Get ready to grab a hoagie. There are more Wawa locations coming to Florida in August.
The cult-favorite gas station/convenience store has added three new Florida grand openings to its coming-soon page, in Wildwood, Ocala and Jacksonville. The Sunshine State seems to be a popular destination: the Pennsylvania-based chain has more locations here — about 305, according to statistics site ScrapeHero — than any other state.
Wawa is known for fresh food and excellent customer service, and has developed a passionate fan base beyond the reguar customers who just want a fill-up. People have gotten married at a Wawa. There are songs about it. People get tattoos. Whenever a new location opens, teeming crowds gather for a near-Mardi Gras experience.
When the grand opening festivities begin at 7:45 a.m. for the countdown to the ribbon-cutting ceremony at each new location, the first 100 customers in line will get free t-shirts and everyone will get free coffee (any size). There will also be a hoagie-building competition between local first responders.
Wawa currently has more than 1,110 stores across 10 states and Washington D.C. and serves more than 1 billion customers every year, according to the company.
When, where are new Wawa locations opening in Florida?
Accoring to the company's new stores page, new locations are opening in:
Wildwood: 5945 E County Road 462, on Aug. 14
Ocala: 5200 S Pine Ave, on Aug 21
Jacksonville: 11381 Normandy Blvd, on Aug. 21
What is Wawa? Why is Wawa famous?
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the standard Wawa offers all the things you'd expect from a convenience store — snacks, lottery tickets, drinks, tobacco, gas (at most locations), etc. — but they also offer a larger variety of fresh food than most fast-food restaurants such as their made-to-order, fan-favorite hoagies and the hot breakfast "Sizzli" sandwiches.
In 2018, Wawa was voted America's favorite sandwich shop in Market Force Information's annual survey of nearly 11,500 consumers.
Wawas also are famous for customer service, scrupulously clean bathrooms, decent gas prices, free air for your tires and no-charge ATMs. They're a comforting presence for travelers and a community hub for neighborhoods.
USA TODAY 10Best readers' choice awards named Wawa a runner-up this year for Best Gas Station for Food and Best Gas Station Brand.
In 2024, Forbes.com ranked Wawa at No. 22 in the list of America’s Largest Private Companies and included the company in the 2025 America’s Best Employers for Women and 2025 Best Employers for New Grads lists. Newsweek ranked Wawa No. 1 in the Convenience Category for their America’s Best Customer Service list.
What does "Wawa" mean? What is Wawa short for?
"Wawa" is an Ojibwe Native American word that translates, more or less, as “Canada goose." It's also the name of the town where this version of the company developed and where the corporate offices still reside. That's also why there's a goose on the company's corporate logo.
Where was the first Wawa store in Florida?
The first Wawa in Florida opened on July 18, 2012, in Orlando, across from SeaWorld.
The first drive-thru Wawa in Florida (and the third in the company) opened in Largo in June last year.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Wawa opening new stores in Jacksonville, Ocala, Wildwood Florida
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