Gaga for Wawa? Ohio debut sparks competition with local favorite UDF

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Wawa is set to make its Ohio debut with the opening of its first store in Butler County, marking the beginning of the convenience store chain's expansion into the Midwest.

The new location, situated on Cincinnati Dayton Road, is expected to open in the coming days, directly across from a UDF.

"This is the first of what will be 11 stores between now and mid-2025, bringing Wawa to the great state of Ohio and the folks that’ll get to know, love, and be part of our Wawa family," said John Poplawski, Wawa's Chief Real Estate Officer.

Wawa, which originated in Pennsylvania in 1964, now boasts over 1,100 locations across Florida and the East Coast. Poplawski emphasized the unique offerings of Wawa and what it will bring to the area.

"But we also happen to sell some pretty amazing crafted beverages, built-to-order hoagies, and the best convenience stores, and by the way, we have fuel too," said Poplawski.

The expansion into Ohio presents a new dynamic for local consumers, particularly in areas where Wawa will be in direct competition with UDF. Dr. Jennifer Holt, a marketing professor at Northern Kentucky University, noted the potential for both stores to coexist due to their diverse customer bases.

"But what they have going for them is they cater to a lot of different types of people more than what a gas station would do," Holt said. "So, they have made-to-order sandwiches. They have, you know, the full coffee bar. They have it; it's almost like a mini little store. So, it's more than a convenience store, I would say, and you can do this while you're charging your car or getting your gas."

Holt also highlighted the competitive landscape between the businesses.

"So, if you're, you know, loyal to UDF, and you go in and you get your ice cream there, it's not that you're going to drop all of that and necessarily go to Wawa, but there's a lot to be said for how they can compete in this area as well, and this drives innovation. You know, better stores," said Holt.

UDF, which declined to comment for this story, has recently introduced a new food item, "hot to go pizza," as part of its strategy to attract customers.

In Anderson Township, a new Wawa gas station has been approved by the zoning commission to be built across from an existing UDF location, further intensifying the competition. The UDF will be 6,323 square feet with 43 parking spaces, while the Wawa will be slightly larger at 6,372 square feet with 41 parking spaces.

As Wawa prepares to open its doors in Ohio, consumers in the Tri-State area will soon have more choices for fuel and food.