WAWA, PA — Wawa, Inc. marked a major milestone this week with the grand opening of its first-ever Travel Center, a new store format designed to serve professional drivers, long-distance travelers, and local communities alike. The flagship location, situated at 630 Chicken Foot Road in Cumberland County, welcomed hundreds of customers, local officials, and community partners for its debut celebration.
A New Chapter in Wawa’s Growth
The Hope Mills Travel Center is the first of its kind across Wawa’s chain and represents the company’s effort to expand beyond traditional convenience and fuel stops. “We’re thrilled to premier the new Travel Center format in Hope Mills and bring Wawa’s fresh food, beverages and convenience to local customers while serving a need to the community, travelers and professional drivers,” said Brian Schaller, President of Wawa. He added that this new concept will roll out to additional markets in Ohio and Indiana in the coming months.
Expanded Amenities for Travelers
Spanning over 8,000 square feet, the new Travel Center offers Wawa’s signature food and beverage options alongside upgraded amenities tailored for heavy-duty transportation. The site features:
- Six high-speed diesel fuel lanes with OTR (over the road) payment capability
- Twenty fuel spots for passenger vehicles
- A CAT weigh station and free tractor-trailer parking
- Spacious restrooms and a pet relief area
- Indoor and outdoor seating with a redesigned open food and beverage area
The location also highlights Wawa’s commitment to electric mobility, celebrating a milestone of reaching 200 stores chainwide with EV charging stations.
Community Commitment and Grand Opening Festivities
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a “Hoagies for Heroes” competition honoring first responders, along with a “Lending a Helping Hoagie” campaign. A portion of the first week’s hoagie sales—up to $2,500—will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina.
Long-Term Investment in North Carolina
The Hope Mills Travel Center is Wawa’s 15th location in North Carolina, with the company planning aggressive expansion across the state. Over the next decade, Wawa expects to open 90 stores, investing roughly $7.5 million per site and creating an estimated 3,000 long-term jobs. Each location is projected to employ around 35 associates once operational, while construction will generate work for more than 140 contractors and local partners.
By establishing its first Travel Center in Hope Mills, Wawa has signaled not only a bold step in its business model but also a deeper commitment to strengthening ties with North Carolina communities.
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