News

Panda Express starts 5-year process toward cleaner, healthier menu

Panda Express has begun a 5-year plan to boost the health and flavors on its menu (Logo provided).

March 4, 2020

Panda Express said it is making some major moves to improve its menu through a planned recipe elevation program that includes introduction of new ingredients, as well as reduction of sodium and sugar and elimination of artificial flavors and colors, a news release said.

The menu update, dubbed the Panda Promise, spans the company's entire menu from entrees to sides, with an emphasis on the use of ingredients like fresh whole vegetables that are hand-chopped and cooked in house, as well as continuing to cut sodium and use antibiotic-free chicken in LTOs, and grow the use of cage-free eggs in its locations nationally. 

"So many of our guests tell us that they don't want to choose between food with flavor and food that fits healthy-ish and busy lifestyles," said Panda Express CMO Andrea Cherng in the release. "Over the last several years, our culinary team has made progressive changes to our recipes so that we can offer a variety of dishes that taste and feel good. There is more work to be done to bring our pledge to life, but with time we are confident in the positive changes that we will make."  

The brand will also work to increase the use of protein-rich, low-calorie entrees with at least eight grams of protein and 300 calories or less, which it said will comprise half its menu. 

The QSR has more than 2,200 locations throughout the U.S. and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to more than 10 countries.