
Established in 1990 in Glendale, California, Panda Express has grown into a leading fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in American Chinese cuisine.
Headquartered in Rosemead, California, the brand is celebrated for its signature dishes like Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef, which blend traditional Chinese flavors with American culinary influences.
While primarily company-owned, Panda Express offers limited franchising opportunities in select venues such as airports, universities, and hospitals.
The menu at Panda Express features a wide array of entrees, sides, and appetizers, all prepared fresh and served quickly to cater to the fast-paced lifestyles of its customers.
The brand differentiates itself by combining traditional wok cooking techniques with modern flavors, ensuring a consistent and high-quality dining experience.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Panda Express provides comprehensive training programs to ensure that franchisees and their staff are well-prepared to operate their restaurants effectively. The initial training program encompasses both classroom instruction and on-the-job training, covering essential aspects such as food preparation, customer service, and restaurant management.
This training is designed to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain the brand's standards and deliver a consistent dining experience to customers.
Additionally, Panda Express offers ongoing support and training opportunities to help franchisees stay updated with new procedures, menu items, and operational best practices. This continuous education ensures that franchisees can adapt to changes and uphold the quality and efficiency expected of the Panda Express brand.
Panda Express does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. This means that the franchisor reserves the right to establish additional company-owned or franchised restaurants in proximity to existing franchise locations.
As a result, franchisees may face competition from other Panda Express outlets within their operating area.
The absence of territorial exclusivity requires franchisees to focus on delivering exceptional service and maintaining high operational standards to attract and retain customers.
Below are some of
Panda Express
key competitors in the
Asian
sector.

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$25,000
$515,000
$3,276,000
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$1,187,000
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Kuma Ani is an Asian-food franchise offering ramen, donburi and ban mein bowls, serving quick-service diners and urban food-lovers, and known for authentic flavours, streamlined operations and investment starting around $345k-$544k.
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Yeung’s Lotus Express is a quick-service Asian franchise offering Chinese and Pan-Asian cuisine via fast casual outlets, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for combining restaurant quality with fast-service convenience. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
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Paik’s Noodle is an Asian fast-casual franchise offering rice bowls, noodle dishes, and Asian fusion flavors, serving quick-lunch and dinner customers, and known for fresh customizable bowls, clean layout, and modern brand identity.
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Fluffy Fluffy is a dessert café franchise offering Japanese soufflé pancakes with fresh toppings and beverages, serving dessert lovers and social café guests, and known for visually appealing dishes, Instagram-friendly atmosphere, and innovative menu options.
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