Kentucky is preparing to welcome a major newcomer to its convenience store market: Wawa. The beloved Pennsylvania-based chain — known for fresh-made hoagies, gas stations and all-day food service — is moving forward with its first round of construction in the Bluegrass State.
Groundbreaking on the very first Kentucky Wawa will occur in June, according to company spokeswoman Lori Bruce, who confirmed plans to begin site work ahead of opening multiple locations. The first stores are scheduled to open in 2025, marking a major milestone in the retailer’s Midwestern and Southern expansion.
The newest stores in Kentucky will feature the company’s refreshed interior design, which combines fast-casual restaurant elements with a traditional convenience layout. The stores will resemble newer Wawa locations in Richmond, Virginia, with grab-and-go foods, made-to-order counters, and updated seating.
As of last summer, Wawa already had around 15 properties under contract across counties including Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Warren. The brand ultimately plans about 40 Kentucky stores over the next eight to ten years, marking one of its most ambitious regional rollouts to date.
Wawa sites typically range from 1.5 to 2 acres, and include a 6,000-square-foot store, an expanded gas canopy, generous parking, and 24-hour food service that has made the company a cult favorite in the Mid-Atlantic. The chain is especially known for custom hoagies, hot breakfast sandwiches, and specialty beverages.
During a 2023 press announcement, Wawa confirmed four initial Louisville Metro locations:
Construction on the Preston Crossing Boulevard store will break ground in early June, with more timeline updates expected afterward.
Additional pending locations — discovered through planning and zoning applications — show the company’s intention to extend farther into south and southwest Jefferson County. Proposed Wawa projects include:
Wawa’s expansion will not stop at state lines. One location is already underway in Clarksville, Indiana, at 1354 Veterans Parkway, further strengthening the company’s regional footprint. In Sellersburg, a future Wawa has been announced at State Road 60 and Appleleaf Lane, with construction also including a new traffic signal to manage increased vehicles.
Wawa’s arrival signals growing consumer demand for fresh-food-focused convenience retail. Kentucky’s market, traditionally dominated by Speedway, Thorntons, BP and independent operators, is experiencing an influx of national brands like QuikTrip and Buc-ee’s. Wawa’s entry adds pressure — and more choice — for travelers and local customers seeking fast meals without sacrificing quality.
The company’s decision to invest heavily in Kentucky over an eight-to-ten-year timeline indicates confidence in the region’s population growth, travel infrastructure, and appetite for on-the-go food services.
With dozens of locations still in planning and early development stages, Kentuckians can expect steady announcements over the next several years. Store openings will begin in 2025, bringing with them expanded dining options, convenience fuel stops, and a new player in the state’s competitive roadway food scene.
Originally reported by Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal in AOL.
