Panda Express Restaurant

Panda Express is the popular Asian restaurant in shopping malls in the United States. Under the leadership of Founder and Chairman Andrew Cherng and his wife, Co-Chair Peggy Cherng, PhD, PRG operates three concepts – Panda Inn, Panda Express, and Hibachi-San – totaling over 1,500units, with close to 20,000 associates in 42 states and Puerto Rico.

Andrew and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, established the first Panda Inn restaurant in Pasadena, CA in 1973. Panda Inn was one of the first restaurants to introduce the robust flavors of Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine to Southern California.

After the success of Panda Inn, Andrew Cherng opened the first Panda Express in the Glendale Galleria in California in 1983. He named the restaurant Panda Express to appeal to Asian consumers, especially Chinese; while the dragon has often served as China's national emblem, internationally the panda appears at least as commonly. People easily recognize it is an Asian restaurant based on its name or logo. They serve gourmet Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine in an upscale, casual-dining atmosphere. It is quickly becoming the Chinese food of choice for consumers and developers.

Food is also a symbol of a culture; Panda express is an example that brings Chinese culture to the Western culture. People came to know what Chinese people eat through the Panda Express even though they never been to China. Eating foreign food is a way to get involved in a foreign culture. American people began to try Chinese food in Panda Express. In 2003, Panda Express celebrated diversity by entering their Bringing Cultures Together float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. As the Panda Express reporter wrote, “Panda Express and its associates promise to energize guests with signature dishes such as Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp, to enlightening guests through cultural celebrations such as Chinese New Year and to care for its guests through gracious hospitality and community involvement.”

Panda’s mission is to deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. As our world is constantly changing, they are seeking new flavors to meet guests and new ideas to improve their business.