Panda Express

Panda Express began in 1983 when Andrew Cherng, his father Master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng, and Andrew's wife Peggy Cherng opened a fast-food version of their upscale Panda Inn restaurant in the Glendale Galleria in California. The concept took American Chinese cuisine out of sit-down dining and into a quick-service format that could multiply rapidly. Andrew Cherng, who studied mathematics at Baker University and earned a master's degree in computer science, applied an analytical eye to the business, while Peggy Cherng, a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, built the technology systems that allowed the chain to scale. Over the following decades, Panda Express grew to more than 2,600 locations across the United States and into international markets including Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, making it the largest Asian restaurant chain in America by a wide margin.

The menu centers on wok-cooked dishes designed for American palates. Orange Chicken, a sweet and tangy battered chicken, accounts for roughly one-third of all entree sales. Other staples include Beijing Beef, SweetFire Chicken Breast, and Honey Walnut Shrimp, the latter carrying a premium price. The chain has introduced limited-time offerings such as Hot Orange Chicken and Firecracker Steak & Shrimp, and in mid-2026 began testing Typhoon Chili Shrimp at select U.S. locations. Side choices include chow mein, fried rice, and Super Greens. The brand operates under Panda Restaurant Group, Inc., which also owns Panda Inn and Hibachi-San, and is headquartered in Rosemead, California.

Panda Express has faced occasional criticism over the nutritional content of its food and debates about cultural authenticity, but it has largely avoided major scandals. Its Panda Cares Foundation awards scholarships through Boys & Girls Clubs, and recent marketing campaigns have featured NFL players such as Brian Thomas Jr. and Penei Sewell in a "Hot OC Takes" promotion. New locations continue to open, including sites in Monument, Colorado and Surprise, Arizona in 2026. [edit]