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