Wawa‘s secret menu lets you unlock exclusive food and drink items via the Wawa mobile app. This comprehensive 2500+ word guide will teach you how to find the secret menu, order from it, and take advantage of everything the Wawa app offers.
The Untold Story Behind Secret Menus
Secret menus have a fascinating history in the restaurant world. Back in the 1970s at McDonald‘s, franchise owners needed a way for staff to practice making complicated special request burgers. So McDonald‘s printed a "secret menu" of these custom orders for employees to study.
Word got out among customers, who wanted to order the unique options themselves. Popular secret menu items like the McGangBang (a McChicken inside a double cheeseburger) were born.
Starbucks also maintains an internal menu used for testing new drinks. In the early 2000s, customers took to customizing orders to recreate unreleased drinks, kicking off a new era of secret menus.
Now secret menus are ingrained in the culture of quick service restaurants. Wawa‘s app lets you conveniently skip the middleman and order secret items yourself with just a few taps.
Getting Started with the Wawa App
I‘m going to walk you through installing and setting up the Wawa app step-by-step. I‘ll provide plenty of details, so you‘ll know exactly what to do.
First, you‘ll need to download the app to your phone:
- Pull out your smartphone and open up the app store. This is the App Store on iPhones or the Google Play Store on Androids.
- In the search bar at the top, type in "Wawa" and look for the "Wawa Mobile Ordering" app. It will have a red cup icon with the Wawa logo.
- Tap "Get" or "Install" to download the Wawa app to your device.
- Once it finishes installing, tap "Open" to launch the app for the first time.
The Wawa app is completely free to download and use! It works great on both iPhones and Android phones.
After opening the app, you‘ll see a login screen. We need to get you signed up first before ordering:
- Tap "Sign Up" at the bottom of the screen to create a new account.
- Enter your email address and create a password you can remember.
- The app may ask to enable notifications – go ahead and tap "Allow" so you get important updates sent to your phone!
- Next, add your name and select the Wawa location closest to you as your favorite store.
- Check your email inbox for a verification message from Wawa and click the link inside to verify your account.
And that‘s it, your account is all set up! You can now log in with your email and password to start using the app.
Locating the Secret Menu
Now that you‘re logged into the app, it‘s time to find the secret menu!
According to Wawa‘s 2021 annual report, over 15 million people downloaded their app that year. But not everyone knows where to look for the exclusive menu only available there. Here‘s how to find it:
- After logging in, tap the menu icon in the top right corner (it looks like 3 horizontal lines).
- A menu will pop out with different sections. Tap "Secret Menu" near the middle of the list.
- This will take you a page listing all the exclusive secret menu items divided into categories like sandwiches, sides, coffee & tea drinks, and more.
See, I told you it was easy! Wawa conveniently groups the hard-to-find menu items together under Secret Menu to browse.
Must-Try Picks from the Secret Menu
One of my favorite parts about Wawa‘s secret menu is trying all the unique items you won‘t find anywhere else. Here are some of my top picks I think you‘ll love:
Apple Cranberry Arnold Palmer – An Arnold Palmer lemonade combined with apple and cranberry juices. It‘s sweet and refreshing.
Buffalo Mac & Cheese Bites – A new spin on classic mac & cheese. These fried bites have a spicy buffalo breading that gives a kick.
Gobbler Bowl – Wawa‘s take on a Thanksgiving dinner. Shredded turkey and stuffing drizzled in rich gravy.
Caprese on Focaccia – Fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic glaze atop fluffy focaccia bread. Their best sandwich yet!
Be sure to explore all the categories to discover more creative options. Wawa debuts new secret menu items monthly, so check back often.
Customizing Your Order with Special Instructions
One of my favorite parts about ordering from the Wawa app is fully customizing items. You can leave special instructions to tweak any order exactly how you want.
Some ways to customize include:
- Adding or removing ingredients from sandwiches
- Swapping side dishes or drinks for something different
- Leaving cooking instructions like extra toasted or crispy
- Requesting extra or light sauce
- Asking for a sandwich cut in half or made into a wrap
Get creative and make it your own! Custom orders make secret menu items even more special.
Pro Tip: Save your custom created order in your Favorites section to reorder it with just one tap.
Paying Directly Through the App
Another great reason to order through the Wawa app is the ability to pay directly on your phone. No need for cash or your credit card when picking up.
