Wawa has brought back its annual tradition, Wawa Day, set to take place Thursday, April 13 in honor of the company’s 59^th year in retail.

The occasion will be marked with free hot coffee all day for customers, any size, at all of its convenience stores.

The Delaware County retailer expects to give away more than 2 million free cups of coffee to customers at its nearly 1,000 stores.

Wawa got into the retail business in April 1964, when it opened its first store in Folsom. Later this month, it will open its 1,000th store.

“When Wawa opened its doors on April 16, 1964, in Folsom, our founder Grahame Wood imagined a place that would provide trusted quality products, convenience, and care to local friends and neighbors.

“Now 59 years later, Wawa associates are proud to carry out this vision of being ‘Day Brighteners’ each and every day,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s CEO.

Here’s what will be happening on April 13.

In addition to free coffee, the convenience store chain will host 10 regional events across its chain celebrating “Day Brightener” stores. The stores were chosen from a March call for customer stories on social media recognizing the special connections between associates and customers.

In just a few days, Wawa received more than 300 inspiring stories.  Ten of the best stories were selected to be celebrated at in-store events and on social media.  

In addition to celebrating 10 “Day Brightener,” stories, all stores will select and present a week’s worth of coffee to a customer that is near and dear to the store team who brightens their days.

See the best Day Brightener stores in the Wawa chain.

Also, in honor of all submissions received Wawa will formally present a $50,000 check to its national partner, Children’s Miracle Network.

“At Wawa, we believe we all have a role in making the world a better place by not only filling customer orders – but by fulfilling the lives that we touch every day. Because happy, fulfilled and connected people, make happier and stronger communities,” states a Wawa release.

Wawa, Inc., is a privately held company that began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey.

Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, PA in 1902.

The quality, cleanliness, and certification process made Wood’s milk business a success. With the decline of home milk delivery in the 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products.

Today, Wawa offers freshly prepared foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATMs.

There are stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C.

Forbes.com ranks Wawa as No. 24 of America’s Largest Private Companies in 2021 and No. 12 on Forbes 100 Halo List in 2022.