ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Dec. 7, 2005--Panda Express, the nation`s leader in Chinese fast-casual restaurants, debuted six new or remodeled university locations in 2005 and will continue its aggressive growth on college campuses in 2006 with more than 10 Panda Express university sites slated to open. This includes restaurants at University of Connecticut at Storrs, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, and Central Florida University in Orlando. The increase of university locations will help the company meet its expansion goals of 1,000 restaurants by the end of 2006, and their long-term vision of 10,000 restaurants. Panda Express currently has more than 750 restaurant locations in 36 states.
Panda Express has expanded rapidly into university sites in the last six months. The newest restaurant will open at Arizona State University at Tempe before the end of the year bringing the total number of college campus locations to 20. Recent openings include Kansas State University at Manhattan and University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in August, and University of Oregon at Eugene in September. The restaurants at Michigan State University, East Lansing, and Oregon State University, Corvallis, were remodeled and reopened this fall.
''With more than 400 street stores, and almost as many non-traditional locations, Panda has been successful in every type of venue the concept has gone into. This shows the high demand for cut-above Asian concepts that offer fresh flavors, quality ingredients and tasty recipes,'' said John Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Restaurant Development for Panda Express. ''University locations are a key growth area for us, and that means a lot of career opportunities and community partnerships on and nearby these campuses. We invite every student, teacher and resident surrounding these colleges to visit our locations and sample our delicious flame-wokked specialties.''
Panda Express launched in 1983, and in 1988, its first restaurant in a non-traditional venue opened in a Vons grocery store. The concept was met with great enthusiasm from guests and therefore, quickly became a priority growth vehicle for Panda Express restaurants. Since then, Panda Express has expanded into nearly 45 Vons/Pavilions/Safeway locations, three Giant Food stores, three government buildings, six airports, 16 casinos, six amusement parks, five sport complexes, and one library. The chain has a goal to open 40 more restaurants in non-traditional venues by the end of 2006. For more information, visit www.pandaexpress.com.
About Panda Restaurant Group
With 750 locations in 36 states, the privately-held Panda Restaurant Group (www.pandarg.com) is the world`s leader in Asian fast-casual restaurants. The successful chain of concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Panda Express is best known for fresh, hot Chinese food, served quickly, and delectable Orange Flavored Chicken, a Panda Express original. In 2003 the company celebrated the 20th anniversary of Panda Express and the 30th anniversary of Panda Inn.
For more information, to schedule an interview, or to request photography, please contact Christy Flanagan of Morgan Marketing & Public Relations LLC: (949) 261-2216 or [email protected].
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