CSNews Online

Convenience Retailers Continue to Explore New Markets

Sheetz and Wawa will introduce their brands to new geographies

SHEETZ INC. AND WAWA INC., both headquartered in Pennsylvania, are preparing to grow their footprints — this time by heading farther west.

Altoona-based Sheetz will expand into Michigan, with the first store location projected to open in 2025 starting in the Detroit market.

The move into the Great Lakes State will mark the first time Sheetz has expanded into a new state in nearly two decades — when the retailer opened its first convenience store in North Carolina in 2004.

“We are thrilled to continue our growth into Michigan and bring the ultimate one-stop-shop to people across the state,” said Travis Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz. “Sheetz is dedicated to being a great employer and neighbor and we cannot wait to put those values into action as we expand into our first new state in two decades.”

Wawa is setting its sights on three new states as part of an expansion path: Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. These states are part of Wawa’s long-term expansion plan to fuel future store growth in adjacent and new markets, bringing its unique offer and experience to more communities than ever before, the company stated.

“At Wawa, growth means strengthening our existing markets, as well as expanding to both adjacent and new markets, so we can reach new friends and neighbors and welcome them as part of our extended family,” said Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens. “These markets are the perfect places for Wawa to expand based on their strong business communities, their family-like atmosphere, and the confidence that our unique offer and amazing associates will be welcomed by these communities. We look forward to bringing our freshly prepared food, specialty beverages, fuel and convenience services to these new areas, all while creating new jobs and meaningful community support.”

Pennsylvania continues to be a part of both Sheetz and Wawa’s growth plans, too, while the latter also has plans for new stores in Tennessee, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.