All Brands Owned by Panda Restaurant Group

Who owns Panda Restaurant Group?
Panda Restaurant Group is privately held by the Cherng family. Founders Andrew Cherng and Peggy Cherng maintain ownership through the Cherng Family Trust. The company has never taken outside investors or gone public, allowing the founders to maintain complete control. Andrew and Peggy Cherng serve as co-CEOs.

Is Panda Restaurant Group publicly traded?
No, Panda Restaurant Group is not publicly traded. The company remains privately held and operates as an independent entity. The Cherng family has maintained private ownership since the company's founding in 1973.

What is Panda Restaurant Group's revenue?
Panda Express reported systemwide sales of $6.7 billion in 2025, up 9 percent year over year. Forbes lists the company's revenue at $6.2 billion as of December 2025. The chain is ranked 11th among the largest 500 restaurant chains in the U.S. by Technomic.

How many Panda Express locations are there?
Panda Express operates 2,609 locations in the United States as of the end of 2025, across 49 states. Internationally, Panda Express operates in 12 countries including Mexico, Canada, South Korea, the Philippines, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The total global footprint is over 2,600 locations.

Who founded Panda Restaurant Group?
Panda Restaurant Group's origins date to 1973, when Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, opened the first Panda Inn in Pasadena, California. Peggy Cherng, Andrew's wife, joined the business and applied her engineering expertise to build the company's operational systems. The first Panda Express opened in 1983 at the Glendale Galleria Mall.

Are Panda Express locations franchised?
Most Panda Express locations are company-owned rather than franchised. This is unusual among large U.S. restaurant chains and gives the company direct control over operations, quality, and customer experience. The average Panda Express location generates approximately $2.6 million in annual revenue.

What is Panda Rewards?
Panda Rewards is Panda Express's loyalty program, launched in 2023. The program surpassed 5 million users within its first year and has grown to more than 20 million users. Members earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for rewards.

What is Panda Cares?
Panda Cares is Panda Restaurant Group's philanthropic arm, established in 1999. The organization has raised over $455 million since inception, supporting education, disaster relief, and health initiatives. Panda Cares celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023.

What brands does Panda Restaurant Group operate?
Panda Restaurant Group operates three brands: Panda Express (the largest, with 2,609 U.S. locations), Panda Inn (the original full-service restaurant concept, serving Mandarin and Sichuan cuisine), and Hibachi-San (a teppanyaki and sushi concept, first opened in 1992).