In what year was Panda Express founded?

Panda Express was founded in 1983, making this the correct answer. This year marks the establishment of the first Panda Express location by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng, in Glendale, California. The restaurant was initially conceived as a more accessible, fast-casual dining option that offered Americanized Chinese cuisine, which paved the way for its subsequent expansion across the United States and internationally.

The significance of this foundation year lies in its role in shaping the fast-food Chinese cuisine market, as Panda Express quickly became known for popular dishes such as Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef. Understanding its founding year provides insight into the company's growth trajectory and its evolution within the fast-casual dining sector over the decades.