Gas station and convenience store Wawa Inc., which debuts in Northeast Florida on Wednesday with two stores, plans to open six more next year.
The Pennsylvania-based chain then wants to open three to five a year on its way to 30-40 stores.
As of Tuesday, 16 sites are under contract and contracts are out on six more.
Opening Wednesday is 6787 Wilson Blvd. on the Westside and 678 Blanding Blvd. at Filmore Street in Orange Park.
The stores open at 8 a.m. and will offer free coffee for 10 days. Grand opening ceremonies at the Wilson Boulevard store begin at 9 a.m. with the first 100 customers receiving prizes. There also will be a ribbon-cutting and donations to local charities.
A similar grand opening is at 1 p.m. at the Orange Park store.
Next week a third store will open at 4866 Gate Parkway in The Crossing at Town Center.
Next year's openings are:
Stores cost $6 million each, according to Wawa.