California-based Panda Restaurant Group appears very interested in expanding its presence around Columbus, having recently purchased three Central Ohio properties in the past six months.
CFT NV Developments LLC, the restaurant group’s development arm, has been staying busy lately, with at least three potential locations secured, according to the Columbus Business Journal. As a result, Panda Express is getting ready for a significant expansion throughout the area. In December, the company bought a location at 3947 S. High Street for $1 Million, according to Franklin County property records. It also acquired a site at 3721 Fishinger Boulevard in Hilliard for $1.2 million in the same month, hoping to land a location in the former home of a KFC restaurant. In October, the company bought a 1.3-acre site at the intersection of Johnstown and Smith’s Mill Roads in New Albany for $1.9 million.
Panda Express, famous for its signature orange chicken, has 12 locations in Central Ohio, including a new restaurant in Marysville that opened last year. Founders Andrew Cherng and Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng launched their first Panda Inn restaurant in 1973 in Pasadena, California. After successfully developing that full-service restaurant brand, they introduced the casual dining concept of Panda Express in 1983. Today, the chain has grown to over 2,400 locations, making it the largest Asian restaurant brand in the United States.
Panda Express continues to expand across the country, including upcoming sites in Charlotte, Houston, Jacksonville, and Dallas. The restaurant requires sites with options like freestanding or end-cap buildings, preferably with a drive-thru, especially in urban areas like Chicago or San Francisco. Locations should have high traffic near retail, offices, shopping centers, or entertainment. Freestanding spaces should be around 2,700 square feet with 52 seats and outdoor patio space on about 1 acre. End-caps need 2,400-2,600 SF with at least 30-35′ frontage and a 12′ ceiling height. The site should have around 40 parking spaces, visible signage, and easy access with multiple curb cuts.
