Panda Express Culture | Comparably
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Panda Express Claimed Company
Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences and parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express and Hibachi-San, is dedicated to becoming a world leader in people development. Whether through sharing good food with guests or providing opportunities for professional and personal growth with associates, all are embraced in a genuine family environment that is uniquely Panda. read more
EMPLOYEE
PARTICIPANTS
2173
TOTAL
RATINGS
14859

Panda Express Company Culture

Panda Express Culture

This score is derived from employee ratings & reviews
3.0/5
Panda Express' Overall Culture is rated C-

Top Rated Culture Dimensions

Panda Express CEO

Top 50%Top 50% of Similar Size Companies on Comparably
Andrew and Peggy Cherng Panda Express' CEO
Andrew and Peggy Cherng
68 /100

Diversity at Panda Express

Bottom 35%Bottom 35% of Similar Size Companies on Comparably
C-

Diverse employees at Panda Express have rated Environment, CEO Rating, and Retention as the highest categories they have scored

Women at Panda Express

Bottom 30%Bottom 30% of Similar Size Companies on Comparably
C-

Women at Panda Express have rated Professional Development, Environment, and Retention as the highest categories they have scored

Panda Express eNPS

Net Promoter Score tracks your employees' overall score to this question: "On a scale from 0-10, how likely are you to recommend working at your company to a friend?"
Bottom 30%Bottom 30% of Similar Size Companies on Comparably

Recommend to a Friend?

-21

Panda Express employees are -21% more likely to recommend Panda Express as a great place to work

30%Promoters
19%Passives
51%Detractors

Working at Panda Express

Working at Panda Express is rated below average by 2173 employees, across various culture dimensions. Panda Express employees rate CEO Rating highest among all categories, and think that Meetings and Office Culture have the most room for improvement, putting Panda Express’s culture in the Bottom 30% compared to similar sized companies on Comparably and in the Bottom 25% compared to other companies in Los Angeles. See below in detail how working at Panda Express was rated by employees.

Overall Company Culture at Panda Express

C-

Overall Company Culture at Panda Express is rated C-

Last updated 13 days ago

Bottom
30%

Panda Express ranks in the Bottom 30% of other companies on Comparably with 10,000+ Employees for Overall Company Culture Score

Overall Company Culture Score by Department

This graph details how each department scores their Overall Company Culture

Results from 2173 Employees

View Results
0
20
40
60
80
100
Engineering
80
Engineering80
HR
73
HR73
Business Dev
62
Business Dev62
Operations
62
Operations62
Customer Support
60
Customer Support60
Product
59
Product59
Sales
58
Sales58
Customer Success
56
Customer Success56

Panda Express Employee Reviews

Out of 1084 Panda Express employee reviews, 66% were positive. The remaining 34% were constructive reviews with the goal of helping Panda Express improve their work culture.

66%
34%
Positive Reviews66%
Constructive Feedback34%

Positive Reviews From Panda Express Employees

  • What is most positive about the culture and environment at your company?
    at the risk of diabetes and blood triglyceride count increase all the free food while on shift
  • What did you like most about the interview process?
    I liked what panda was supposed to be like but I was not shown anything I was told in the interview and panda did not do what they said they would do based on my performance.
  • What are some of the best things about your team?
    My team all love me and see how hard I work and get angry they refuse to promote me or acknowledge my hard work.

Constructive Feedback From Panda Express Employees

  • What's going wrong and how can it be improved?
    Better structured training by competent people who know the pointers to doing the job easier. This job can be fast paced but doesn't have to be difficult.
  • What does the leadership team need to get better at?
    Offer more structured training, in depth pointers on how to do any job without guess work/trial and error to improve efficiency. Make sure leaders are the PIC not bosses
  • Why do you feel undervalued and what would make you feel better about your compensation?
    Getting better hours and being less understaffed

Panda Express Company Information

Panda Express Company Overview

Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences and parent company of Panda Inn, Panda Express and Hibachi-San, is dedicated to becoming a world leader in people development. Whether through sharing good food with guests or providing opportunities for professional and personal growth with associates, all are embraced in a genuine family environment that is uniquely Panda.

