Chain reaction

Taking a stroll around a Wawa convenience store with Carol Jensen gives you a sense for how different the chain is from its competitors. Wawa competes with more than just 7-Eleven or RaceTrac, says Jensen, Wawa's chief brand and marketing officer. “We compete on share of stomach and share of wallets,” she says. Starbucks, Subway and even grocery stores should watch out for Wawa.

Here's why:

 

 
Roomy parking
Wawa stores are generous with parking. For example, there are 85 parking spaces for the new Fort Myers store on Colonial Boulevard. Also, each parking space is wider so that customers won't have to squeeze into a tiny spot, even with a larger vehicle.
Customers can get what they need at a Wawa store in four minutes, says CEO Chris Gheysens. “It's about getting in and out quickly,” Gheysens says while on a visit to open stores in Fort Myers. He knows: the company measured the steps it takes for a customer to get from the gas pump and into the store.