Panda Express is celebrating the grand opening of its newest location in Chattanooga with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce on Monday beginning at 10 a.m., and a day of giving back for the first 88 guests, who will receive a T-shirt gift.
Located in Chattanooga at 1808 Gunbarrel Road, the new Panda Express location offers all of Panda’s iconic dishes, including the world-famous The Original Orange Chicken, award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, and guest-favorite Broccoli Beef entrée. Additionally, guests can enjoy Panda’s newest entrée—Chili Crisp Shrimp. Available for a limited time, the new dish is made with lightly breaded shrimp mixed with aromatic peppers and onions wok-tossed in a savory chili garlic sauce. 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 Gift and exclusive surprises all year long.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Chattanooga community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through fundraising opportunities,” said Julius Salcedo, 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.”
Nationally recognized as a top employer by Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, Great Place to Work Certification and People’s Companies That Care list, 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 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. Wages start at $16 per hour for all front of house hires, as well as $17 per hour for all new back of house hires. 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.
Local store hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with the drive-thru open until 9:30 p.m.), and Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (with the drive-thru open until 10 p.m.).
For more information on Panda Express, please visit Pandaexpress.com.