Wawa Expands to Ohio: Grand Opening in Liberty Township

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Wawa officially opened its first location in Ohio on Wednesday, bringing its popular made-to-order hoagies and freshly brewed coffee to local consumers. The grand opening offers a free hot coffee promotion from April 16 to April 27, attracting customers eager to experience the beloved convenience store.

Wawa’s unique approach distinguishes it from local competitors, combining gas station services with a high-quality food experience. The store features a budget-friendly “2-4-6 Menu,” allowing shoppers to purchase select items for just $2, $4, or $6.

West Chester resident Christy Nichols expressed her enthusiasm about the new Wawa’s arrival. “We’re used to having the same few gas stations. It’s nice to have something that provides good sandwiches at a reasonable price,” she said.

To understand how Wawa stacks up against local competitors, we compared its offerings with those from popular Tri-State convenience stores like Speedway and UDF.

Speedway, for example, offers a combo meal of two slices of pizza and a “Big Gulp” drink for $4. Its rewards program, Speedy Rewards, allows members to gain discounts on gas and collect points redeemable for items such as Slurpees and other beverages. Rewards members earn 10 points per gallon of fuel and 20 points per dollar spent on merchandise.

UDF operates a loyalty program, UDrive Plus, where members can receive coupons for gas and other products. They can earn a discount of 3 cents off gas for each cup of coffee purchased, alongside a 99-cent refill price for hot or iced coffee.

Neither Speedway nor UDF provided comments regarding Wawa’s entry into the competitive Tri-State market.

Wawa is not the only chain making strides in the Cincinnati area this year. Sheetz recently opened its first location off I-75 in Franklin, providing an upscale experience with made-to-order food options. Additionally, Publix launched its first Tri-State grocery store in Walton, with more locations anticipated to open in the coming years. Public shopper Precious Kaya exclaimed on Publix’s Opening Day, “Oh my gosh, it’s better than making your own sub inside your house.”

Local residents eagerly await the arrival of Buc-ee’s, often referred to as the “Disney World of convenience stores,” currently under construction in Huber Heights, close to Dayton. Buc-ee’s is known for its lively sandwich-making atmosphere, with employees inviting customers with calls like “fresh brisket on the board!” every 15 minutes.

Xavier University marketing professor Bryan Buechner noted that Cincinnati shoppers are excited about gaining access to familiar stores they encounter while traveling. He emphasized the appeal of premium grocery experiences, such as those offered by Publix and Buc-ee’s. “It has this kind of premium, almost elevated feel,” he explained. “You can enjoy that premium experience you remember from your vacation right here in the Tri-State.”

As Wawa celebrates its first Ohio opening, plans are already in motion for additional locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. By the end of 2025, Wawa anticipates having nine stores in Ohio and aims to expand its footprint by opening as many as 55 more stores within the next decade.