FL’s First Drive-Thru Wawa To Open In Largo: Report

LARGO, FL — Florida’s first drive-through Wawa is set to open in Largo, according to Tampa Bay Newspapers.

The 2,036-square-foot drive-thru at 2530 E. Bay Drive — the site of a former drive-thru restaurant — is expected to open by the end of the year.

“Wawa is committed to testing and innovating new store formats to provide the greatest level of convenience for our customers,” Lori Bruce, Wawa’s senior manager of media relations, told TBN. “With this new Largo store, we plan to continue to test and learn from our drive-thru prototype while gathering feedback from our customers and associates.”

By the end of 2023, the convenience store chain said it plans to have 250 stores operating in Florida, according to the Miami Herald.

The gas station and convenience store favorite has 29 stores scheduled to open in spring, summer and fall of 2023, continuing to grow the brand's presence around the Sunshine State.

Wawa launched its new drive-thru concept — inspired, in part, by the COVID-19 pandemic — at the end of 2020 with its first-ever location of this type opening in Westhampton, New Jersey, according to NJ.com.

So far, there are only two locations, the second in Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

The brand’s drive-thru locations offer a smaller, more limited menu with a focus on combo meals, much like a fast-food restaurant. The stand-alone Wawa also won’t sell gas.

"Wawa continues to test new store concepts with this latest drive thru format, providing an opportunity for our customers to experience and enjoy their favorite Wawa products while remaining inside their car," Terri Micklin, the company’s director of construction, said according to Convenience Store News. "Wawa is committed to increasing convenience and (providing) new options for service while keeping safety and comfort top of mind. Wawa hopes to learn from the layout, workflow and traffic flow at this location, as it continues to explore alternatives for longer term application to stores post-COVID-19."

Find the Florida Wawa location nearest to you and store hours here.