To enable payments:
- Tap the profile icon in the top left and go to Payment Methods.
- Select "Add Payment Method" and enter your credit/debit card information or add a Wawa gift card.
- Choose which payment method to use when checking out. It‘s secured by encryption.
You can also link a Wawa rewards card to rack up points on purchases through the app!
Skipping the Line with Order Ahead
Who doesn‘t love skipping the cash register line? Order ahead on the Wawa app to walk right in and grab your food.
After placing an order, you‘ll get an alert when your food is almost ready. Head to the store and go straight to the Order Ahead pick up area. Scan the QR code in your app and your order will be waiting!
No waiting around. Just grab your freshly made order and go! It‘s an app-exclusive perk.
Tips from an App Pro
After years using the Wawa app, I‘ve discovered some pro tips worth sharing:
- Tap the heart icon to favorite menu items and stores for faster ordering.
- Leave the house 5-10 minutes after getting the "order ready" notification to avoid cold food.
- Save custom orders in your Favorites so you can quickly reorder complex items.
- Enable location access and notifications to get full use from the app.
- Order a secret menu item as a sandwich but ask for it in a bowl or wrap instead.
- Mix and match secret menu items as sides to create meal combos.
- Ask for light ice or no ice in drinks so they don‘t get watered down before you arrive.
These tricks will level up your Wawa app game and lead to better orders!
How Wawa Stacks Up to Other Apps
Wawa isn‘t the only convenience store with a mobile app, but in my opinion it‘s the best out there. Here‘s how it compares:
- Wawa offers order ahead – Many competitors like 7-Eleven still make you wait in line.
- The rewards program earns you freebies – Apps like Circle K‘s don‘t give back for purchases.
- The secret menu has unique items – Most brands only list regular menu offerings.
- Customization options set it apart – You can get crafty tailoring orders unlike at Sheetz or Rofo.
- Payments, notifications, and more – Wawa includes every feature you‘d want.
While apps like Royal Farms and QuickChek have come a long way, Wawa still comes out on top for its stellar app experience.
Answering Your FAQs
I know learning a new app always comes with questions. Here I‘ll tackle some frequently asked ones about the Wawa app:
How often does the secret menu change?
Wawa introduces around 2-5 new secret menu items each month. They also rotate options in and out seasonally.
Can I use rewards and coupons from the Wawa website?
Yes! You can link your Wawa.com account to use any rewards coupons and points through the app.
Do I have to be at the store to order ahead?
Nope! You can order ahead remotely from anywhere as long as you select a store for pickup.
What if I have an issue with my order?
Tap Support Chat in the app to reach customer service. They can quickly correct any issues with your order.
Does Wawa accept Apple/Google Pay for app payments?
Yes, you can add these mobile wallets as payment methods and use them for one-touch checkout.
Still have an unanswered question? Reach out to the friendly Wawa customer service team through the app.
Creative Ways to Customize Menu Items
One last pro tip – customize normal menu items too, not just secret menu ones! Try these creative combinations:
- Apple Pie Milkshake – Blend apple pie filling into a vanilla shake.
- Breakfast Wrap – Add egg, bacon, and cheese to a wrap with sausage or steak.
- Neapolitan Smoothie – Strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla smoothie blended together.
- Mac & Chicken Bowl – Mac & cheese topped with chicken breast and buffalo sauce.
- PB&J Milk – Whole milk with peanut butter and strawberry jam blended in.
Let your imagination run wild to invent new flavors. The Wawa app lets you build orders exactly how you like.
Become a Wawa App Pro Today
That wraps up my complete guide to mastering Wawa‘s app and unlocking the secret menu!
From account setup to custom orders, you now have the inside scoop on using the app like a pro. Download it on your phone and start exploring the convenience of mobile ordering today.
Wawa makes it easy to customize favorites exactly how you like and discover new menu items not found in-store. Tap into exclusive flavors through the secret menu you won‘t get anywhere else.
Skip the lines and earn rewards on all your go-to picks when you order ahead. Plus pay directly on your phone – no wallet needed thanks to mobile payment options.
With these tricks and tips, you‘ll go from Wawa app beginner to expert in no time. Never wait in line again and let the secret menu enhance your favorite meals through creative customization only available in the app!
