Panda Express history

1987 Chef Andy Kao develops our signature dish: Orange Chicken.

Starting in 1988, they were also placed in grocery stores when the Cherngs placed a Panda Express in a Vons supermarket.

Sixty of these were financed by money generated internally from sales that in 1993 had reached $100 million and $112 million by May of the next year.

In 1994, in part to help make its expansion and diversification plans go smoothly, Panda revamped its upper management team.

1995 Our first two airport outlets open at Denver International to feed the appetites of hungry travelers.

Although Micatrotto resigned the presidency of Panda Management in 1996, relinquishing it to Peggy Cherng, one of the things that he had recommended was an increase in the number of street-level, freestanding stores offering dine-in, drive-through, and carry-out services.

In 1998, celebrating its 25th anniversary, Panda Management redesigned and reopened its flagship Pasadena Panda Inn, the first of its restaurants.

1999:Company opens 300th Panda Express.

The Hibachi-San Restaurants, featuring Japanese cuisine, are located in shopping mall food courts, about half of which are at select sites outside California. Its aggressive plans called for the opening of from 70 to 80 new units in 2000 alone, including an increasing number of street-level, stand-alone, drive-in units, making them more competitive in a market dominated by hamburger, fried chicken, and Mexican food chains.

2005 Our founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng are inducted into the California Restaurant Association Hall of Fame.

2007 Guest love and enthusiasm propels us to open our 1,000th location in Pasadena, California and achieve $1 billion in revenue for the first time.

2010 Honey Walnut Shrimp makes its debut.

2015 Our first Family Day helps to provide 10 million meals to Americans in need and celebrates our family-owned heritage.

Founders Andrew and Peggy Cherng were inducted into the Carnegie Corporation of New York's 2019 Class of Great Immigrants, celebrating outstanding individuals who enrich our communities and culture, strengthen our economy, and invigorate our democracy.