About Panda Express Franchise
Panda Express is one of the largest and most recognized American Chinese restaurant brands in the country, operated through Citadel Panda Express, Inc.
under the parent company Panda Express, Inc.
The brand serves a menu of Chinese American favorites including orange chicken, Beijing beef, and other wok prepared entrees alongside fried rice, chow mein, and spring rolls.
Panda Express Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$427K
Average Investment
$1.4M
Maximum Investment
$2.4M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 8.0% of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Total Investment Range | $426,700 – $2,404,000 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $427K–$2.4M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The ongoing royalty fee is 8.0% of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial License Fee2 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Lease of Premises (Initial 3 months’ rent)3 | $10,000 | $425,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements4 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Supplies5 | $120,000 | $420,000 |
| Initial Inventory6 | $2,200 | $10,000 |
| Computer Hardware and Software7 | $14,000 | $21,000 |
| Non-resettable cash register(s) | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| Insurance8 | $30,000 | $75,000 |
| Expenses Incurred During Initial Training 9 | $13,000 | $29,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $30,0002 |
| Technology Fee | $14,000 |
| Audit Fee | Reasonable audit/inspection costs are payable if the amount of the understatemen |
| Initial Training Fees | $1,0002 |
| Opening Operational Assistance | $5002 |
| Remedial Training Fees & Fees for On Site Consultations Requested by You | $5002 |
| Online Training/ Continuous Education | $250.00 |
| Interest on Late Payments; Bank Charges | 10% per annum, or, if lower, the maximum lawful rate. Amount of any bank fees/ch |
| Successor Restaurant Fee | $10,0002 |
| Management Fees and Costs | 7% of Gross Volume, per Restaurant managed by us, plus our costs. |
| Gift Card Program Participation Fees (Optional) | $0.09 |
| Quarterly Promotional and Marketing Campaign Materials | $300 |
| Initial License Fee2 | $25,000 |
| Lease of Premises (Initial 3 months’ rent)3 | $10,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements4 | $100,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Supplies5 | $120,000 |
| Initial Inventory6 | $2,200 |
| Non-resettable cash register(s) | $6,000 |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | exclusive |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Renewal Term | When the operating term for your Restaurant expires, you may be eligible for a successor operating term for, a single 5-year period, without any further term. |
Panda Express Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Panda Express does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Panda Express does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Panda Express Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordPanda Express has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Panda Express System Growth
Total Units
188
Franchised
67
Company-Owned
121
Panda Express currently operates 67 franchised locations and 121 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 137 | ||
| 2019 | 2046 | ||
| 2019 | 2183 | ||
| 2020 | 139 | ||
| 2020 | 2099 | ||
| 2020 | 2238 | ||
| 2021 | 146 | ||
| 2021 | 2153 | ||
| 2021 | 2299 |
Panda Express Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Panda Express franchise ranges from $426,700 to $2,404,000, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $25,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Panda Express charges a royalty fee of 8.0% of gross sales. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Panda Express Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Panda Express to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Panda Express does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Panda Express has been offering franchise opportunities. The FDD shows an investment range of $426,700-$2,404,000, a 8.0% royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $25,000 and the total investment ranges from $426,700 to $2,404,000 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Panda Express and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Panda Express or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com