Panda Express
Contents6
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Food |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.pandaexpress.com/ |
Founded in 1983 and owned by Panda Restaurant Group, Panda Express is a American fast food restaurant specializing in Chinese food. It is the largest Asian chain restaurant in the United States and spans across over 2500 locations worldwide.[1]
Consumer-impact summary
Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):
- User Freedom
- User Privacy
- Business Model
- Market Control
Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.
Incidents
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Panda Express category.
Mishandling Carbon Dioxide on Soda Machines
In 2025, Panda Express was hit with a civil lawsuit in Riverside County Supreme Court after an investigation showcased the company's dangerous handling of Carbon Dioxide in carbonated fountain beverage system across 500 locations in California, which can result in severe health implications or death. The lawsuits claims the company failed to provide Carbon Dioxide training to employees and failure to disclose employee training information. A $1.056 million settlement was reached on November 20, requiring Panda Express pay "$881,925 in civil penalties, $100,000 in supplemental environmental projects, and $75,000 in cost reimbursement."[2][3]
Hidden Driver Delivery Fee Charge
On July 1, 2021, a lawsuits was filed by Natasha Scott against Panda Express after promising a $2.95 delivery fee to customers via their website and mobile app around early 2020, however the company applies a "Service Fee" (represented as Tax and Fees on ordering screens) that charge customers 10% extra exclusively on food delivery orders. Additionally, the company failed to notify consumers of the "Service Fee", claiming it was for a "digital experience".[4] On November 20, 2023, the company reached a $1.4 million settlement that requires the company compensate customers who ordered between July 17, 2020, and February 16, 2022 up to $10.[5]
See also
- McDonald's
- Pei Wei
- Pick Up Stix
References
- ↑ "Number of Panda Express restaurants in the United States in 2025". Scrapehero. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Panda Express Restaurant Group, Inc., Ordered to Pay Over $1 Million for Hazardous Materials Business Plan Violations". Office of The District Attorney Country of Riverside. 2 December 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Jennings, Lisa (4 December 2025). "Panda Express to pay $1M to settle charges of mishandling beverage station carbon dioxide". Restaurant Buisness. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Rizzi, Corrado (9 July 2021). "Panda Express Hit with Class Action Over Allegedly Hidden Service Charge on Delivery Orders". ClassAction. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Panda Express delivery fees $1.4M class action lawsuit settlement". Top Class Action. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)