Panda Express
A large American Chinese quick-service restaurant chain known for dishes such as Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, and Kung Pao Chicken.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Panda Express is an American Chinese quick-service restaurant brand operated by Panda Restaurant Group. It was created in 1983 by Andrew Cherng, Peggy Cherng, and Ming-Tsai Cherng as a faster, more accessible counterpart to the Cherng family's Panda Inn, an upscale Chinese restaurant business. The first Panda Express opened in the food court of Glendale Galleria in California, establishing a format that combined Chinese-American cooking with the speed, standardized production, and convenience associated with American fast food. The brand initially concentrated on shopping-mall food courts. Its menu was designed for broad American appeal, using recognizable Chinese-inspired dishes adapted for high-volume preparation and counter service. Orange Chicken, developed at a Panda Express location in Hawaii in the late 1980s, became the chain's signature product and one of the best-known Chinese-American fast-food dishes in the United States. Other recurring menu items include Kung Pao Chicken, Beijing Beef, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, SweetFire Chicken Breast, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Black Pepper Angus Steak. Some premium proteins and specialty dishes carry an additional charge. Panda Express expanded beyond malls during the late 1980s and 1990s. The company tested supermarket locations, opened stand-alone restaurants, and launched its first stand-alone drive-through unit in Hesperia, California, in 1997. Its restaurants later appeared in universities, airports, military bases, casinos, amusement parks, and other high-traffic venues. Although mall food courts remain part of the brand's history, the business has increasingly relied on stand-alone and nontraditional locations. University expansion began in 2005, including sites participating in residential student meal plans. Peggy Cherng's background in software design and engineering influenced the group's early use of computerized systems and structured operating procedures. Her systems-oriented approach helped the company standardize logistics, training, supply, and restaurant execution across a growing network. The company also experimented with family-oriented facilities, including Panda Express Play Places, but removed those play areas in 2020 because of operational and maintenance pressures. The brand operates primarily in North America and has expanded through a mixture of corporate operations, franchises, joint ventures, and international operating partners. Its international development has included Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, the Gulf region, Central America, the Caribbean, Guam, and a site at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Some market entries have been discontinued or reorganized, including the cessation of corporate support for Russia in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. Panda Express is also associated with Panda Cares, the philanthropic program established in 1999 to support children, hospitals, education, and disaster relief. The company has used restaurant donation boxes, food donations, and employee volunteering to raise funds and provide services. In addition to its established menu, Panda Restaurant Group has maintained innovation activities through the Panda Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena, where new ingredients, flavors, and beverage concepts have been tested. The group's private ownership allows the brand to pursue long-term expansion without being subject to public-market reporting requirements. It remains active as one of the most prominent American Chinese restaurant chains, with a large domestic footprint and a continuing international presence.
History
Panda Express grew out of Panda Inn, the Chinese restaurant business founded in California by Andrew Cherng and his father, Ming-Tsai Cherng. Andrew entered the restaurant business in the United States in 1973, when the family opened its first Panda Inn in Pasadena. Peggy Cherng joined the business in 1982 after experience in software design and engineering. Her technical and analytical background later influenced the group's use of computer systems, standardized processes, and operational controls. In 1983, a relationship between Andrew Cherng and UCLA football coach Terry Donahue helped connect the Cherngs with Donahue Schriber Real Estate, the manager of Glendale Galleria. The real-estate company invited the family to develop a fast-food version of Panda Inn for the mall's food court. Panda Express opened there in October 1983. A second restaurant followed at Westside Pavilion in 1985. The concept translated Panda Inn's Chinese cuisine into a counter-service model designed for rapid ordering and centralized preparation. The early business was concentrated in major shopping-mall food courts. