Philadelphia

Wawa Vs. Dawa: Philly-Area Convenience Store Chain Sues North Jersey Store Over Name

Philadelphia-area convenience store favorite Wawa sued a North Jersey convenience store called Dawa.

Pennsylvania-based Wawa, which has more than 700 convenience stores in six states, has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the store in Paterson. Wawa says Dawa is taking advantage of its hard-earned reputation.

"Dawa" is a casual way to say "come in" in Korean and is interpreted to mean "welcome."

Dawa owner Mike Han told the Courier-Post that he named it that, because everyone is welcome at the store in an industrial area between a rail line and the Passaic River.

But Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce says that the company has an obligation to protect its consumers from any confusion and protect the brand name.

The company sued a Florida store named Wawa Curry Taste back in 2014 claiming its name was also too close to Wawa's trademark.

Wawa's name is derived from a Native American word for Canada goose.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us