Conceiving an idea like this must have come from people with a lot of creativity, vision, and, of course, a deep connection and love for food, not just any food, but meals that satisfy, delight, and unite.
It’s not all rosy, either. There have been turns, storms, and thorns, but Panda Express just found a way to blossom into a successful chain of restaurants, and that’s because of the masterminds behind it. Now, let’s see who these people are.
The Founders Behind Panda Express
Panda Express is a Chinese-American food chain founded by Andrew Cherng and Peggy Cherng in October 1983. They both founded the first Panda Express restaurant in Glendale, California, U.S.A., which is now headquartered at 1683 Walnut Grove Avenue, Rosemead, California, U.S.A.
This chain of restaurants has over 2,400 locations in over 20 nations. Its yearly revenue is $3 billion, and it has over 39,000 employees. The Founders, Andrew and Peggy Cherng, were also recognized as Great immigrants by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The Company Behind the Brand: Panda Restaurant Group
Still co-owned, co-shared, and co-founded by Andrew Cherng, Panda Restaurant Group Inc. is the parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express, and Hibachi San.
This company is family-owned and family-grown. Andrew and Peggy Cherng are the co-founders, and Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng is the first officer cook. This company has been built on age-old traditions and cultural preservation, offering the best blend of Chinese and American cuisine.
Andrew and Peggy Cherng’s Vision for Panda Express
Andrew and Peggy Cherng started Panda Express with a strong vision centered around delivering the most heartwarming Asian dishes for utmost satisfaction. Some of their specific goals are:
Healthy Meals
Unlike most fast food restaurants that dish out highly caloric, dense meals with little to no health benefits, or many burgers and sandwiches in the mix. They ensured that Panda Express served meals close to home, comforting and nostalgic, and most of all, healthy and highly nutritious. So you never have to feel guilty about eating good meals.
Hospitality
Panda Express’s origins were built around hospitality and philanthropy. It has always been known for giving back to the community through the Panda Cares Foundation, which, by extension, provides support, food, and treatments to the less privileged.
Hearty Dining Experience
The last on the list, but surely not the least, is Panda Express. It was founded with the vision of serving not just meals to its customers but experiences as well. It’s a delightful immersion when you’re with Panda Express.
Panda Restaurant Groups Other Businesses
As stated earlier, Panda Express Group is the parent company of Panda Express, Panda Inn, and Hibachi San. Here’s a little about what they do.
Panda Inn
This restaurant also focuses on American-Chinese meals grounded in Chinese flavours like Sichuan and Mandarin. It was co-founded in 1973 by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng.
Hibachi San
Unlike its brother brands like Panda Express and Panda Inn, Hibachi San is a chain of restaurants still founded by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, but this time, it is rooted in Japanese culture. There’s no American twist to this one; everything is strictly Japanese and rooted in culture.
It specializes in meals like Teppanyaki and Sushi.
What Has Kept Panda Express in the Business for So Long?
Family Based
Panda Express’s origin for sure has core values and standards that make them stand out, but then, for a family-based, owned, and established business, they do have trade secrets that make them what they are.
Trade secrets are really important in family-owned businesses because this knowledge is passed from generation to generation, and as long as the secret isn’t out, the business remains relevant.
What better way to keep trade secrets than with family.
Customer-First Mentality
Panda Express thinks of its customers before the brand itself because the customers make the brand. It is always open to customer suggestions, reviews, and satisfaction, and is willing to tweak aspects that are not truly serving to ensure that customers are fully satisfied.
Healthy Comfortable Meals
A brand like Panda Express has endured and stayed relevant to this day because it puts a lot of thought into its meals.
Meal preparation, presentation, and preservation are done with health, satisfaction, and overall wellness in mind.
FAQs
Does a larger corporation own Panda Express?
Yes, Panda Express, just like Panda Inn and Hibachi San, is owned by a larger corporation, a parent company called the Panda Restaurant Group.
Does Panda Express own any other restaurant brands?
No, while Panda Express is a brother brand to Panda Inn and Hibachi San, Panda Express does not own any other restaurant brands.
Are Panda Express restaurants Franchised?
While Panda Express restaurants are not traditionally franchised like other brands, except for places like airports and universities, they offer licensing for partnerships.
Who is Andrew Cherng, and what does he do at Panda Express?
Andrew Cherng co-founded Panda Express and Panda Restaurant Groups, overseeing everything that happens there.
Conclusion
Panda Express’s Founders are Andrew Cherng and Peggy Cherng. They founded the first Panda restaurant in the U.S., which has grown to over 2,400 locations worldwide.
Panda Express, however, is under the umbrella of a Parent company alongside Hibachi San and Panda Inn called Panda Restaurant Group. As the name implies, it provides food services. Panda Express is family-owned, grown, and rooted deeply in culture, and should be your go-to when you desire a healthy, intentional meal.
