Hope Mills, NC — Thursday, August 28, 2025 marked a milestone not just for Cumberland County, but for the world of convenience travel, as Wawa officially opened its very first Travel Center at 630 Chicken Foot Road in Hope Mills. The grand opening brought together customers, local officials, first responders, and community partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, and celebrations.
Free hot coffee greeted customers as the doors opened at 8:00 a.m., along with t-shirts for the first 250 guests. A ceremonial countdown was led by Wawa General Manager Kyle Watt, kicking off a mornin
Truckers were treated like VIPs with free trucker hats and t-shirts, while also being among the first to experience Wawa’s new professional driver-focused amenities.
This debut marks the super-anticipated new large-scale Wawa Travel Center format, with over 8,000 square feet of space designed for families, travelers, and professional drivers. Features include Wawa’s signature fresh food and beverage offerings, 24 EV charging stalls, a high-speed diesel fuel court with 6 lanes, 20 fuel pumps for passenger vehicles, a pet relief area, a CAT weigh station, and spacious restrooms with indoor and outdoor seating.
This location is Wawa’s 15th in North Carolina and the first of its kind in the state. Over the next decade, Wawa plans to build up to 90 more stores across North Carolina, investing more than $7.5 million per store and creating over 3,000 long-term jobs statewide.
“We’re thrilled to bring this new travel center to Hope Mills, serving local residents and professional drivers while celebrating a new chapter of Wawa’s expansion in North Carolina,” said Brian Schaller, President of Wawa.
A portion of sales from the first week will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina. The Wawa team was even spotted prior to the grand opening volunteering at the Second Harvest facility, highlighting their commitment to the community in action, not just words.
The celebration featured giveaways, Wawa’s beloved mascot Wally Goose, ceremonial fuel-ups with trucking partners, and plenty of ribbon, confetti, and community pride. And if you couldn’t make it to the grand opening, you can still grab a free coffee at Wawa through August 31. For those planning a visit, some fan favorites are Wawa’s smoothies — including the Pink Pineapple Smoothie and the Mango Watermelon Smoothie, both perfect alongside your hoagie or hot coffee.
Kres Thomas, FayToday News
