Who Owns Wawa ?

Wawa is among the largest convenience store chains in the US. Many Wawa locations also have gas stations. The chain originated in Philadelphia and is now spread throughout the midwestern United States and the East Coast.

Some of the primary locations where the company has hundreds of chains include Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In addition, Wawa has established operations in Florida. However, when it comes to who owns Wawa, it is essential to know that most of its convenience stores are concentrated throughout Pennsylvania.

The company gradually spread operations throughout the rest of the country. Plus, the business’s headquarters is also in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania. According to 2015 reports, Wawa was ranked 34th on the list of the US’s largest convenience stores and retailers, with no real competitors. In 2008, however, Wawa was named the biggest convenience chain in Philadelphia Metropolitan area, securing third place as the largest food retailer in greater Philadelphia, trailing behind giants such as ShopRite and Acme Markets.

Image credit A n v e s h — Image credit: A n v e s h

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More Than Two Hundred Years of American Entrepreneurship and Business

When it comes to knowing who owns Wawa, you have to understand the history of this proud and successful enterprise. The Wood family is responsible for introducing the Wawa stores and gasoline stations.

Wawa stores are known for their tech-infused and innovative store designs and for offering various food items and other consumer products.

Up to two hundred direct descendants of the family patriarch, George Wood, also share ownership in the Wawa business. However, the family does not own all of the enterprise. Wawa employees and leadership own up to 40% of the industry, thanks to the company running on an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).

Starting 221 years ago, in 1803 in Pennsylvania, the Wood family was initially vested in a separate business – they ran an iron foundry. Taking an exciting turn in the industry, George Wood started dairy farming. In 1902, he pioneered a milk processing factory in Pennsylvania, moving from New Jersey, where the family operated the foundry.

Until 1964, the popularity of daily milk deliveries in the US was on the down low, which was when the Wood family realized that they needed to adjust their business model. However, in 1964, Grahame Wood, the grandson of George Wood, had an epiphany – and that was to start the Wawa Food Market.

The food market was essentially established to help maximize the sale of their dairy products; they decided to quickly expand operations to include a variety of consumer food items such as hot meals, snacks, comfort foods, food for travelers, and a slew of tasty beverages, both hot and cold.

Over the decades, the family grew the number of stores to 253 in Pennsylvania alone. There are 288 stores in New Jersey, and in Florida, the number of Wawa stores has risen to 280.

Apart from that, there are 49 stores in Delaware, 5 in DC, 65 in Maryland, and 110 in Virginia. What’s also interesting about Wawa is almost half of all the stores throughout these locations also sell gasoline. In addition, co-creator of the whacky “Jackass” movies, actor and director Johnny Knoxville also sports a Wawa tattoo on his body, signifying that he is an ardent fan of the brand.

The Business Leadership of Wawa Inc.

After the retirement of former CEO Howard Stoeckel, Chris Gheysens was appointed the new group CEO of Wawa Inc. in 2013. Before retirement, the company’s President and Chief Financial Officer was Eleuthère du Pont. The company’s current chairman is Richard Wood Jr. It is also interesting to know that plenty of members of the Wood family are currently working in different capacities in the company.

Business Locations and Real Estate Holdings

According to 2015 statistics, Wawa Inc. was ranked 34th on Forbes’ list of the biggest privately held business organizations in the US, with a staggering year-on-year revenue of more than $9.6 billion. Plus, the number of Wawa employees across several of its locations amounted to more than 22,000 people working at more than 700 stores across the US. Out of these seven hundred stores, more than 435 have gas stations.

As of 35 years ago, in 1989, the company and the Wood family bought and shared a controlling interest in more than 725 acres of land that houses convenience stores, dairy farms, and many other business assets.

Image credit Meadow Marie — Image credit: Meadow Marie

Wawa Promotional Programs and Marketing

Along with selling a wide variety of consumer food items such as snacks and all types of hot and cold beverages, when it comes to knowing who owns Wawa, you will also be surprised to learn that the company also provides ATM services free of surcharge. The organization initiated this program in 1985 by partnering with PNC Bank.

In 2010, the company, in collaboration with the PNC Bank, conducted more than 1 billion transactions. Starting in the early 90s, the brand also promoted several collegiate scholarship programs, mainly for immigrant Irish students in Pennsylvania working at different stores in the state. The company provides scholarships for such students, allowing them to pursue their Master’s degrees from Saint Joseph’s University.

The Types of Products Sold by Wawa

You can think of Wawa as another Walmart or Target—with one major exception: Wawa outpaces everyone else regarding food variety. They sell everything from snacks, sandwiches, pizzas, drinks, sodas, coffees, alcohol, milk, juices, iced teas, and much more. It also has soda fountains installed, offering a wide variety of classic and modern beverages on tap.

There’s no question that when you talk about the proper convenience of shopping, it doesn’t get any better than Wawa. The brand continually expands, opening new locations in the rest of the US.

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