What is Wawa? Technically speaking, Wawa is a privately-owned chain of gas station convenience stores. However, ask the average Pennsylvanian, and you\u2019ll hear something along the lines of \u201cbest place in the world.\u201d Wawa has become an iconic stop-and-shop destination for Pennsylvanians that is often cited for its excellent service, high-quality products, and fair prices. Wawa is the perfect example of a company that has been able to drive successful alignment and adaptability of its operations and business models to capture value in an underserved industry.<\/p>\n
History<\/strong><\/p>\n Wawa Inc. was founded in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. After almost a century of operations, the company entered a completely new industry by opening its first milk processing plant, Wawa Dairy, in 1902. Wawa Dairy soon garnered a reputation as a high-quality dairy producer, delivering products directly to homes throughout the Philadelphia area. In the 1960s, the dairy industry experienced declines in home deliveries. The company reacted by opening its first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as a dairy outlet. This store served as the basis of the existing Wawa stores today.<\/p>\n Business Model<\/strong><\/p>\n Wawa convenience stores today offer made-to-order food and drinks, freshly brewed coffee, fuel services, surcharge-free ATMs, and 24-hr service 365 days a year. They own 645 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Central Florida. What differentiates Wawa from the traditional convenience store is its high-quality convenience store experience. The company has received multiple \u201cBest of Philly\u201d awards for its coffee and deli. It has also received top honors in Master Dairy\u2019s Quality Product Awards. The company has created value by emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction in an industry where these elements were traditionally ignored, the convenience store industry. Traditional convenience stores relied on a customer\u2019s need for gasoline or grab-and-go food as a pull system to bring customers to its stores, leveraging the fact that there was little differentiation in the gas station store experience. Customers chose stores mainly due to the most convenient location and\/or lowest gas prices. Wawa flipped this power dynamic by focusing on the convenience store experience. Today, people choose to drive further just to go to a Wawa for their gas or food on-the-go needs.<\/p>\n Operating Model<\/strong><\/p>\n Wawa has been able to achieve their business model success through the following operating model factors: emphasis on quality, continuous improvement, and the use of technology.<\/p>\n Emphasis on Quality<\/em><\/p>\n Wawa\u2019s main competitive advantage is the quality of its products and services. In addition to traditional convenience store brands and product offerings, Wawa has created its own line of branded food and beverage products. Every Wawa store has a separate deli station where customers can get made-to-order sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Ingredients are fresh and food is prepared at the deli station so that the customer may watch the prep operations and progress of their order.\u00a0 Employees strive for customer satisfaction, and complementary items are given at the discretion of store employees in the event of an incorrect order or long wait time. The store is cleaned and restocked often throughout the day to ensure an orderly appearance and low customer wait times for products. Three of the six store\u2019s corporate values (Value People, Delight Customers, and Do Things Right) emphasize this focus on the customer experience and taking pride in the products and services that they offer. Stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it a reliable go-to destination for consumers.<\/p>\n Continuous Improvement<\/em><\/p>\n Wawa\u2019s adaptability and ability to evolve the business and operating models have been key to its ability to remain competitive. The store\u2019s corporate values of Embrace Change and Passion for Winning reflect the company\u2019s commitment to continuous improvement. Since the company\u2019s beginnings, the organization has had an ability to view industry trends and react appropriately. The Wawa Food Market has evolved immensely over the years, starting with the introduction of pre-made hoagies and coffee in 1975. The company separated its deli station from its checkout counters in 1982 as a way to reduce customer service times. Camp Wawa and Wawa University were employee educational programs that were initiated to improve employee trainings. ATMs and fuel stations were incorporated in stores to further serve the target \u201cpeople on the go\u201d customer base. Product offerings have continued to evolve into breakfast options, bakery goods, and now specialty drinks (smoothies, cappuccinos, etc.)<\/p>\n Technology<\/em><\/p>\n Wawa has most notably brought technology into a seemingly tech-less industry. It is one of the first convenience stores to offer touch screen ordering of their made-to-go products, which allows for a just-in-time deli work stream. The company has also invested in network infrastructure for collecting data and tracking key performance indicators throughout the organization. The company utilizes this data to manage its day-to-day operations and identify opportunities to cut costs or further improve upon its processes.<\/p>\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wawa.com\/Faqs.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.phillymag.com\/articles\/wawa-world\/<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.vykon.com\/library\/Wawa_Convenience_Stores.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n