in a new region? An introduction to their stores, or highlighting a sale or offer like what would be seen in a legacy market?

[roadman65]

https://www.wbtv.com/2024/09/20/wawa-opens-2-new-stores-north-carolina-heres-where/
I see this past month two new stores opened in the Tar Heel State in addition to Kill Devils Hills.

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/third-wawa-in-central-north-carolina-opens-in-rocky-mount/
Oh most recently one in Rocky Mount, NC.

[epzik8]

Now I patiently wait for the inevitable Myrtle Beach expansion.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Meanwhile, Sheetz is expanding into Michigan.

[NJRoadfan]

What is their advertising like in a new region? An introduction to their stores, or highlighting a sale or offer like what would be seen in a legacy market?

WAWA HAS PIZZA!

(sorry, had to do it)

Reading the Buc-ees thread, people were complaining about the lack of tables and seating to eat. Folks at Wawa adapt and just have a DelCo picnic using the top of trashcans as a makeshift table. Some of the newer stores (particularly in FL) finally have some outdoor seating areas.