What Panda Express is and how ordering works

Panda Express is a fast-casual Chinese-American restaurant chain where you order at a counter, choose your protein and sides, and receive your meal within minutes. You can eat in the restaurant, take your food to go, or order for delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub. The chain operates over 2,300 locations across the United States and several other countries.

When you order in person, you walk up to the counter and tell the staff member your choice of entrée (like Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef), your choice of two sides (like fried rice or mixed vegetables), and whether you want a drink and dessert. The staff prepares your meal fresh and hands it to you in a container. If you order online or through an app, you select your items on a menu, pay through the app, and either pick it up at a designated time or have it delivered to your address.

Panda Express does not require membership, loyalty cards, or pre-payment to order in person. You pay when you receive your food. Online orders must be paid before pickup or delivery.

Key Takeaways

  • Panda Express serves Chinese-American food at a counter; you order, pay, and receive your meal within minutes without table service.
  • You can order in person, online for pickup, or through delivery apps, and prices typically range from $7 to $15 per entrée depending on protein choice and location.
  • The menu includes entrées with proteins like chicken, beef, and shrimp paired with two sides, plus appetizers, sides, and desserts available separately.
  • Panda Rewards is a free loyalty program that tracks purchases and offers discounts, but it is not required to order.

Menu structure and what each section contains

The Panda Express menu is divided into sections: Entrées, Sides, Appetizers, Desserts, and Beverages. Every entrée comes with your choice of two sides from the Sides section. Common sides include Fried Rice, White Rice, Brown Rice, Mixed Vegetables, and Chow Mein. The Sides section also lists items you can order separately if you want extra portions.

Entrées are the main dishes and include proteins like Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, and Sizzling Shrimp. Each entrée is a single portion. Appetizers are smaller items meant to share or eat before your entrée, such as Cream Cheese Rangoon, Spring Rolls, and Chicken Potstickers. Desserts include Fortune Cookies, Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and seasonal items. Beverages include soft drinks, bottled water, and sometimes tea or lemonade depending on location.

Prices vary by location and by protein choice. Chicken entrées are typically the least expensive, beef and shrimp entrées cost more, and some premium proteins cost even more. A single entrée with two sides usually costs between $7 and $12 in most U.S. locations, though prices are higher in major cities and lower in rural areas.

How to order online or through a delivery app

To order online through Panda Express's website or mobile app, go to panda.com or read the Panda Express app from your phone's app store. Enter your address or the location nearest you, select your items from the menu, choose your sides, add any extras, and proceed to checkout. You will enter your payment information and select a pickup time. Most locations offer pickup within 15 to 30 minutes of ordering.

To order through a third-party delivery app like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, open the app, search for Panda Express, select a location near you, and add items to your cart. You will pay through the app and select a delivery time. Delivery typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how busy the restaurant is and how far you live from it. Delivery apps charge a delivery fee, a service fee, and sometimes a small markup on menu prices, so your total cost will be higher than ordering in person or picking up yourself.

Online orders and app orders must be paid in full before the restaurant begins preparing your food. You cannot pay cash for online or app orders. In-person orders can be paid with cash, card, or mobile payment methods like Apple Pay.

Panda Rewards and how to save money

Panda Rewards is a free loyalty program run by Panda Express. You create an account on the website or app using your email address and phone number. Every time you order through the Panda Express app or website (not through third-party delivery apps), you earn points. You can also earn points by ordering in person if you provide your phone number at the register.

Points accumulate and convert to rewards. The exact conversion rate varies, but typically you earn one point per dollar spent and can redeem points for free items or discounts once you reach a certain threshold. Panda Express also sends Panda Rewards members exclusive offers and early notice of new menu items. There is no cost to join, and you do not have to use it if you do not want to.

To save money without Panda Rewards, watch for promotions on the Panda Express website or app, order during slower times (lunch and dinner rushes may have longer waits), and order water instead of a paid beverage. Some locations offer discounts for large orders or catering.

Dietary information and allergen concerns

Panda Express publishes nutrition information and allergen details on its website for every menu item. You can view calories, sodium, sugar, protein, and fat content for each entrée and side. The site also lists which items contain common allergens like soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame.

If you have a severe food allergy, inform the staff member taking your order before they prepare your food. Panda Express kitchens are not allergen-free environments, so cross-contamination is possible even if you order an item that does not contain your allergen. The restaurant uses shared cooking surfaces and utensils, so items prepared near allergen-containing foods may have trace amounts of those allergens.

Panda Express does not currently offer a dedicated vegetarian or vegan menu, but several sides and some entrées are vegetarian or vegan. Mixed Vegetables, Fried Rice (made with vegetable oil), and some other sides contain no meat. Check the nutrition information online or ask staff about specific items before ordering if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

What to expect when you visit or pick up your order

When you walk into a Panda Express, you will see a counter with menu boards above it and a line of customers waiting to order. You stand in line, reach the counter, tell the staff member your entrée choice and your two sides, and they prepare your food in front of you. The entire process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. You then move to a separate register to pay if you have not already paid online.

If you ordered online for pickup, you walk in, give your name or phone number to the staff, and they hand you your order. Pickup usually takes less than 5 minutes if your order is ready. If it is not ready, you may wait a few minutes while they finish preparing it.

Panda Express locations vary in size and seating. Some have dining areas with tables and chairs; others are pickup-only or have very limited seating. Check the location's details on Google Maps or the Panda Express app to see whether that location has dine-in seating before you visit if you plan to eat there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I modify my order or request no sauce?

Yes. You can ask for less sauce, no sauce, extra sauce, or modifications to your sides when you order in person. When ordering online or through an app, look for a "Special Instructions" or "Notes" field where you can type your request. Staff will do their best to honor your request, but complex modifications may take longer to prepare.

What if I ordered online and my food is wrong?

Contact the Panda Express location directly by phone or visit in person with your receipt. Most locations will remake your order or offer a refund. If you ordered through a third-party delivery app, contact the app's customer service team, which can issue a refund or credit to your account.

Does Panda Express offer catering or large orders?

Yes. Most locations offer catering for parties and events. Visit panda.com or call your local Panda Express to discuss catering options, pricing, and minimum order amounts. Catering orders usually require advance notice of at least 24 hours.

Are there any items on the menu that are always available?

Core items like Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, Fried Rice, and Mixed Vegetables are available at nearly all locations year-round. Some items are seasonal or limited-time offers and rotate on and off the menu. Check the app or website to see what is currently available at your nearest location.

Can I use a Panda Express gift card at any location?

Panda Express gift cards are accepted at all U.S. locations. You can purchase them on the website, in the app, or in person at any restaurant. Gift cards do not expire and can be used for in-person orders, online orders, or app orders.