Panda Express

Panda Express, located at 1701 E Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, California, stands as a cornerstone of American Chinese cuisine and a testament to immigrant entrepreneurship. Founded in 1983 as a fast-casual spinoff of the Cherng family’s original Panda Inn—established a decade earlier in the same city—this globally recognized chain has redefined accessibility to wok-fired dishes, offering everything from health-conscious entrees to iconic comfort foods like Orange Chicken. The Pasadena address, situated near the birthplace of the parent company Panda Restaurant Group, symbolizes the brand’s evolution from a single sit-down restaurant to over 2,300 locations worldwide, blending culinary tradition with operational innovation.

The Cherng family’s journey began in 1973 when Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, opened Panda Inn in Pasadena, specializing in Mandarin-inspired dishes. Struggling initially, Andrew’s persistence and strategic promotions laid the groundwork for expansion. The pivotal shift came in 1983 when a partnership with mall developers led to the first Panda Express at Glendale Galleria, designed to meet the demand for quick-service Asian fare. Peggy Cherng, Andrew’s wife and a PhD holder in electrical engineering, joined the business in 1982, revolutionizing back-end systems with data-driven inventory and workforce management. Her technical expertise enabled scalable growth, while Chef Andy Kao’s 1987 creation of Orange Chicken in Hawaii became the chain’s signature dish, embodying its fusion of bold flavors and mainstream appeal.

Today, the Pasadena location reflects the brand’s multifaceted identity: a Chinese restaurant, caterer, and takeout hub offering steamed veggies, grilled entrees, and customizable wok bowls. The menu balances indulgence with nutrition, featuring options like Mushroom Chicken and Super Greens sides, catering to diverse dietary preferences. As a subsidiary of Panda Restaurant Group—which also operates Panda Inn and Hibachi-San—Panda Express maintains its roots in community engagement through initiatives like Panda Cares, established in 1999 to support education and disaster relief.

Operationally, the chain’s adaptability shines through its five restaurant formats, ranging from 400 to 2,000 square feet, allowing placement in food courts, standalone buildings, and drive-thrus. By the mid-1990s, units were generating $350,000 to $1.5 million annually, supported by increased advertising investments and Peggy’s logistical optimizations. The 1999 reopening of the flagship Panda Inn in Pasadena marked a commitment to preserving heritage while innovating, a duality evident in the 2014 launch of the Innovation Kitchen for menu experimentation.

For Pasadena patrons, the Colorado Boulevard location offers more than convenience—it’s a slice of culinary history. The phone number +1 626-683-9968 connects guests to a team trained in the “Panda Way,” emphasizing hospitality and consistency. Whether catering events with crowd-pleasing chow mein or serving quick takeout via digital ordering, the restaurant exemplifies how immigrant vision, engineering precision, and culinary creativity built a fast-food empire. From mall kiosks to international markets, Panda Express continues to share “good fortune” through every plate, proving that American Chinese cuisine can thrive at the intersection of tradition and modernity.