Panda Express is having an eventful year, and it’s not even halfway over. The Chinese American fast-casual restaurant chain started the year strong with New Year’s promotions that highlighted its bicultural identity. Panda welcomed the Year of the Fire Dragon with a short YouTube film created in collaboration with Lofi Girl. The film follows a young girl celebrating Lunar New Year in San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown. After buying a meal from Panda Express, she greets her father with “Have you eaten yet?” a common greeting in many Asian cultures.
More recently, Panda Express went viral for an unexpected mention during Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary special. In the show, Miley Cyrus reminisces about filming with Emily Osment and says they often ordered Panda Express afterward. She also described her “weird” order: Diet Coke poured over a bowl of white rice. The unusual combination broke the internet. Fans rushed to try the strange order, including our very own Goodman Real Estate team. Panda leaned into the moment with an Instagram post referencing “The Best of Both Worlds,” featuring a photo of Diet Coke and white rice as a tribute to one of Miley’s songs from the Hannah Montana show.
Their promotional efforts paid off. Panda Express received the 2026 Brand Icon Award from Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN), a leading source of business intelligence for the foodservice industry. Panda Express CEOs Andrew Cherng and Dr. Peggy Cherng claim the company has helped redefine American Chinese cuisine. The momentum hasn’t slowed. The company continues to innovate through new partnerships, including recent collaborations with Buldak and the L.A. Dodgers.
Goodman Real Estate Services Group LLC is proud to have such an innovative and iconic brand as a client. Congratulations to Panda Express on its achievements this year! We’re excited to see what the future has in store for this beloved brand. Please contact Michael Weiss, Senior Director at Goodman Real Estate Services Group LLC, with opportunities throughout Ohio.
For more information on Goodman Real Estate Services Group opportunities with Panda Express connect with Michael Weiss!