VILLANOVA, PA – Wawa, the beloved convenience store chain with deep roots in the Philadelphia area, has officially arrived on the campus of Villanova University. The new store, which opened its doors on August 27, 2025, is a key feature of the newly renovated Connelly Center, the university's central hub for students.
VILLANOVA, PA – Wawa, the beloved convenience store chain with deep roots in the Philadelphia area, has officially arrived on the campus of Villanova University. The new store, which opened its doors on August 27, 2025, is a key feature of the newly renovated Connelly Center, the university's central hub for students.The campus location brings all the classic Wawa favorites—from made-to-order hoagies and freshly brewed coffee to a wide array of snacks and beverages—directly to students, faculty, and staff. In a move that fully integrates the store into campus life, the new Wawa accepts not only cash and credit but also the university's student debit accounts, Nova Bucks, and Points.
This opening marks another step in Wawa's strategy of reaching customers in new and innovative formats. “We've officially opened at Villanova University, bringing our [next-generation] design into the Connelly Center renovation just in time to welcome students back,” said Adrian Cortes, Wawa's manager of architectural design, in a LinkedIn post. He added that the new store will be a great opportunity to "introduce the Wawa brand and offer to many students who may be experiencing this East Coast favorite for the first time!”
The Villanova store is not Wawa's first on a college campus. In 2023, the retailer opened a fully digital, kiosk-only location at Drexel University in Philadelphia. However, the Villanova store is a more traditional format, located on the lower level of the 67,000-square-foot Connelly Center. This building also houses an art gallery, lounges, and other dining facilities.
The connection between Wawa and Villanova runs deep. Wawa's President and CEO, Chris Gheysens, is a 1993 graduate of the Villanova School of Business, adding a personal touch to this new partnership. The opening comes as Wawa continues its ambitious expansion, having recently launched its first-ever travel center in North Carolina and furthering its push into new markets in the southern and midwestern United States.
