PANDA EXPRESS CELEBRATES AMERICA'S LOVE OF THE ORIGINAL ORANGE CHICKEN

When Panda Express Executive Chef Andy Kao created the Original Orange Chicken recipe in 1987, no one could have predicted how deeply America would fall in love. Sweet and crispy with a touch of heat, the combination of flavors struck a chord with people in a way that few dishes do. Today, more than 70 million pounds of Orange Chicken are served each year - that's about four pieces for each man, woman and child in the United States. To celebrate this beloved dish, Panda Express is taking it on the road to thank fans in person.

The Orange Chicken Love Truck tour will kick off August 22 in Los Angeles' Chinatown with a Chefs' Challenge, celebrating Southern California's innovative and diverse food culture. "For 28 years, Panda fans have shown their love and passion for the Original Orange Chicken, making it our most popular dish," said Dave Wallinga, vice president of Guest Marketing for Panda Express. "We now get the chance to thank our guests and celebrate this iconic dish by taking the Orange Chicken Love Truck on tour across the country. We're going to have a lot of fun."

From Los Angeles, the Orange Chicken Love Truck will make its way to Las Vegas, Denver, Austin, Chicago, Orlando and Washington DC, before the tour wraps up in New York City. Each stop will provide an opportunity for fans to celebrate the Original Orange Chicken by enjoying free Orange Chicken samples, walking the legendary orange carpet, relaxing in the Orange Chicken Lounge and competing for the title of #1 Orange Chicken Fan and a chance to win prizes including free Orange Chicken for a year. Guests at select tour stops also will have the opportunity to taste Panda's latest innovation, The Original Orange Chicken and Waffles.

For more information on the Orange Chicken Love Truck tour, fans can visit OrangeChickenLove.com, where they also can shop for exclusive Orange Chicken swag, follow the #OrangeChickenLove conversation on social media and share their Orange Chicken love.

About Panda Express

Panda Express, America's favorite Chinese restaurant, is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including its famous Original Orange Chicken, SweetFire Chicken Breast, award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp and Shanghai Angus Steak. Founded in 1983 and now with almost 1,800 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Mexico, Dubai and Korea, Panda Express is part of the family owned and operated Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences that also includes Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. For more information, visit www.pandaexpress.com, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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