Wawa to Open First Florida Store

ORLANDO, Fla. — Wawa’s first store in the state of Florida is set to open here Wednesday, kicking off the convenience chain’s plans for 100 stores in the Orlando and Tampa markets during the next five years.

Wawa, based in Wawa, Pa., operates nearly 600 stores in the Mid-Atlantic states, specializing in grab-and-go and prepared foods as well as fuel. The company said it planned to open one store a week in Orlando over five weeks beginning Wednesday.

Wawa is planning a Tampa debut next year. Wawa said its plans call for 20 new stores in Florida in 2013, and 25 stores each in 2014 and 2015.