Two new Wawa stores will open Thursday in southwest Alabama, including the first in Mobile.

The East Coast gas-and-convenience-store chain, which has legions of die-hard fans, is in the process of an aggressive expansion across the central Gulf Coast. Its first Alabama store opened in Fairhope in April to great fanfare.

The two new stores are at 7095 Cottage Hill Road in Mobile, at the intersection of Cottage Hill Road and Sollie Road; and 21022 Ala. 59, at the intersection of Ala. 59 and Baldwin 48 on the south side of Robertsdale.

The itinerary for Thursday, Aug. 29:

8 a.m.: Doors open at both stores. The first 100 customers at each store will receive a free T-shirt. At the Mobile store, festivities will include music by the Excelsior Band.

8:30 a.m.: A ribbon-cutting at the Mobile store will include an update on expansion plans from Wawa leaders. State and local officials will speak. According to information provided by Wawa, the event “will conclude with a check presentation to Feeding the Gulf Coast and a charitable hoagie building contest between the Mobile Fire and Police Departments with a trophy and checks presented to both teams.”

11:30 a.m.: A ribbon-cutting will be held at the Robertsdale store, with a performance by the Robertsdale Drum Line. Company executives and local officials will speak. A check will be presented to Feeding the Gulf Coast, and a charitable hoagie-building competition will be held between the Robertsdale police and fire departments.

Wawa has said it plans to open seven to 10 new stores in Mobile and Baldwin counties over the next three to four years.