Wawa: The origin of the Tri-State area’s most cherished one-stop pit stops

Jessica Woods

Wawa is an inherently Jersey thing, even though it has its roots in neighboring Pennsylvania. The chain, which has become one of the Garden State’s most beloved pit stops, has spread throughout the region over the years, even in Florida.

But for New Jerseyans, Wawa will always be ours. The chain is most common in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware tri-state area.

Wawa is a convenience store and gas station chain that is known for its fresh food, coffee, and other beverages. Founded in 1964, Wawa has become a beloved institution in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. With over 800 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington D.C., Wawa is a go-to destination for those seeking a quick and easy meal or a fill-up for their car.


The origins of Wawa date back to the late 19th century, when a group of dairy farmers in Wawa, Pennsylvania decided to form a cooperative to produce and sell milk. In 1902, the Wawa Dairy Farm opened its doors and soon became known for its high-quality milk and dairy products.

Over time, the Wawa Dairy Farm expanded its offerings, selling a wide variety of food and beverage products, including coffee, sandwiches, and snacks. In 1964, the first Wawa Food Market opened in Folsom, Pennsylvania, selling a range of food and beverage items along with gasoline. The name “Wawa” was chosen because it was the name of the town where the original dairy farm was located and because it was easy for children to pronounce.

The Wawa Food Market concept proved to be popular, and over the next few decades, the company continued to expand throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In the 1980s, Wawa introduced its own private-label brand of products, including coffee, soda, and snacks, which quickly became customer favorites.

In addition to its food and beverage offerings, Wawa is also known for its commitment to customer service. The company has a unique “customer touch” policy, which requires employees to greet every customer with a friendly “Hello” and to offer assistance in any way possible. This policy has helped to create a loyal customer base, and has contributed to the company’s continued success.

Today, Wawa continues to expand, with plans to open more stores in Florida and other parts of the country. The company remains committed to its roots, offering high-quality food and beverage products and providing exceptional customer service. With its iconic goose logo and beloved food and beverage offerings, Wawa has become a beloved institution in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

You appear to be using an ad blocker

Shore News Network is a free website that does not use paywalls or charge for access to original, breaking news content. In order to provide this free service, we rely on advertisements. Please support our journalism by disabling your ad blocker for this website.