Panda Express was founded in 1983 and its current CEO is Andrew and Peggy Cherng. Since its inception 43 years ago, Panda Express has grown to 50000 employees.

Panda Express Mission, Vision & Values

Panda Express Mission Statement

To deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives.

Panda Express Vision Statement

Be a recognized as a world leader in People Development to become loved by our guests.

Panda Express Values

  • Proactive
  • Respect/Win-Win
  • Growth
  • Great Operations
  • Giving

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Panda Express

Panda Restaurant Group understands that the future of our restaurants can only be as bright as the planet on which they reside, so we’re reducing our carbon footprint and use of natural resources through a number of efforts including commercially compostable packaging, oil recycling and energy efficient buildings whenever and wherever possible.

Established in 1999, Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group. We are committed to serving the communities in which we operate by providing food, funding and volunteer services to underserved youth, and disaster relief efforts. Panda Cares Foundation is powered by the in-store donation box program as well as Panda associates and valued business partners.

Headquarter1683 Walnut Grove Ave
Rosemead, CA 91770
United States of America
WebsitePandaRG.com
Founding Date1983
Tel6267999898
Company StatusPrivate
JobsPandaCareers.com
Social Sites

Panda Express Competitors

Panda Express competitors include Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, and Jack in the Box. Panda Express ranks 3rd in Overall Culture Score on Comparably vs its competitors. See below how Panda Express compares to its competitors with CEO Rankings, Product & Services, NPS, Pricing, Customer Services, Overall Culture Score, eNPS, Gender and Diversity Scores.

  1. #1
    Chipotle's Logo
    Chipotle
    4.1/5
  2. #2
    Chick-fil-A's Logo
    Chick-fil-A
    3.1/5
  3. #3
    Panda Express' Logo
    Panda Express
    3.0/5
  4. #4
    Wendy's' Logo
    Wendy's
    2.8/5
  5. #5
    Jack in the Box's Logo
    Jack in the Box
    2.4/5
  • Family is at our core and the reason behind all our actions and decisions. We are a family-owned and family-run business and operate through our family-oriented mission, vision, and core values. What started as a way for Andrew and Peggy Cherng to support their family, turned into thousands of locations worldwide supporting tens of thousands of families.
  • Our mission is to deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. By stretching further and reaching higher ourselves, we model the way for others to stretch further and reach higher than they thought possible. Together, Panda is creating an environment where people can reach their greatest professional and personal potential.
  • YOUR SUCCESS. YOUR FUTURE. ONE COMMUNITY. At Panda, we look at the big picture. From great benefits to a supportive culture to avenues for learning and growth, we aim to provide you with a career that betters your life. EARN, GROW, THRIVE. Growth comes in many forms at Panda. We believe when you gain skills in one area, you improve as a whole. Our culture is one of promoting from within, so you’ll get the tools and resources to rise in your career.
  • UNIVERSITY OF PANDA University of Panda now offers a full range of in-person and online classes, videos, books and more to help everyone at Panda grow their Mind, Body, Heart and Soul. So whether you want to run great restaurants or are looking to grow professionally and personally, the new University of Panda has you covered.
  • Established in 1999, Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group. We are committed to serving the communities in which we operate by providing food, funding and volunteer services to underserved youth, and disaster relief efforts. Panda Cares Foundation is powered by the in-store donation box program as well as Panda associates and valued business partners.

Panda Express Employees

Panda Express has 50000 employees. 2173 employees at Panda Express have reviewed Panda Express across various culture dimensions, providing their opinions on items ranging from executive ratings to the pace at work. The latest review was 13 days ago.

Overall, the 2173 Panda Express employees give their leadership a grade of C-, or Bottom 35% of similar size companies on Comparably. This includes specific ratings of their executive team, CEO, and manager.

Employees at Panda Express are not very pleased with their total compensation at Panda Express, which includes a combination of pay, stock and equity, and benefits.

