Late 1960s
Andrew Cherng comes to the United States to study mathematics at Baker University in Kansas. There, he meets his future wife, Peggy, also an international student.
Our Story
The driving force behind Panda Restaurant Group’s unprecedented success is the combined leadership of Andrew and Peggy Cherng. Like yin and yang, their complementary strengths of visionary entrepreneurship and people-centered engineering have shaped the company’s mission, values, and direction.
The driving force behind Panda Restaurant Group’s unprecedented success is the combined leadership of Andrew and Peggy Cherng. Like yin and yang, their complementary strengths of visionary entrepreneurship and people-centered engineering have shaped the company’s mission, values, and direction.
Andrew, the visionary, has always been driven by unreasonable possibilities. His audacious dreams are the catalyst for Panda's growth and innovation.
Peggy, the systems builder, grounds these dreams in practical reality, ensuring that Panda's operations are efficient, scalable, and centered around people.
Behind the success
Our Shared Values Drive
Our Success
Together, Andrew and Peggy’s partnership has cultivated a human-centric company culture that prioritizes employee growth and delivers exceptional guest experiences. Their shared values underpin this approach:
Dream Big,
Achieve More
Andrew and Peggy consistently push the boundaries of what is possible, inspiring their team to strive for greatness.
Pioneering New Paths
They are trailblazers, creating new opportunities and setting industry standards that pave the way for others.
Principled Growth
Their commitment to quality, innovation, and people-centric practices ensures that Panda’s growth is sustainable and responsible.
Continuous Learning
and Improvement
Andrew and Peggy’s "no best, only better” mindset and their ongoing pursuit of growth and learning has been a catalyst for Panda’s success.
Grateful Leadership
They model gratitude rooted in a deep appreciation of the opportunities afforded them and of the people who have supported and built alongside them.
The Cherng legacy is a shining example of the American Dream realized and the ambition to share that good fortune with others. Their story demonstrates the impact that trailblazing and compassionate leadership can have on a company and the communities it serves.
Panda Restaurant Group at a glance
Timeline
Our History
Andrew and Peggy’s journey to build Panda Restaurant Group has been marked by significant milestones that reflect their unwavering dedication to our vision. Below are some of the key moments of Panda’s history:
1973
Andrew Cherng and Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng open the doors to their first Panda Inn in Pasadena, California. The menu is inspired by the flavors of Mandarin and Sichuan cuisine.
1983
Andrew and Peggy Cherng open Panda Express, a fast casual version of Panda Inn, at the new Glendale Galleria Mall. The restaurant introduces profit-sharing for general managers. This unprecedented move, a testament to Panda’s commitment to sharing good fortune and giving with its associates, becomes a cornerstone of the company’s culture.
1987
Chef Andy Kao creates the original Orange Chicken.
1993
By 1993, Panda Express grows to over 100 locations.
1997
The first drive-thru Panda Express store opens in Hesperia, CA.
1999
Panda Restaurant Group establishes Panda Cares, its philanthropic arm dedicated to serving local communities through health and education initiatives for underserved youth.
2007
Guest love and enthusiasm propels Panda Express to open its 1000th location in Pasadena, California. Panda Restaurant Group achieves $1 billion in revenue for the first time.
2011
Panda Express opens its first global restaurant in Mexico City, Mexico. Additional locations outside the U.S. now include Guam, Puerto Rick, Canada, South Korea, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia.
2013
The University of Panda launches, offering all associates world-class educational resources for developing personally and professionally.
2014
The Panda Express Innovation Kitchen is born to keep pushing the boundaries of American Chinese cuisine.
2017
The 2,000th Panda Express opens in New York, New York. This expansion coincides with the company surpassing $3 billion in annual revenue
2018
The Panda Expressed podcast launches, offering insights on leadership and personal development from Andrew and Peggy Cherng and other leaders.
2020
Panda achieves a milestone by being certified as a Great Place to Work. This recognition is further solidified by being named a Fortune Best Workplace for Millennials and Fortune Best Workplace for Women for the first time.
2021
The Panda CommUnity Fund is born as a way to continue fostering unity and understanding in our communities.
2022
Panda’s commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace culture is acknowledged with top rankings on Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and People Companies that Care for the first time.
2023
Panda Restaurant Group celebrates its 50th anniversary and Panda Express celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2023
Our first-ever loyalty program, Panda Rewards™, is launched. In one year, our loyalty program surpasses 10 million users.
2024
Panda Cares celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since 1999, Panda Cares has raised over $415 million.
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