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MyLine:Rants and Raves
Wawa soars high above the competition
Date published: 5/6/2008
A CUSTOMER WALKS through the glass doors, glancing at his options. The smell of brewed coffee fills his nostrils as he surveys other customers picking and choosing their items.
Refrigerators full of sodas, water and juices line the walls, while snacks fill the in-between. An overflowing stock of chips, cookies, pretzels and everyone's favorite treats are there, ready to satisfy the growl of hunger.
Cashiers check out the customers, sliding their purchases into plastic bags bearing the logo. This gas station and convenience store has left its mark on Fredericksburg with one name: Wawa.
Wawa is the Lenni-Lenape Indian word for the Canada Goose-- hence, the flying goose on Wawa's logo. The name "Wawa" originally came from the store's initial owner, George Wood, in 1902. He lived in Wawa, Pa., and opened a dairy named after the town. The name stuck with the company as it grew for 106 years, and now stands tall in red letters on more than 500 stores in five states.
Years ago, 7-Eleven was the favorite convenience store to many. Now, Wawa seems to have surpassed the 5,400 7-Eleven stores in the United States--in more ways than one.
"If you saw a 7-Eleven and a Wawa on the side of the road, you would choose Wawa, just because of its presentation," said Fredericksburg Academy freshman Ret Taylor. Taylor and other students commented on the cleanliness and variety of Wawa, and its merchandise in comparison to other convenience stores.
Some, however, are still loyal to 7-Eleven.
"I like how they [Wawa] have their 'make your own' sandwiches, but 7-Eleven Slurpees can't be beat," said FA freshman Sofie Wachtmeister.
Oh, the infamous Slurpees. Their frosty claim to fame as the trendy "sweet treat" has kept many students returning to 7-Eleven. However, some are not fazed by the name.
"A slurpee is a slurpee--they taste exactly the same, no matter where you get them," said FA freshman Lindsay Dawson. Yet, Dawson has a preference when it comes to fresh food. She noted that Wawa salads and fresh fruit are more appealing than 7-Eleven, in both their display and taste.
FA Latin teacher Keith Wamsley is another devoted Wawa customer. He purchases his daily breakfast and sometimes "a sandwich, freshly made on the spot," for lunch. However, the customer side is not all he knows of Wawa. Wamsley used to be the area supervisor for a group of seven or more Wawa stores. He is convinced that the success of the chain is all due to customer service--being able to adapt to what customers want--and fresh products. To Wamsley, 7-Eleven needs to step up their game if they want to reach the same level of success as Wawa.
"7-Eleven has had the same formula for the past 25 years. Wawa took the risk of distinguishing the cashier from the food 'production' and customer service, and has profited from that decision," concluded Wamsley with satisfaction.
Austen Dunn is a freshman at Fredericksburg Academy.
Date published: 5/6/2008
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