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Panda Express tested locations in supermarkets through an arrangement with Vons and began developing stand-alone restaurants. Its first stand-alone drive-through opened in Hesperia, California, in 1997. This broadened the brand's reach beyond mall traffic and established a format that could operate in suburban and roadside environments. Chef Andy Kao is credited with developing the original Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe at a Hawaii location in 1987. The dish became the brand's defining menu item and helped establish Panda Express as a distinctly American Chinese restaurant rather than a traditional regional Chinese chain. The menu continued to combine familiar Chinese-American flavors with high-volume restaurant execution. Alongside Orange Chicken, the company built a broad selection of chicken, beef, seafood, vegetable, noodle, rice, and beverage items. The company expanded into institutional and nontraditional venues. Beginning in 2005, it opened restaurants in college food courts, including locations integrated with student meal plans. Other formats appeared in airports, military installations, casinos, universities, amusement parks, and stand-alone buildings. During the late 2000s, the group also rolled out children's play areas known as Panda Express Play Places. These were eventually removed in August 2020 amid the effects of COVID-19 and the cost of maintaining them. Panda Express developed a substantial philanthropic identity through Panda Cares, founded in 1999. The program supports children in need, children's hospitals, education initiatives, and disaster relief through fundraising, food, and volunteer service. Donation boxes were installed across the restaurant system in 2010. One major education initiative supported by Panda Cares is The Leader in Me, while other contributions have supported Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. International expansion accelerated in the 2010s. The first Mexican location opened in Mexico City in 2011. Subsequent entries included Canada, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Guatemala, Aruba, El Salvador, Japan, the Philippines, and Germany. The company used various partnership and franchise arrangements, including a joint venture with SF Innovation in South Korea, a partnership with Ippudo in Japan, a joint venture with Jollibee Foods Corporation in the Philippines, and operating partners in the Gulf region. A Russian operation was later discontinued in terms of corporate support in 2022. Panda Express has continued to invest in product development. Panda Innovation Kitchen in Pasadena has served as a testing venue for flavors, ingredients, and new concepts, including Taiwanese-style beverages and experimental desserts. The brand has also explored digital and virtual-world opportunities through the PANDAVERSE trademark application filed in 2022. Its growth has remained under the privately held Panda Restaurant Group, which also operates Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Today, Panda Express is a major American Chinese quick-service chain with a broad domestic network and restaurants or partnerships in multiple international markets.
- 2022
International and sustainability changes
[1]Panda Express ends corporate support for Russia, files the PANDAVERSE trademark application, and commits to transitioning to cage-free eggs.
- 2020
Play Places are removed
[1]The company removes its children's play areas during the COVID-19 period and amid increased maintenance costs.
- 2019
Philippines debut
[1]The first Philippine restaurant opens at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong under a partnership with Jollibee Foods Corporation.
- 2017
2,000th location opens
[1]The chain opens its 2,000th restaurant near Columbia University in New York City.
- 2014
South Korea and United Arab Emirates expansion
[1]Panda Express opens in Seoul through a partnership and establishes its first Middle Eastern location in Dubai.
- 2011
Mexico entry
[1]The brand opens its first Mexican location in Mexico City.
- 2005
College-campus expansion begins
[1]Panda Express begins opening restaurants in university food courts, including locations connected to student meal plans.
- 1999
Panda Cares is established
[1]The company launches its philanthropic program to support children, hospitals, education, and disaster relief.
- 1997
First stand-alone drive-through opens
[1]The company opens its first stand-alone drive-through restaurant in Hesperia, California.
- 1987
Orange Chicken is developed
[1]Chef Andy Kao develops the original Orange Chicken recipe at a Panda Express location in Hawaii.
Products and positioning
American Chinese fast food and casual quick-service dining
Entree · 1987
Orange Chicken
Panda Express's signature dish consists of battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet, tangy, and savory orange-flavored sauce. Developed in Hawaii in 1987, it became the product most strongly associated with the brand and a prominent example of American Chinese fast-food adaptation.
Entree
Kung Pao Chicken
A chicken entree built around a spicy-sweet American Chinese flavor profile, typically combining chicken with vegetables and peanuts. It is one of Panda Express's recurring core menu offerings.
Entree
Beijing Beef
A beef-based American Chinese entree featuring crisped beef and a sweet-savory sauce. It represents the chain's approach of adapting familiar Chinese-inspired flavors for fast counter service.
