Wawa, QuickChek continue NJ store opening sprees

Wawa and QuickChek are continuing a spree of new store openings across New Jersey, with the rival convenience chains unveiling their latest locations just days apart.

Wawa’s scheduled May 11 grand opening celebration of its storefront in Ramsey comes less than three weeks after it marked the opening of its 1,000th store.

For QuickChek, the Totowa location that opened May 9 is its third store in New Jersey to launch in the last six weeks—and will soon be followed by a location in East Hanover.

Wawa

Located at 966 Route 17 N. in Ramsey, Pennsylvania-based food and gas chain Wawa will begin welcoming customers May 11, offering free any-size hot coffee all day. The first 100 patrons will also receive a limited-edition “Wawa Coffee, Hoagies & Kindness” T-shirt, while supplies last, the chain said.

The new store’s built-to-order fresh food kitchen features Wawa’s signature hoagies and latest food innovations as well as coffee, baked goods and specialty beverages – all of which are available via mobile ordering, for curbside pickup and delivery.

Additionally, the 24-hour location offers packaged goods and fuel services.

According to Wawa, Erica Santana will serve as manager of the new store. She will lead a team of 50 associates, all of which are new local positions that will receive competitive salaries, health benefits when eligible and participate in the company’s employee stock ownership plan.

Opening day festivities will include an 8 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony with Ramsey Mayor Deidre Dillon and Wawa’s mascot, Wally Goose.

A hoagie-building competition is scheduled between the Ramsey Police Department and Ramsey Fire Department to see who can build the most sandwiches in three minutes. Wawa will present both teams with $1,000 checks to each departments’ charity of choice.

The Wawa Foundation will also present a $24,000 grant to America’s Grow-a-Row, a not-for-profit organization in Pittstown that plants, grows, harvests, and distributes fresh fruits and vegetables to those facing food insecurity.

Last month, the chain celebrated the opening of its 1,000th convenience store in Oaklyn. By 2030, the company plans to open another 1,800 locations as part of a nationwide expansion.

This year, Wawa expects to launch up to 76 new stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and Florida, according to the chain. It also recently announced plans to break into several new markets, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and will share more details on those locations soon.

In New Jersey, where Wawa has more than 260 locations, grand openings are scheduled this summer in East Hanover (28 Route 10), Lakehurst (604 Pine St.), Ocean Township (Route 35 & Deal Road), Hamilton (55 Flock Road), Linden (Route 1 & South Park Avenue), Clementon (Blackwood Clementon Road & Cherrywood Drive), Mount Laurel (1115 Route 73) and Neptune (3520 Route 66).

Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s president and chief executive officer, said in a statement, “At Wawa, our core purpose is fulfilling lives every day, and since our first store opened, we’ve believed that we all have a role in making this world a better place. Our associates deliver experiences and often create emotional connections with customers that go beyond what traditionally happens in a retail environment, and we look forward to welcoming old friends and making new ones in this wonderful community!”

QuickChek

QuickChek opened its newest 24-hour outpost at 809 Riverview Drive at Route 46 West in Totowa May 9.

According to the Whitehouse Station-based gas and food chain, more than half of the 5,670-square-foot store is dedicated to freshly prepared items and features touchscreens to personalize made-to-order food and beverages, mobile ordering through the QuickChek Rewards app and contactless self-checkout counters.

Additionally, the layout includes an open floor plan with spacious standalone food displays and consumer-friendly wide aisles. It also has no-fee ATMs, indoor seating for 10 people, outdoor seating for eight people, 45 parking spaces and 16 fueling positions.

To celebrate its opening, QuickChek Rewards members will receive up to four weeks of special offers at the new Totowa store. The promotion starts off with a free any-size coffee or fountain drink (Week 1), followed by a $1 breakfast sandwich (Week 2), 50% off any six-inch sub (Week 3) and 50% off any fresh snack item (Week 4).

As part of its grand opening, QuickChek plans to donate 25 cents for every sub sandwich sold in the new location during the first 30 days to the local Boys & Girls Club of America chapter. 

Within Totowa, QuickChek also has a store at 79 Union Blvd.

QuickChek Divisional Vice President Don Leech said, “We are thrilled to continue to expand the QuickChek brand and add to our presence.”

“We make a difference in people’s everyday lives by providing one-stop shopping for your everyday needs. We look forward to serving this busy stretch of Route 46 with the best-in-class foodservice, quality brand offerings and total customer dedication for which we are known,” he said.

Totowa marks the chain’s third new location in New Jersey to launch in the last six weeks, joining stores in Ridgefield and Union Township. The next opening is scheduled in East Hanover at 235 Route 10, according to QuickChek.

According to the brand, each store typically creates 35 to 45 new local jobs, including eight management positions, and generates approximately $1 million in tax revenue.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Murphy USA, QuickChek operates 164 stores including 101 locations with fuel throughout New Jersey and New York.

Sold!

The QuickChek store in the Avenel section of Woodbridge recently sold for $11 million, Marcus & Millichap announced. Click here to read the story.