Wawa plans expansion in NC, opens first store in Outer Banks
A beloved convenience store chain just opened its first North Carolina location — but it’s not done making its mark on the state.
Wawa said it plans to open almost two dozen North Carolina stores through 2025. And within the next decade, the number of statewide locations is expected to reach 90.
Wawa shared the updates May 14, two days before it opened its first North Carolina store. The store is on Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills, a town on the popular Outer Banks barrier islands.
“This historic milestone kicks off our ongoing growth and expansion in North Carolina as we continue to build new stores and create new jobs,” Brian Schaller, president of Wawa, said in a May 16 news release.
So far, the company’s growth is focused on Eastern North Carolina and Johnston County, outside of Raleigh. Here’s where Wawa plans to open new stores in 2024.
Elizabeth City Goldsboro (two)
Greenville Rocky Mount Wilson (two)
“In 2025, Wawa projects opening up to 11 stores in additional counties including Robeson, Pitt, Cumberland, Onslow, Johnston, Nash, Pender, Brunswick and New Hanover,” the company wrote.
Also, within the next 10 years, “Wawa plans to build and open 6-8 stores per year, reaching a total of 90 stores in North Carolina.”
Wawa is based in Pennsylvania and has almost 1,000 stores in the eastern United States. Many customers love its coffee and food — including the fan-favorite hoagies, The News & Observer reported.
The expansion plans come as another popular convenience store chain, Buc-ee’s, hopes to start a footprint in North Carolina. That store is expected to open a location in Mebane, a roughly 30mile drive east from Greensboro.