Overall, employees at Panda Express are not very pleased with their team. 2173 Participants grade the quality of their coworkers a D. Less than half believe the meetings at Panda Express are effective, and the majority look forward to interacting with their coworkers.

The majority of employees at Panda Express believe the environment at Panda Express is positive. Most Participants believe the pace of work at Panda Express is extremely fast. About 66% of the employees at Panda Express work 8 hours or less, while 15% of them have an extremely long day - longer than twelve hours.

Overall, the employees at Panda Express are not very happy, based on their aggregated ratings of future outlook, customer perception, and their excitement going to work.

A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life
Panda Express employees generally work 8.9 hrs a day
Work Hours
A Day in the Life
Employees at Panda Express report the work pace is extremely fast
Work Pace
A Day in the Life
70% of Panda Express employees look forward to interacting with their team every day
Coworkers
A Day in the Life
Panda Express employees typically get valuable feedback on how to improve at work Every Week
Feedback
A Day in the Life
52% of Panda Express employees call their work environment negative
Environment

Joining Panda Express - Employee Onboarding

The prevailing opinion from employees about joining Panda Express is that the company was somewhat prepared on their first day. Panda Express employees concluded that their overall onboarding experience was negative. 36% said their direct manager was helpful with their acclimation during the first 90 days. First impressions are important, and how prepared a company is on your first day leaves a lasting impression.

Panda Express KPIs and OKRs

At Panda Express 25% of employees think their department KPIs and OKRs are clear. Employees’ understanding of Panda Express' KPIs and OKRs is essential for its success. Out of 11 Panda Express employees who’ve answered, “Are your company’s goals clear and are you invested in them?” 5 have said yes.

AnswerPercent
Yes45%
No55%
Are your company's goals clear, and are you invested in them?
AnswerPercent
Yes25%
No75%
Are the KPIs/OKRs for your department clear?

Panda Express CEO & Leadership

Panda Express CEO - Andrew and Peggy Cherng

Andrew and Peggy Cherng Panda Express' CEO
68 /100

Andrew and Peggy’s approval rate is just above average, putting Andrew and Peggy in the Top 50% of all CEOs of similar-sized companies on Comparably, and in the Bottom 45% compared to the CEOs of all other companies in Los Angeles. Andrew and Peggy Cherng is well regarded by employees for the Compensation Panda Express offers, and ranks among the Top 50% of CEOs by employees in that category. Andrew and Peggy is most liked by employees with the company for Less than 1 Year and employees in the HR department. However, employees in the Product department have a slightly unfavorable view of the CEO. When compared to Panda Express’s competitors, Andrew and Peggy Cherng ranks just above Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy. With Andrew and Peggy’s leadership, Panda Express employee respondents are most happy about their Compensation and Environment. Andrew and Peggy was rated slightly below average for Meetings.

Panda Express Leadership

The Panda Express Executive Team is rated a “C” and led by CEO Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Monte Baier, and Vice President - Operations Services and Innovation, Supply Chain and Business Development Robert Lustig

  • Andrew and Peggy Cherng  CEO / President

    Andrew and Peggy Cherng CEO / President

    Andrew and Peggy Cherng serves as the CEO / President of Panda Express.

  • Monte Baier Senior Vice President and General Counsel

    Monte Baier serves as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Panda Restaurant Group. Monte started at Panda... read more

  • Robert Lustig Vice President - Operations Services and Innovation, Supply Chain and Business Development

    Robert Lustig serves as the Vice President - Operations Services and Innovation, Supply Chain and Business Development... read more

  • Ju Cheysadawoot Vice President Operations

    Ju Cheysadawoot serves as the Vice President Operations of Panda Restaurant Group. Ju started at Panda Restaurant Group... read more

  • Evelyn Wah Executive Director

    Evelyn Wah serves as the Executive Director of Panda Restaurant Group. Evelyn started at Panda Restaurant Group in... read more

  • Chi Phan Executive Director, Property Management

    Chi Phan serves as the Executive Director, Property Management of Panda Express.

