Who Owns Panda Express?
Panda Express is owned by Panda Restaurant Group, a privately held American restaurant company founded in 1983. The company operates as an independent private entity managing a franchise restaurant chain. Panda Express is headquartered in Glendale, California, USA.
Parent Company
Panda Restaurant Group
Founded
1983
Status
Private
Headquarters
Glendale, California, USA
Who Owns Panda Express?
- Parent Company: Panda Restaurant Group
- Ownership Type: Private company
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Panda Express | Panda Restaurant Group | Private company |
History of Panda Express
- Founded: 1983
- Founders: Peggy Cherng, Andrew Cherng
Panda Express was founded in 1983 by Peggy Cherng and Andrew Cherng in Pasadena, California. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for quick service restaurants solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the quick service restaurants category for generations. The original concept focused on wok-prepared Chinese-American cuisine served in a fast-casual format. This strategic positioning demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to create differentiated quick service restaurants solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its quality ingredients and efficient service model.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Panda Express expanded significantly, establishing locations across the United States. This period of excellence demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple quick service restaurants segments. The company became one of the largest Chinese-American restaurant chains in the country. This strategic diversification demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the quick service restaurants industry. Panda Express maintained its focus on wok-prepared dishes and quality ingredients as key differentiators.
In recent years, Panda Express has continued expanding its restaurant footprint and has adapted to changing consumer preferences. This continued evolution demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing quick service restaurants requirements and technological advancements. The company has expanded internationally and invested in digital capabilities including delivery and online ordering. This continued excellence demonstrates Panda Express's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing quick service restaurants dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to integrate into larger quick service restaurants corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the chinese-food industry. Panda Express has maintained its position as a leading fast-casual Chinese-American restaurant chain. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of chinese-food and consumer-focused quick service restaurants solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct quick service restaurants identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Panda Express's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing quick service restaurants dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Panda Express's exceptional ability to integrate into larger quick service restaurants corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the chinese-food industry.
About Panda Restaurant Group
Panda Restaurant Group operates as a fast-casual restaurant company managing a network of franchised locations. The company provides franchise support, operational standards, menu development, and supply chain management for Panda Express locations across the United States and internationally.
In 2026, Panda Restaurant Group continues to operate as the parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express, and Hibachi-San, founded by Andrew and Peggy Tsiang Cherng and Andrew's father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. The family originated from the Yangzhou region of China's Jiangsu province, bringing authentic Chinese culinary traditions to American fast-casual dining. The group's headquarters is located in Rosemead, California, and Panda Express stands as the largest Asian-American restaurant chain in the United States with 2,200 branches as of 2025, making it the largest Chinese fast food chain in the country.
The company's growth strategy has included significant international expansion, with Panda Express opening its first branch in Manila, Philippines, in 2019 as a joint venture between Panda Restaurant Group and Jollibee Foods Corp., operating as JBPX Foods. The Cherng family invests their personal wealth through the Cherng Family Trust, demonstrating their long-term commitment to the business. Andrew Cherng and Peggy Tsiang Cherng met at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, with Peggy Cherng receiving her B.S. degree in Mathematics from Oregon State University in 1971 and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, bringing strong technical expertise to the restaurant business.
Panda Express restaurants serve as fast-casual dining destinations offering wok-prepared Chinese-American dishes. The company emphasizes fresh ingredients and quality preparation as core brand values. Panda Express operates through a franchise model, allowing franchisees to operate individual locations while maintaining brand standards and receiving corporate support. The company debuted on Forbes' 2016 edition of America's Largest Private Companies, reflecting its significant growth and market position in the competitive restaurant industry. The company's expansion from five locations to nine in just one year in 1985 demonstrated the strong market demand for its concept and set the foundation for its current dominance in the Chinese-American fast-casual segment.
- Founded: 1983
- Headquarters: Glendale, California, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Panda Express Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Glendale, California, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, International locations
Panda Express Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Established brand with 40+ year heritage
- +Largest Chinese-American restaurant chain in the US
- +Wok-prepared cuisine differentiating from competitors
- +Strong franchise model supporting rapid expansion
- +Significant international expansion opportunities
- +Growing digital and delivery capabilities
Considerations
- -Intense competition in fast-casual dining sector
- -Dependence on franchise partner quality and execution
- -Commodity price volatility affecting ingredient costs
- -Operational complexity managing franchise locations
- -Dependence on discretionary consumer spending
- -Private equity ownership limiting transparency
Frequently Asked Questions About Panda Express
Competitors to Panda Express
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Taco Inc | USA | 1964 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Freddys Frozen Custard Steakburgers Inc | USA | 2002 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

Del Taco
Owned by Unknown Company
American fast-casual Mexican-inspired restaurant chain offering tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-American cuisine.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
Owned by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in frozen custard, steakburgers, and hot dogs.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Panda Express competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Jobs at Panda Restaurant Group
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