Entree
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
A grilled chicken offering served with a teriyaki-style sauce. It provides a less breaded alternative within the chain's broader selection of chicken entrees.
Side dish
Chow Mein
A stir-fried noodle side that is commonly paired with the chain's entrees in combination meals. It is one of Panda Express's best-known staple sides.
Side dish
Fried Rice
A rice-based side prepared in a fast-service format and offered alongside the brand's entrees and combination meals.
Premium entree
Honey Walnut Shrimp
A premium seafood entree combining shrimp with a sweet sauce and walnut garnish. It is positioned above the chain's standard entree range and may carry an additional charge.
Premium entree
Black Pepper Angus Steak
A premium beef offering using Angus steak and black-pepper seasoning. It extends the menu beyond the chain's more familiar chicken and side-dish combinations.
Controversies
2021
Lawsuit alleges sexual battery at Panda Express-sanctioned seminar
A former Panda Express employee sued Panda Express, alleging sexual battery and emotional distress after she was compelled to strip to her underwear at a company-sanctioned seminar. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a court determination.
2013
Hawaii sexual-harassment settlement
Panda Express agreed to a $150,000 settlement in an EEOC action concerning alleged sexual harassment of at least three female teenage employees by a kitchen supervisor. The company also revised policies and provided anti-discrimination and harassment training.
2011
EEOC discrimination lawsuit
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Panda Express over allegations that Hispanic employees were treated differently from Asian employees.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Nightline brand feature
United States
ABC News program Nightline featured Panda Express and its growth, including Andrew Cherng's emphasis on employee and management development.
Outcome. Increased national media visibility for the privately held chain.
- 2010Restaurant donation-box program
United States
Donation boxes were installed in Panda Express restaurants to support the group's charitable activities.
Outcome. Created a recurring point-of-sale fundraising channel for Panda Cares.
- 1999Panda Cares
United States
Panda Express created Panda Cares to provide funding, food, and volunteer support for children in need, children's hospitals, schools, and disaster-relief efforts.
Outcome. Established a long-running charitable platform supported by restaurant fundraising and corporate giving.
Brand decisions
2022
Withdrawal of corporate support from RussiaStrategyBackground
The decision followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine and affected the company's international support model.
Action taken
Panda Express ceased corporate support for Russian operations, marketing, and supply-chain activities.
Aftermath
The company no longer provided the previously described corporate backing for its Russian presence.
2022
Cage-free egg commitmentOtherBackground
Animal-welfare organizations had urged restaurant companies to improve egg-sourcing practices.
Action taken
Panda Express committed to transitioning to 100% cage-free eggs.
Aftermath
The commitment became part of the brand's animal-welfare and sourcing policy direction.
2022
PANDAVERSE trademark filingOtherBackground
Digital platforms and virtual worlds were creating new ways for consumer brands to represent food and merchandise.
Action taken
Panda Restaurant Group filed a United States trademark application covering virtual food and beverage goods for use in virtual worlds.
Aftermath
The filing indicated exploratory interest in extending the brand into virtual environments; the material does not establish a subsequent commercial launch.
2017
Expansion to the 2,000-location milestoneStrategyBackground
After expanding from mall food courts into stand-alone restaurants and institutional venues, the company continued broad domestic growth.
Action taken
Panda Express opened its 2,000th restaurant near Columbia University in New York City.
Aftermath
The milestone illustrated the scale of the privately held restaurant system and its move beyond its original mall-centered format.
Recent events
Lawsuit alleges sexual battery at Panda Express-sanctioned seminar[3]
Reported:
A former Panda Express employee sued Panda Express, alleging sexual battery and emotional distress after she was compelled to strip to her underwear at a company-sanctioned seminar. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a court determination.
Panda Express announces discount for hospital staff and first responders[4]
Reported:
Panda Express announced that hospital staff and first responders could receive 10 percent off in-store purchases at participating Panda Express and Panda Inn locations in the United States and Canada, starting May 11 and valid through December 31, 2020.
Sources4 sources
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