Most popular fast food companies like McDonald’s run a franchise kind of business. Even 93% of McDonald’s is owned, managed, and operated by business owners in other countries. For that reason, you may be wondering – is Panda Express a franchise? Does the company sell the right to own and run a Panda Express restaurant? Find out in details below.
Panda Express
Panda Express is an American restaurant with Chinese-flavored meals. The company began operation in 1983 when the first Panda Express restaurant was opened. The company focuses on developing different kinds of exceptional Asian dining experiences for customers living in the United States.
Panda Express is quite popular now, with over 2,300 restaurants and 47,000 associates in the United States. Most of the meals on the Panda Express menu were inspired by Mandarin and Sichuan cuisine.
Panda Express restaurants are usually located in strategic places filled with foreigners or diverse cultures in the United States. You will find Panda Express restaurants on university campuses, airports, Travel centers, and hospitals.
Does Panda Express operate A Franchise?
A Franchise is when a company sells the right to open, run, and manage a business under its trade name. In the case of fast food restaurants, the business owner will pay the company a particular initial investment to trade under the company’s name.
The business owner becomes a Franchisee while the company becomes its franchisor. There are many other benefits and rules attached to franchises, and these rules are peculiar to individual companies.
Panda Express does not operate the Franchise kinds of business model. The company gives the right to become one of the Panda family through its Licensing program. The licensing business model is slightly different from the franchise business model.
Where Can You Open A Panda Express Franchise Restaurants
Panda Express does not franchise? The company runs a win-win Licensing business model. You can become one of the panda family when you opt-in for its Licensing program.
The company will work you through all the steps for running a successful Panda Express restaurant. Below are the acceptable locations for opening a Panda Express restaurant if you are planning to join the Licensing program.
- Train stations
- Casinos
- Food courts
- College and universities
- Stadium
- Airports
- Hospitals
- Travel centers and Plazas
- Corporate campuses
- Amusement and theme park
- Non-traditional spaces
- Military bases
