Posted on 10/24/2025 9:49:24 AM PDT by sopo
One of America’s largest convenience store chains, Wawa, boasts a cult-like following, inspiring merch, tattoos, songs and even marriage proposals.
Now Wawa is hoping to expand that powerful customer loyalty found in its core markets into the Midwest and South.
The company — with deep roots in Philadelphia and South Jersey — has built a reputation on fresh, high-quality food and beverages — items not typically associated with gas stations. Its signature hoagies, Sizzli sandwiches and popular limited-time offers such as the Thanksgiving-inspired “Gobbler,” have made Wawa a destination.
WIKI
In November 2013, Capriotti’s expanded its presence on the East Coast by opening its first location in Washington DC. Joe Biden was the first customer served at the store’s grand opening.
Founded 1976; 49 years ago
Wilmington, Delaware, US
Founders Lois and Alan Margolet
Headquarters Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Number of locations 160+
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capriotti‘s
In our area now (south jersey) Wawa is costly. Their gas is the most expensive around. The prices for their prepared foods are way up. They have more variety of prepared foods but the quality not as good. However, it still beats 7-11 by a mile, which is the only real competition just by being clean, well stocked, and selling food that wasn't made a week ago in 100 miles away.
The WaWas in Connecticut in the 1970s were just a run-of-the mill convenience store. One level up from Food Bag, and no better than Cumberland Farms.
We are finally getting a Bucc-ees in the Phoenix, AZ area. I will check that up.
“Developed by Lois Margolet and named after her Aunt Bobbie Capriotti.”
https://www.food.com/recipe/the-bobbie-133868
Here in the DC metro area, their prices are pretty comparable to most fast food places, but their food is much better. I’ve never been disappointed in a WAWA meal.
“Their gas is the most expensive around.”
I haven’t checked in a about a year, but in my part of Florida Wawa gas prices were always in line with those of the other vendors.
Does Wawa peddle electric prunes? Asking for a friend.
None around me, I guess. Their personal pepperoni pizza is $8.19 plus tax. Yesterday, we finished off a $2.50 homemade 11x17” pepperoni and everyone’s hands were washed.
I’ve never tried their pizza. We like their subs.
Wawa?
Thought it was all about Sleeperdude’s kid.
Love that grabber of a title! You don’t steal customers, customers leave on their own accord for various reasons.
Running two businesses [gas station + sandwich shop] on one piece of real estate can be a good idea.
Aldi does two-on-one [grocery store + Chinese chattels] business too, but on smaller parcels and a less diverse basis than Walmart.
When on the road, I will stop to go wee-wee at Wawa.
I don’t see anything extraordinary:
https://www.wawa.com/menu/lunch-dinner/hoagies-specialty-sandwiches/cold-hoagies
Steal away from Starbucks. I used to go there all the time. Just got to the point where three dollars plus for a small cup of coffee is absolutely ludicrous. Plus they changed everything to the new coffee machines and the coffee is at least three times stronger. It’s absolutely unbreakable anymore. And this coming from a guy that likes strong, dark coffee.
Truth is they stole alot of their business plan from Sheetz (out of Altoona).
They had a deal for years where Wawa wouldn’t go too far to west in PA and Sheetz wouldn’t go too far east. That went out the window a couple of years ago.
Back then they did agree that Sheetz would take the Carolinas and Wawa would take FL. That seems to be holding.
Wawa has slightly better food. Sheetz has a slightly better menu imo.
Are they “stealing”? Or are people just going there instead? Not hard to do a little better than the three listed in the title.
Maybe the fact they are equipped with multi needs is a draw for busy people.
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