KANNAPOLIS — Panda Express, the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S., is celebrating the grand opening of its newest location in Kannapolis with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Cabarrus Chamber in attendance on Tuesday, Aug. 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and the first lucky 88 guests to receive a free Panda Express branded T-shirt.

Located in Kannapolis at 450 Kannapolis Parkway, the new Panda Express location offers Panda’s familiar dishes, including its Original Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp and guest-favorite Broccoli Beef entrée.

Guests can also sign up for the new Panda Rewards program on the Panda Express mobile app or online at PandaRewards.com and receive a Welcome Gift2 and exclusive surprises all year long.

“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Kannapolis community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through fundraising opportunities,” said Zi Gaviola, Panda Express area coach of operations. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.”

The new location features an updated store design for the restaurant chain, known as Panda Home. The model incorporates design elements inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and traditions with modern motifs that tells the unique story of Panda Express. Panda recognizes consumer habits have changed over the last three years and to meet the needs of guests’ evolved lifestyles, the updated store design creates efficiencies for operators and diners to accommodate the increased demand for online ordering and drive-thru channels.

Job opportunities for local residents

As a family-owned and operated company committed to supporting the communities it serves, Panda has set out to create multiple employment opportunities for local
residents, offering one of the highest starting wages in the restaurant industry and comprehensive benefits.

A majority of Panda Express general managers earn $100,000 annually. Since 2021, Panda has hired nearly 40,000 new associates and continues to hire more.
Associates will grow professionally, personally, and financially at Panda, as the company provides a wide range of training programs, as well as professional and personal development courses through the University of Panda.

Panda is nationally recognized as a top employer by Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, Great Place to Work Certification and PEOPLE’s Companies That Care list. Those interested in a career with Panda Express can visit Pandacareers.com.

At each Panda Express location, associates ring a bell each time a guest donates to the Panda Cares in-store donation box. Panda Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, donates 100 percent of the funds collected to local nonprofit organizations that support the health and education needs of underserved youth. Any organization registered as a nonprofit/501(c)(3)/tax-exempt organization can sign up for the Neighborhood Fundraisers, and Panda donates 20 percent of pre-tax event sales from in-person and online orders submitted through the Panda Express website or mobile app at the selected Panda location. Organizations can learn more about fundraising opportunities here.

The new location is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with drive-thru open until 10 p.m.