Who Owns Wawa?

Is Wawa publicly traded?
No. Wawa, Inc. is a privately held company. It does not trade on any stock exchange and has no public shareholders. The Wood family owns approximately 59% of the company, and employees hold approximately 41% through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Wawa has been private since its founding and has no plans to go public.

Who owns Wawa?
Wawa is owned by the Wood family (approximately 59%) and employees (approximately 41% through an ESOP). The ESOP was formalized in 1992, though profit-sharing began in 1977. Because Wawa is private, an independent assessment of stock value is conducted at regular intervals. All stores are company-owned, with no franchised locations.

When was Wawa founded?
Wawa's first convenience store opened on April 16, 1964, in Folsom, Pennsylvania, founded by Grahame Wood. The company's roots trace to 1902, when George Wood founded Wawa Dairy in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The convenience store was created as consumers shifted from home milk delivery to store purchases. The name "Wawa" comes from a word for goose in an Ojibwe or Lenape language.

How many Wawa stores are there?
Wawa operates approximately 1,200 stores across 13 states and Washington, D.C., as of 2026. The chain has grown approximately 65% in store count over the past decade. Wawa has recently expanded into new markets including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. Each new store requires an investment of more than $7.5 million and employs an average of 35 people.

What was the Wawa data breach?
In December 2019, Wawa discovered a data breach that had affected approximately 22 million customers' payment card information. Malware had been stealing payment data throughout 2019. The breach led to class action litigation, with a settlement making $9 million in gift cards and compensation available to consumers. The Third Circuit affirmed a $3.2 million attorney fee award in June 2025. Wawa was also required to improve its data security systems.

Does Wawa franchise its stores?
No. All Wawa stores are company-owned and operated. The company does not offer franchise opportunities. This structure allows Wawa to maintain direct control over product quality, service standards, and store operations. Every store is built, staffed, and managed by Wawa directly.

What is Wawa's revenue?
Wawa does not publicly disclose detailed financial results. The company's revenue was estimated at approximately $13 billion in recent years. Wawa employs approximately 50,000 associates and operates approximately 1,200 stores. The company has doubled its workforce over the past decade.