  • Shaun Jackson Executive Director, Risk Management

    Shaun Jackson serves as the Executive Director, Risk Management of Panda Restaurant Group. Shaun started at Panda... read more

  • Alick Cheung Executive Director of IT

    Alick Cheung serves as the Executive Director of IT of Panda Express.

  • Peggy Hart Director of Real Estate

    Peggy Hart serves as the Director of Real Estate of Panda Restaurant Group. Peggy started at Panda Restaurant Group in... read more

Panda Express Salaries

How much does Panda Express pay?

How much do people at Panda Express get paid? See the latest salaries by department and job title. The average estimated annual salary, including base and bonus, at Panda Express is $130,332, or $62 per hour, while the estimated median salary is $132,675, or $63 per hour.

At Panda Express, the highest paid job is a General Counsel at $240,378 annually and the lowest is a Receptionist at $39,093 annually. Average Panda Express salaries by department include: Finance at $117,382, Operations at $86,422, Communications at $160,275, and IT at $115,331. Half of Panda Express salaries are above $132,675.

765 employees at Panda Express rank their Compensation in the Top 50% of similar sized companies in the US (based on 2238 ratings) while 727 employees at Panda Express rank their Perks And Benefits in the Bottom 30% of similar sized companies in the US (based on 731 ratings).

Salaries contributed from Panda Express employees include job titles like Operations Manager, Inventory, and Sales Associate. Comparably data has a total of 0 salary records from Panda Express employees.

Last updated a month ago.

1st Percentile
$70k
$70k1st Percentile
17th Percentile
$101k
$101k17th Percentile
33rd Percentile
$132k
$132k33rd Percentile
50th Percentile
$178k
$178k50th Percentile
67th Percentile
$221k
$221k67th Percentile
83rd Percentile
$242k
$242k83rd Percentile
100th Percentile
$271k
$271k100th Percentile
$130,332*
Average Compensation
$132,675*
Median Compensation

* Estimated salaries Estimated salaries are based on data provided anonymously by employees and/or estimated by other statistical methods.

Panda Express Salaries by Department

Explore Panda Express Salaries

Diversity & Inclusion at Panda Express

Diverse employees at Panda Express score the company 61/100 across various culture categories, placing Panda Express in the Bottom 35% of companies on Comparably with 10,000+ Employees for Comparably's diversity score. The Diversity score provides insights into how diverse employees feel and rate their work experience at Panda Express across various culture dimensions.

For over 50 years, Panda Express has been sharing lovingly-crafted American Chinese cuisine with guests across the globe. But our story began with one immigrant family and a dream for a better life on the golden coast.,,Panda’s cross-cultural identity extends beyond the culinary world, as we take root in our wonderfully diverse communities and invite people of all backgrounds to join us at our table for a celebration—not just of Chinese culture, but of all cultures and identities —rooted in tolerance, mutual respect, and love.,,OUR VISION,,Ushering a New Era of Belonging,,We embrace the opportunity to unite communities through uplifting voices that challenge perceptions of a monolithic America and collectively celebrating the diverse identities and heritages of the American people.,,OUR ACTIONS,,Panda CommUnity Fund,,A $10M pledge to foster unity and understanding in our communities,,To honor our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we have created the Panda CommUnity Fund. Through this initiative, we support DE&I initiatives, such as advocacy, direct services, and education, while empowering representation and storytelling across BIPOC, women, LGBTQ communities and other marginalized groups.,,$10M PLEDGED OVER 5 YEARS,,$5M COMMITTED YEAR-TO-DATE,,50 ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED & UPLIFTED ,,https://www.pandaexpress.com/unity,,Belonging & Growth Council,,In 2013, we established what is now known as our Belonging & Growth (B&G) Council. The B&G Council is comprised of associates from all backgrounds and departments and works collaboratively to foster a culture of respect and community. In 2023, we expanded the B&G Council to include 16 members, representing both our Operations and Support Center functions. This broader representation strengthens our ability to develop and implement meaningful initiatives that support all associates across the organization.,,Recent accomplishments include training for all Panda leaders on inclusive decision-making and collaborative leadership, refreshing our policies to support authentic self-expression, and improving how we welcome new associates through updated recruiting and onboarding materials aligned with our Values. By listening to associate feedback and fostering open dialogue, we’re building a workplace where every person feels respected, supported, and empowered to grow.

