New Jersey’s favorite pit stop is turning 62, and it’s bringing a massive caffeine boost to the Garden State. On Thursday, April 16, Wawa will celebrate its annual “Wawa Day,” offering free, any-size hot coffee to Wawa Rewards members at all of its nearly 300 locations across New Jersey.
The milestone marks the 1964 opening of the company’s first retail store and serves as a massive “thank you” to the “flock” of loyal customers that have made New Jersey one of Wawa’s most critical hubs. With roughly 299 stores currently operating in the state—including high-traffic regions like Toms River, which boasts 10 locations—the event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans looking for their morning fix.
How to grab your free cup
To participate in the celebration, Garden State residents must be members of the Wawa Rewards program.
- The Reward: One free, any-size hot coffee per member.
- The Options: Includes all standard roasts and the new, limited-time Banana Bread Coffee.
- How to Redeem: Members will find a bonus reward in the Wawa App on April 16, which can be scanned at the register or applied to a mobile order.
While the coffee is the headline for many, the day also marks a historic philanthropic milestone. Since launching The Wawa Foundation in 2014, the company has officially reached $200 million in total giving.
In honor of this achievement, Wawa is distributing $250,000 in gift cards to its national charity partners, many of which have deep roots in New Jersey communities, including:
- Special Olympics: A long-time partner for NJ-based “Polar Plunges.”
- The American Red Cross: Active in regional disaster relief.
- Feeding America: Supporting local food banks across the state.
- Children’s Miracle Network: Benefiting local pediatric hospitals.
“Wawa Day presents a special opportunity to express our gratitude to the people and partners across our flock,” Brian Schaller, Wawa President said. “As we gear up to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to highlight our own 200-plus years in American business—from our founding family’s roots to our role today serving friends and neighbors.”
Though the company was founded in Pennsylvania, Wawa’s history is inextricably linked to New Jersey. The Wood family’s business roots actually date back to an 1803 iron foundry in New Jersey before transitioning to dairy and, eventually, the convenience stores that dominate the Jersey landscape today.
Today, New Jersey accounts for approximately 25% of all Wawa locations nationwide, serving as a proving ground for the company’s innovations, such as its first-ever drive-thru which debuted in Westampton in 2020.
