Site & Trade Area

home > real estate > site submission > site & trade area

Use & Operation

Wawa, Inc. will consider acquisition of properties for development of new Wawa Stores, featuring a 24-hour, high-quality offering of fresh foods, custom-made sandwiches, competitively-priced gasoline, dairy products, baked goods, produce, delicatessen and groceries.

Site & Trade Area Requirements


General Location Characteristics:

  1. Wawa seeks dynamic areas, featuring dense residential development, high-growth population characteristics, significant daytime population (employment) centers, with nearby retail and commercial traffic generators.
  2. Ideally located on a high volume, major street, having adequate frontage to permit good visibility and convenient access
  3. Types of Locations:
    1. Traditional- Wawa prefers freestanding locations as follows (in order of preference)
      1. Far-corner locations preferred, but near-corner locations may be considered;
      2. Mid-block locations may be considered;
      3. Out-parcels and pads of shopping centers or portions of mixed developments.
    2. Walk-in – Wawa may consider “walk-in” (without parking) locations in cities or college towns, with high pedestrian traffic, where no large tract is available for freestanding sites, on a case-by-case basis.
  4. Minimum Traffic Count:
    1. At least 25,000 vehicles per day, in front of site.
    2. If site is on a corner, the traffic count should reflect the total of both frontage roads.
  5. Ideal Site Characteristics:
    1. At grade with front and intersecting roads;
    2. Good visibility for at least 10 seconds, at the posted speed limit, in each direction of travel approach;
    3. Ability to have standard, free-standing, pylon sign;
    4. Ability for cars and trucks to enter and exit easily and make all turning maneuvers, including left-in and left-out turning maneuvers;
    5. Sanitary sewer, potable water and storm water available at the property line of the site.
  6. Zoning:
    1. Zoning which permits operation-by-right of a Wawa Store, with gasoline.
    2. Locations with minimal setback and bulk requirements are preferred.
    3. Wawa may consider properties, which require relief (such as special exception, variance or re-zoning), on a case-bycase basis, depending on the local jurisdiction.
  7. Availability:
    1. Site should be available for fee simple purchase. Wawa will consider leasing under certain circumstances.
    2. Site acquisition will be contingent upon receipt of all approvals to construct and operate the proposed Wawa Store facility, including but not limited to applicable approvals from the appropriate jurisdiction for: subdivision, zoning, use, site plan, environmental, planning and building.