Wawa Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)

Wawa began in 1803 as an iron foundry and later transitioned into a dairy business in the 1900s. It opened its first convenience store in Folsom, Pennsylvania, in 1964.

Headquartered in Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, Wawa is known for its fresh food offerings, including hoagies, coffee, beverages, and fuel services at many locations.

With over 720 stores primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida, Wawa is not currently franchising in the U.S. The brand is distinguished by its commitment to employee ownership and a focus on community and convenience.

Initial Investment

How much does it cost to start a Wawa franchise? Wawa does not offer franchise opportunities, as all of its locations are company-owned.

Therefore, it is not possible to start a Wawa franchise, and there is no associated cost for franchising with the company.

For similar convenience store franchises, however, the initial investment is on average $425,000. This does not include gas station and convenience store combined franchise models for which the price tag is logically much higher (about $6 million on average).

In comparison, for example, Circle K requires an investment upfront of $279,000 up to $5,367,000 for their largest store format.

Average Revenue (AUV)

How much revenue can you make with a Wawa franchise? Since Wawa does not franchise its stores and all locations are company-owned, Wawa does not publish a Franchise Disclosure Document. Therefore, it does not disclose the average revenue of its stores.

However, a similar convenience store franchise makes on average $874,000 in revenue (AUV) per year. For example, a Circle K franchised store makes on average $1,309,000 in revenue per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Wawa locations are there?

As of the latest data, there are 1,050 Wawa company-owned locations in the United States. The state with the most locations is New Jersey, with 288 stores, accounting for approximately 27% of all Wawa locations in the country.

What is the total investment required to open a Wawa franchise?

Wawa does not offer franchise opportunities and therefore, it is not possible to establish the initial investment to start a Wawa franchise.

However, the total investment required to open a franchised store similar to the Wawa franchise ranges from $127,000 to $51,632,000.

What are the ongoing fees for a Wawa franchise?

Since Wawa does not offer franchises and all stores are company-owned, the ongoing fees such as royalty fees or advertising fees associated with franchising the brand are not readily available.

Yet, similar convenience store franchises in the industry charge an average of 3%-6% in royalty fees and 5%-6% in advertising fees (e.g. Street Corner).

What are the financial requirements to become a Wawa franchisee?

All Wawa locations are company-owned, and the brand does not offer opportunities for independent ownership or franchising. Therefore, it is not possible to meet any financial requirements or apply to become a franchisee with Wawa.

For convenience store franchises similar to Wawa, financial requirements can vary significantly. These may include:

• Minimum Net Worth: $250,000 to $1,500,000+, depending on the franchise type.
• Liquid Capital: $50,000 to $500,000, varying by the size and type of franchise.

How much can a Wawa franchise owner expect to earn?

Since Wawa is entirely company-owned and does not operate as a franchise, there is no earning disclosure from the franchisor for a Wawa store.

Who owns Wawa?

Wawa is privately owned, with ownership shared between the founding Wood family and Wawa employees. Approximately 50% of the company is owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), allowing employees to hold a significant share of the business. The rest is owned by the Wood family, who founded the company and remain actively involved in its operations.

Disclaimer

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