ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Panda”), the parent company of Panda Express, America’s largest family-owned and operated Asian restaurant concept, announces today that more than 2,000 Panda Express locations in the United States are now serving beverages from The Coca-Cola Company’s broad portfolio of sparkling soft drinks, teas and waters. In Q4 2018, Panda signed a multi-year agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to be the new strategic beverage partner and, together, the two companies completed one of the fastest beverage transitions in Coca-Cola’s partnership history. Rooted in shared values and a commitment to serving others, this partnership brings together two iconic companies with proven track records in their respective categories and supports Panda’s continued strong growth. 

Since the first Panda Inn restaurant opened in 1973, Panda has aimed to deliver exceptional dining experiences through a people-first mentality, focusing on its guests, employees, and the community. With a strong commitment to inspire better lives, Panda operates on common principles of its new beverage partner, which holds a mission of inspiring moments of optimism and happiness – intended to make a difference for others. Together, Panda and The Coca-Cola Company will continue to operate by these beliefs and use them to guide the family of restaurants in its continued evolution as the American Chinese original.

“As a family-owned company, the relationships we create at Panda Restaurant Group are essential to the exceptional operating culture we have always been known for,” said Dr. Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group. “Coca-Cola’s remarkable accomplishments as a brand and internally as a company motivate us to reach for our greatest potential and are bringing invaluable new ideas that will please our Guests for years to come.”

In conjunction with its committed brand tenets, The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company and partner to some of today’s most prominent restaurant chains. Its seasoned foodservice presence, industry expertise and innovation will unlock a fresh perspective for Panda that will push forth its progression within the industry and global expansion. Additionally, the staple American Chinese cuisine at Panda Express and Panda Inn will be complemented by Coca-Cola’s broad portfolio of beverages that guests have adored for more than 130 years.

“Panda Restaurant Group is an exciting addition to the Coca-Cola family,” said Kathleen Ciaramello, President of Coca-Cola North America Foodservice and On-Premise. “They are a company committed to excellence and value, focused on bringing positive change to this world.  This partnership is not only a strong collaboration within the food and beverage industry but also showcases how two brands uniting through collective values can create positive momentum for everyone involved.”

A variety of Coca-Cola products, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite and Fanta Orange fountain options, as well as Dasani Sparkling and Honest Tea bottled beverages are available at Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi San locations in the 48 contiguous states of the continental United States. For more information about Panda Express and its beverage offerings, visit www.PandaExpress.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS plant-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at http://www.coca-colacompany.com/ and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Panda Express
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express, an American Chinese original, is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Founded and family-owned and operated since 1983, it is best known for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp™, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the better-for-you Wok Smart™ selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,200 locations throughout the U.S. and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to more than ten international countries. Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares, the organization’s philanthropic arm, has contributed more than 140 million dollars and countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 12 million youths as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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SOURCE Panda Express