Dive Brief:
- Wawa is expanding its partnership with distributor McLane Company to support the retailer’s expansion into Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, the companies announced on Tuesday.
- The new stores will be serviced out of McLane’s Bluegrass distribution center in Hebron, Kentucky, about 15 miles west of Cincinnati.
- The agreement will bolster Wawa’s expansion, which expects to bring up to 30 stores into those three states this year with more to follow.
Dive Insight:
Wawa has been working with McLane for more than 20 years and uses its services at more than 1,100 stores, which is the vast majority of the retailer’s footprint. The partnership aims to help the retailer provide a consistent experience as it expands its reach.
Wawa opened its first store in Ohio earlier this month, with its Indiana debut coming in May. The company has broken ground in Kentucky, but has not revealed an opening date yet.
“With this expanded partnership, we remain committed to supporting Wawa’s growth as a leader in convenience retail and foodservice through our robust network and product offerings,” said Vito Maurici, McLane’s chief customer experience officer.
In addition to the Kentucky distribution center, Wawa stores also rely on McLane facilities in New Jersey, Florida and Virginia, where a Fredericksburg site began supporting Wawa’s growth in that region late in 2024. In addition to the dozens of stores planned in the Midwest, Wawa has also announced extensive growth plans for North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia and Alabama.