Ranked Culture the Highest

Women 69/100
Department - Operations
Men 84/100
Department - Customer Success
Diverse Employees 81/100
Tenure - 1 to 2 Years

Ranked Culture the Lowest

Women 44/100
Department - Customer Success
Men 58/100
Department - Customer Support
Diverse Employees 52/100
Department - Product

Panda Express Perks & Benefits

Panda believes in the 'Whole Person' approach which entails physical, mental, emotional, and well-being. Panda's benefits package includes an annual learning fund and scholarship for eligible associates to help them grow personally and professionally, competitive hourly base rate, profit sharing bonuses stock options, employee perks, and a total rewards package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match and more. We also host a Leave Share Program where associates can donate vacation hours into a pool to support fellow associates who are experiencing a loss of income due to health conditions, natural disasters, and other hardships.

Health & Wellness

  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

  • PTO / Vacation Policy
  • Paid Holidays
  • Maternity / Paternity Leave

Financial Benefits

  • 401K / Retirement Plan
  • Performance Bonus
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Office Perks

  • Free Food
  • Company Social Outings

Panda Express PTO

Panda Express' PTO and Vacation policy typically gives 0-10 days off a year. Panda Express' benefits and PTO Package averages to represent a $1000 -$1500 cash value per month.

AnswerPercent
Flex Time50%
Vacation Policy0%
Office Meals0%
401k Contribution50%
Childcare0%
Other than healthcare, which of the following benefits is most important to you?
AnswerPercent
Yes0%
No100%
Does your boss expect you to work when you're on vacation?
AnswerPercent
$2500+/mo0%
$1500 - $2500/mo0%
$1000 -$1500/mo50%
$500 -$1000/mo0%
Less than $500/mo50%
What do you estimate the cash value of your benefits to be? Healthcare, PTO, etc?

Panda Express Careers

Panda Express Jobs

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H1B Visa

In 2019, Panda Express applied for 4 H1B visas. Of the work permits applied for, 100% were approved.

Work Permit Application Outcome

Panda Express has a total of 50000 employees

4
Total Applied
  • 100% Granted (4 out of 4)
  • 0% Denied ( out of 4)
  • 0% Withdrawn Application was withdrawn by the employer before approval/rejection ( out of 4)
  • 0% Certified-Withdrawn Application was approved but later withdrawn by employer ( out of 4)

This data was calculated using publicly sourced data from OFLC Performance Data

Let Panda Express Know You Want To Work There

Panda Express Internship Program

Acquiring a position in Panda Express' Internship Program is generally does not offer internships. Why intern at Panda Express? Employees are not so happy at Panda Express and rate their office perks as terrible. It’s summer, interning should not be only a learning experience, but also an enjoyable one. Panda Express employees say they’re never bored at work. Additionally, 20% have developed close friendships with their co-workers.

How difficult is it to get an internship at Panda Express?

Sales
Very Difficult0%
Somewhat Difficult33%
Not Difficult0%
Difficult33%
Does Not Offer Internships34%
Answered by 3 Sales Interns

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Panda Express

What is Panda Express address?

Panda Express location is at 1683 Walnut Grove Ave

Who is the CEO of Panda Express?

Panda Express CEO is Andrew and Peggy Cherng, their score by employees is 68

What is Panda Express eNPS?

The eNPS for Panda Express is -21

What is the salary for SEO Specialist in Panda Express?

SEO Specialist average salary in the US is 74k

What are the salaries in the Design in Panda Express?

The average salaries for Design in Panda Express is 94k

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