Popular Chinese food restaurant chain has plans for another Bradenton-area location
Panda Express, which until recently had no presence in Manatee County, could soon have two restaurants in the Bradenton area.
The new restaurant would be built at 13028 State Road 64 E. in the White Eagle shopping center at Lakewood Ranch, according to paperwork filed with Manatee County Building Services.
Manatee County’s first Panda Express opened in February at 14525 State Road 70 E., in the Braden River shopping center, also in Lakewood Ranch. Both the White Eagle and Bradenton River shopping centers are anchored by Publix supermarkets.
Also on the fast-food front, a McDonald’s restaurant is planned at the Braden River shopping center, according to paperwork filed with Manatee County.
Prior to the opening of the first Bradenton-area Panda Express, the closest of the chain’s restaurants were in Venice, Pinellas Park and Riverview, according to the company’s website.
Andrew and Peggy Cherng opened the first Panda Express restaurant in Glendale, Calif., in 1983. The chain now has about 2,000 restaurants nationwide.
The company is known for its signature Orange Chicken dish, introduced in 1987.
Panda Restaurant Group is the parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express and Hibachi-San.
Panda Restaurant Group operates all of its restaurants, with the exception of select locations in airports, universities, military bases, hospitals, casinos, amusement parks and stadiums. It does not offer franchises at this time.
