Get ready and hop on the food train as Panda Express is set to make its stop in Manila. Many speculated where its location would be, and now it’s official — the first store will be in SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Word spread rapidly about the Panda Express opening after the announcement in 2018 that Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), one of the world’s largest and fastest growing Asian restaurant companies, will partner with Panda Restaurant Group to bring Panda Express to the Philippines.
Panda Express has successfully popularized American Chinese cuisine through authentic Chinese recipes adapted to global tastes, setting the brand up as the largest Asian dining concept in the US and the largest American Chinese concept in the world.
To date, Panda Express has more than 2,000 restaurants all over the world, and with close to 39,000 associates. Outside of the US, it is present in Canada, Guatemala, Aruba, Japan, Mexico, El Salvador, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Journey
Panda Express is born out of a successful immigrant story, in which cofounders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng both went to the US in pursuit of a better life.
In 1973, Andrew and his father Chef Ming Tsai Cherng opened the sit-down Chinese restaurant Panda Inn, the first dining concept that led to the creation of Panda Express in 1983.
Andrew and Peggy opened the first Panda Express in Glendale, California with the goal of bringing together bold flavors, quality, and convenience to the dining experience.
The key to the company’s success over the years lies in its values-based culture, focusing on growing its people, serving quality ingredients to guests, and giving back to the community.
Four years after its first store opened, Chef Andy Kao created the Original Orange Chicken, which was inspired by the flavors of Andrew’s hometown Yangzhou, China and Hawaii.
The dish consists of crispy bite-sized chicken covered in a sweet and tangy sauce. It is now the most famous dish on the Panda Express menu, having sold more than 90 million pounds of this crowd favorite.
Other American Chinese classics include Kung Pao Chicken, Broccoli Beef, and Shanghai Steak.
As it stretches from coast to coast and around the world, the Panda Express will soon arrive in Manila. Finally, Filipinos will get to enjoy dining in America’s favorite Chinese restaurant.
Also read: Shake Shack reveals first store location in Manila!