Wawa, a privately held, family and associate-owned chain of more than 1,100 convenience retail stores currently operating in 12 states and Washington, DC, will open its first travel center opening in Hope Mills, N.C., on Aug. 28, which will employ about 35 workers. The event will also highlight community partnerships and support for local organizations and celebrate local everyday heroes with Wawa’s signature “Hoagies for Heroes” initiative.
“We are thrilled to pilot this new format in Hope Mills and believe this new travel center model is a great way to bring Wawa to customers while serving a need to the travelers,” said John Poplawski, Wawa Chief Real Estate Officer. “Not only will our Wawa Travel Center meet the fueling needs of professional drivers, but our store will offer the freshest of food, beverages, conveniences and the friendliest flock of associates, while also remaining a community hub for local friends and neighbors to enjoy.”
With over 8,000-square-feet of space, the travel center, in Cumberland County, will offer Wawa’s signature fresh food and beverage offer, fuel for passenger vehicles and a high-speed diesel fuel court for the needs of professional tractor trailer drivers. Fuel features include six high speed diesel fuel lanes, accepting over the road (OTR) payments, and 20 fuel spots for passenger drivers. The store will have interior and exterior seating areas and a large open design for the fresh food and beverage area. Other amenities include a CAT weigh station, free parking for tractor-trailers, well-appointed restrooms and a pet relief area.
Over the next 8-10 years, Wawa plans to build and open 6-8 stores per year reaching a total of 90 stores in North Carolina. To build each store, Wawa will invest more than $7.5 million per store and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners to build the store. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 associates with Wawa expecting to create more than 3,000 long-term new jobs as a result of expansion in North Carolina.