Wawa has announced it plans to hire 150 workers as it prepares to open its first stores in Miami-Dade this spring.
The popular Pennsylvania-based chain of convenience stores has a loyal following of fans who flock to the well-lit shops for their fast-casual menu of freshly prepared foods, made-to-order hoagies, specialty beverages, and breakfast items, along with fuel services and surcharge-free ATMs.
Wawa aims to break into the Miami market with three area stores, located at 6971 SW 24th St., 11101 SW 184th St., and SW 137th Avenue at SW 120th Street. Grand opening dates have not yet been set.
The company is hosting two job fairs tomorrow, March 5, for customer service associates, supervisors, and other positions. Sessions will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Coral Gables (2051 S. Le Jeune Rd., Coral Gables) and at the Candlewood Suites Miami Executive Airport (13600 SW 139th Ct., Miami). The company has already begun hiring for management positions and will continue in anticipation of future store openings during the year. Job-seekers are encouraged to apply online at wawa.com/careers before attending the hiring events.
Wawa employees get a host of benefits including employee stock ownership plans; medical, dental, and vision plans; a 401(k) plan; and more. This year, Wawa was listed as one of the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes. Wawa was also designated as a 2018 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
The Wawa Bus tour, which launched at the Miami-Dade groundbreaking event in October last year, will stop at both hiring events, giving out swag and offering a photo-opp station. The Wawa Bus is open to everyone — even those not applying for a job.
The Wawa Bus tour around South Florida is the first in the company's history. It has fostered partnerships with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Feeding South Florida, and Communities in Schools Miami, through which it launched the Wawa Book Club at three local elementary schools with a donation of 1,500 books.
The company has been around since 1964 but didn't expand into Florida until July 2012. Since then, it has launched more than 160 locations in the state and intends to open another 25 to 30 Florida stores annually for the next few years. Broward County already has 15 locations.