Wawa Experimenting With Travel Center Concept in North Carolina

A rendering shows Wawa’s proposed travel center, a prototype under construction near Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Wawa has built its brand on being a neighborhood community convenience store but now it’s trying a new approach reaching truckers and other travelers on the road, writes Jim Walsh for the Cherry Hill Courier Post, as reported at Delaware Online.

The Delaware County-based convenience-store chain is building its first travel center along an interstate in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  

It’s expected to offer “a high-speed diesel fuel court for the needs of professional tractor trailer drivers,” according to a statement from Wawa.

There will be six lanes for diesel fuel and 20 spots for conventional motorists.  Amenities will include parking for tractor trailers and a weigh station, along with “well-appointed restrooms and a pet relief area.”

The center will also feature indoor and outdoor seating and a “large open design for the fresh food and beverage area,” according to the Wawa statement.

The store is larger than a Super Wawa, at 8,400 square feet.  

“Wawa has a 60-year history of innovating and evolving our store design to meet the changing needs of our customers,” said Walt Poplawski, the company’s chief real estate officer.

“Our Wawa Travel Center is the latest concept we are testing.”

It’s projected to open by mid-2025.

Find out more about Wawa’s new travel center in Delaware Online.