On its road to being the nation’s 25th largest private company, Wawa has positioned itself separately from other convenience store chains, and it’s why you love Wawa, writes Katie Le for EnvZone.

The Wawa concept began with George Wood, a dairy farmer, who set up three stores in the 1960s to sell Wawa milk and other perishables, a way for his dairy to reach customers as home deliveries declined.

“When we opened the first store back in 1964, basically Wawa was the alternative to the supermarket,” said Wawa former CEO Howard Stoeckel.

The Delaware County stores developed a reputation for offering high-quality dairy products, emphasizing convenience and freshness.

One way Wawa stands out is its focus on its employees, with an employee stock ownership plan and a team-oriented approach where everyone relies on each other.

By 1977, Wawa was also expanding its product offerings and by 1993, was reaping the financial benefits of selling gas.

Product excellence became the cornerstone of Wawa’s customer-centric philosophy, along with exceptional service, creating delightful experiences for every customer, speed and efficiency, and understanding the unique needs of its diverse customer base.

The Wawa chain has expanded dramatically into multiple states and even worked its way into the city of Philadelphia.

Learn more about why you love Wawa at EnvZone.