There is a special kind of nostalgia tied to family road trips. Waking up at the crack of dawn, packing the car with blankets and pillows, and somehow squeezing everyone’s luggage into the trunk. There are the inevitable arguments with siblings over who controls the music, the funny anecdotal retellings to pass the time, and making the first stop at the family’s favorite gas station to grab snacks, and, of course, coffee for the road.

As a native Texan, Buc-ee’s stands out as one of the most iconic convenience stores and gas station chains in the U.S. Despite operating fewer than 70 locations across 11 states, most of them in Texas, the chain has become an unmissable pit stop for road-tripping families, long-haul truckers, and commuters since opening its first location in Clute, Texas, in 1982.

However, for East Coast travelers, there is one chain that reigns supreme.

Few could have predicted that a small dairy business in Pennsylvania in 1920 would grow into one of the country’s most recognizable convenience store chains. Officially founded as Wawa in 1964, the brand quickly became a popular among travelers and busy consumers, thanks to its clean bathrooms, fresh coffee, and fan favorite made-to-order hoagies.

But despite building a loyal cult-like following for over six decades, Wawa has not been immune to economic uncertainty. Shifting consumer habits, rising operational costs, and increased competition have created challenges that even the most beloved brands are struggling to overcome.  

Wawa confirms closure of its Drexel University location

Wawa has revealed that it will close its Drexel University location at 3300 Market Street, in Philadelphia, on January 21, 2026, just two years after remodeling the entire store, adding to a growing list of recent closures nationwide.

Senior Media Relations Manager Lori Bruce said the decision was strictly business-related and followed several attempts to address ongoing issues at the location.

“Over the years, we have made several attempts to address business and operational challenges at this location,” Bruce told The Triangle. “This includes partnering with property owner, Drexel University, in an attempt to address some of these issues, and most recently making investments in our store design to test a fully digital format.”

“Unfortunately, this test did not adequately improve performance or deliver an enhanced customer experience, which ultimately led to the decision to close the store,” Bruce added.

While the closure marks the end of Wawa’s presence on Drexel’s campus, it does not mean a full exit from the surrounding community. The company encourages customers to visit nearby locations, including stores at 3604 Chestnut Street and 3724-3744 Spruce Street.

Wawa did not disclose how many employees will be affected, but confirmed that workers will be offered continued employment at other locations.

Wawa expansion plans

The Drexel University store opened in 2018, and in 2023, Wawa converted the location into a kiosk-only format, replacing traditional shelves with digital ordering stations. The change followed the closure of two Philadelphia stores amid rising theft concerns.

This conversion was part of a broader expansion strategy to reach 1,800 stores by 2030, according to The Business Journal.

More Store Closures:

  • 30-year-old pasta chain announces 35 restaurant closures in 2026
  • 53-year-old restaurant chain is quietly closing locations nationwide
  • 74-year-old grocery chain closes store and sells to rival

Over the past several years, Wawa has expanded into new states and experimented with alternative store formats. The company opened its first drive-thru location in New Jersey in 2020, its first freestanding drive-thru in Pennsylvania in 2021, and its first travel center in North Carolina in 2025.

These efforts helped Wawa grow to approximately 1,175 locations across 14 states by 2025, according to data by ScrapeHero. However, some of the experimental formats failed to resonate with customers. Wawa has since closed all its drive-thru-only locations and converted a few others.

“Wawa is constantly testing new concepts to meet the needs of our customers,” a Wawa spokesperson told LevittownNow.com.

Wawa confirms another store closure amid strategic shift.

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Recent Wawa closures hit Philadelphia hardest

The recent closures seem to be hitting Pennsylvania hardest, particularly Philadelphia, which has lost around 10 Wawa locations since 2020. Despite the shutdowns, Pennsylvania remains Wawa’s third-largest market, with more than 267 stores, representing roughly 23% of its total footprint as of 2025, according to ScrapeHero.

Philadelphia closures

  • 2026: 3300 Market Street (Source: CBS News)
  • 2025: 6506 Frankford Ave; 6919 Castor Ave (Source: The Street)
  • 2024: 2000 Hamilton Street; 3230 Ranstead Street (Sources: The Business Journal & NBC Philadelphia)
  • 2022: 21st & Hamilton; 12th & Market; 19th & Market (Sources: The Inquirer & The Business Journal)
  • 2020: Broad & Walnut (Source: WHYY)

Businesses returning to their roots to boost growth

Wawa is not alone in reassessing its strategy. Several major brands are attempting to revive growth by returning to the core experiences that originally built customer loyalty.

Starbucks (SBUX) is a prime example. The coffee giant launched its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy in response to declining sales, shifting away from transaction-focused formats and toward a more personalized coffeehouse experience.

In August 2025, Starbucks unveiled plans to close all pickup-only concepts and convert some into full cafés, impacting around 90 stores nationwide. That same year, the company shuttered about 400 North American locations, closed at least 10 UK stores, and sold a majority stake in its China business.

Broader industry struggles

Wawa’s challenges reflect broader trends across the retail and food industries, where rising costs and changing consumer preferences have triggered thousands of store closures, even among long-established brands.

Convenience stores, in particular, have been losing customers to fast-food and quick-service restaurants. In response, many chains are investing in full kitchens and expanded grocery offerings, according to the latest NACS Convenience Voices survey.

Announced store closures in 2025 were up 67% compared to the previous year, according to CoreSight Research. As of July, nearly 6,000 shutdowns had been reported nationwide, far surpassing the 3,496 closures recorded during the same period in 2024.

“The implications of these closures go far beyond the retail floor,” said Approved Funding President and Chief Lending Officer Shmuel Shayowitz. “Thousands of workers are losing their jobs, many of them in communities where retail employment has historically been one of the biggest anchors.”

“For consumers, the fallout means fewer choices, diminished access to in-person shopping, and, in some cases, higher prices due to reduced competition,” he added.

Convenience store closures

  • 7-Eleven (SVNDY): Closed around 500 stores since 2024 (Source: The Street)
  • Circle K: Alimentation Couche-Tard (ANCTF) revealed plans to sell 36 Circle K locations in late 2025 (Source: C-Store Dive)
  • Casey’s: Closed 24 stores in 2025 (Source: C-Store Dive)

Related: JCPenney reveals an unexpected update about the future of 119 stores