History
| The Panda Restaurant story began when Andrew Cherng, a young man from the picturesque Yangzhou region of China, came to the United States to pursue his American dream. With little money but a lot of heart, Andrew and his father Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng started the first Panda Inn restaurant in Pasadena, Calif. The fine dining restaurant introduced the robust flavors of Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine to Southern California and became the inspiration and standard for the Panda Express restaurants that are loved across the world today. With the help and support of his wife Peggy, Andrew knew that quality meals made with fresh and premium ingredients served fast and hot would win over the hearts and stomachs of hungry guests. Today, Andrew and Peggy's vision and passion continue to guide the growth of Panda Express across the United States and abroad. |
About Us
19,000 Panda Associates living one common mission: “Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives.” People – Guests and Associates alike – are the foundation of our business. Panda is committed to exceeding guest expectations by remaining dedicated to the development and growth of all our Associates. Great Associates result in exceptionally happy guests. Known as the "Panda Way," our company culture places special emphasis on encouraging our Associates to focus on a healthy lifestyle, continuous learning, developing others and acknowledging others. We believe that this, coupled with our five fundamental values – proactive, respect/win-win, growth, great operations and giving – provides our Associates with an environment where they can both inspire and be inspired. |
Our Mission Panda Mission: “Deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives.” To achieve our mission, our actions are guided by five values. Proactive: We identify opportunities for growth and lead others to create the future we envision. Respect / Win-Win: We treat each other with respect and seek “win-win” relationships with guests, business partners and our communities. Growth: For Panda to grow, we must each learn and grow. We are humble and open to new ideas as our world is constantly changing. Great Operations: Great operations are Panda’s competitive advantage, both in our restaurants and support center. Giving: We give our time and resources to support one another and our communities. |
Panda Cares
Panda is committed to giving our time and resources to support one another and our communities. Established in 1999, Panda Cares promotes our spirit of giving by serving the health and education needs of underserved children. More than $22 million has been raised for charities and causes in the United States and internationally.
Panda Express has 1,550 restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and is America's fastest growing Chinese restaurant concept. Venues: Our teams of award-winning designers and architects give Panda Express its unique, fun and progressive look. Growing Fast: Panda is aggressively seeking new locations. |
