Wawa Day 2016 to Feature Free Coffee & Digital Tributes
WAWA, Pa. — In honor of Wawa Inc.'s 52nd anniversary in retail, the convenience store chain will celebrate this year's Wawa Day on April 14, during the week of its 1964 founding. Throughout the day, it will offer customers free coffee of any size at all Wawa stores.
Wawa expects to give away more than 1.7 million free cups of any-size coffee at its 720-plus stores across its six-state operating area, the company said.
"During the anniversary week of our entrance into retail, Wawa Day provides us with a chance to connect with and honor the millions of customers who have been so integral to Wawa's growth over the past 52 years," said Wawa President and CEO Chris Gheysens.
Two years ago, Wawa celebrated its 50th anniversary in convenience retailing on Wawa Day and marked the milestone by launching The Wawa Foundation, a 501c (3) nonprofit organization founded to encompass Wawa's charitable giving. Wawa and The Wawa Foundation are committed to donating $50 million to causes supporting health, hunger and everyday heroes by 2018, according to the company. In 2015, contributions of more than $12 million were made, and $22 million in contributions have been made since the foundation's inception.
"At Wawa, we exist to go beyond filling customer orders to fulfilling the lives that we touch every day. Our core purpose is exemplified through the commitment of The Wawa Foundation to give back to the communities we serve, as well as through the dedication of our thousands of associates who make the Wawa experience so special. It's always meaningful to celebrate our customers, associates and communities with one of our most beloved Wawa products," Gheysens added.
In addition to its coffee giveaway, Wawa will celebrate the "millions of magical moments" that take place at Wawa each day with in-store digital tributes featuring photo montages that celebrate the relationship between Wawa associates and customers.
According to Gheysen, "1.7 million is a pretty big number, but the number we are most proud of is the millions of lives impacted through the charitable efforts of The Wawa Foundation."
Wawa operates more than 700 convenience stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.