Panda Express is set to open a location at the San Antonio International Airport by mid-next year. According to a recently filed permit, the new Panda Express will live at 9800 Airport Blvd TA-122, and construction is expected to be completed on the new eatery by May 2026.
The new eatery will be bought to the airport by Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues. What Now San Antonio spoke to HMSHost San Antonio construction director, Nick Bunch, who confirmed that plans to open the new Panda Express in SAT by mid-2026 are underway.
“The San Antonio airport is redeveloping a lot of tier food and beverage offerings and we’re excited to be bring Panda to the airport as part of that,” Bunch said.
This Summer, HMSHost awarded 14 new dining concepts to open eateries in Terminal A and B of the airport. In addition, Panda Express will open in Terminal A, Bunch said it should be before May of 2026 when the permit shows that construction should wrap up.
Panda Express originated from the Panda Inn, a sit-down restaurant opened in Pasadena, California, in 1973 by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and Andrew’s father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. The fast-food version, Panda Express, was launched in 1983 in the Glendale Galleria mall’s food court, inspired by the success of Panda Inn. Since then, Panda Express has opened more than 2,300 locations worldwide. There are currently 318 of the Chinese fast food chain operating in Texas and at least 13 in San Antonio.
Each location offering the same, if not similar, signature Panda Express dishes like the dining option’s world-famous orange chicken, fried rice, and mixed super greens. Many of the airports that currently have a Panda Express tend to offer a limited menu, Bunch could not confirm if this would be the case at the new SAT location. But you can expect the iconic Chinese food chain to offer many of its beloved dishes.
Panda Express at SAT at 9800 Airport Blvd TA-122 is expected to open by May 2026.
