Panda Express opens in Mustang
Mustang Chamber of Commerce members hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Mustang Panda Express following its official Grand Opening. (Photo by Jacob Sturm)
By Jacob Sturm
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Panda Express has made its long-anticipated opening in Mustang.
Located just east of the Mustang Walmart, Panda Express is the first restaurant to open inside the Mustang Marketplace development. The development also includes a Chili’s restaurant scheduled for a ribbon cutting ceremony in the middle of June.
As part of the grand opening, members of the Mustang Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon-cutting to welcome Panda Express to the Chamber.
Rodney Wines, Panda Express Area Coach of Operations, provided a quote regarding the restaurant in a May 21 Panda Express press release provided to the Mustang Times.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Mustang community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through fundraising opportunities,” Wines said. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.”
The location, the 30th opened in Oklahoma, offers an updated design for Panda Express, which incorporates designs inspired by traditional Chinese architecture. There is also incorporated motifs that include pandas on the exterior walls of the building.
Additionally, a unique Panda statue is located outside the building as part of a unique store format for the business.
“The “Panda Home” store format features design elements influenced by traditional Chinese architecture as well as provide guests insights around the traditions that share Panda’s brand story,” Panda Express said in a response to the Mustang Times. “Both the interior and exterior
evoke a sense of celebration through vibrant colors and mashups of traditional and modern design motifs, all to welcome guests into the Panda family ‘home’.”
Restaurant hours are from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Drive thru will be available until 10 p.m. Renee Peerman, the President and CEO of the Mustang Chamber of Commerce, also shared her thoughts on the opening of the restaurant.
“We are happy that Panda Express chose to locate here in Mustang,” Peerman said. “They recognized that a lot of their patrons at other stores were from the 73064 and took advantage of the opportunity to open a store here. We look forward to seeing their success as they grow!”
Panda Express also stated their excitement for entering the community officially.
“We are thrilled that the Mustang community has welcomed Panda with open arms and that local residents may now enjoy our American Chinese favorites, all freshly made with quality ingredients,” Panda Express said. “Our newest location in Mustang makes it more convenient and accessible for guests to enjoy their Panda favorites, and we are eager to give back to the local Mustang community through job and fundraising opportunities.”
Panda Express also operates over 2,500 locations nationwide, and now has introduced their cuisine to 11 different countries.
