Panda Express: New Location has arrived in Hillsboro, TX

Panda Express is far from a small restaurant chain; it’s the largest Asian restaurant chain in the U.S. and one of the most recognizable American-Chinese brands in the world. Founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng in 1983, the family-owned company has been serving guests for more than 40 years and has grown to over 2,600 locations worldwide. Known for favorites like its Original Orange Chicken, Panda Express has played a major role in popularizing American-Chinese cuisine across the country and now serves millions of guests across the U.S. and internationally.

If you’re a Panda Express fan, there’s officially a new spot to add to your list! Panda Express recently opened a brand-new location in Hillsboro, TX, bringing its famous American-Chinese favorites to the community along with a grand-opening celebration full of surprises.

We got the chance to experience the opening firsthand, and this wasn’t a typical restaurant opening. From the ribbon-cutting ceremony, special gifts for the first 88 guests, and a $1,000 donation benefiting the local community, Panda Express made sure Hillsboro received a warm welcome.

And, of course, we couldn’t leave without grabbing some of our favorite dishes.

A grand opening full of surprises

Panda Express knows how to celebrate a new location, and Hillsboro was no exception.

The opening included an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with a special statue unveiling, a tradition that makes each Panda Express grand opening feel a little more memorable.

Some of the first guests even received panda ears to wear during the celebration, but the biggest surprise was reserved for the first 88 guests.

As part of Panda Express’ tradition of surprising and delighting guests during select grand openings, these lucky visitors received mystery gifts, including an exclusive Panda plush and keychain.

Between the gifts, the crowd, and all the excitement surrounding the opening, it felt more like a community celebration than simply the opening of another restaurant.

Giving back to Hillsboro

One of our favorite parts of the grand opening was seeing Panda Express give back to its new community.

To celebrate its arrival in Hillsboro, Panda Express donated $1,000 to a local food bank, adding a meaningful community element to the celebration.

It was a great reminder that this opening wasn’t only about introducing a new restaurant, but also about becoming part of the Hillsboro community.

What we tried

Obviously, a Panda Express opening wouldn’t be complete without loading up a plate with some classics.

We tried the Kung Pao Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, and Cream Cheese Rangoons, and everything came out fresh and quickly despite the excitement and number of guests at the opening.

But the item we were most excited to try was the Hot Orange Chicken. If you already love Panda Express’ iconic Original Orange Chicken, think of this as its spicier cousin. It takes that familiar sweet and savory Orange Chicken flavor and adds chilis for an extra kick.

And if spice isn’t your thing, you can always stick with classics like Kung Pao Chicken or Beef & Broccoli and pair them with Chow Mein or Fried Rice.

By now, you probably know their menu pretty well, but if this is your first time, here’s a guide to “How to Panda.”

Fast, fresh, and perfect for an easy meal

Even with the grand-opening crowd, one thing that stood out to us was how quickly everything moved. That convenience is one of the reasons Panda Express has become such an easy go-to, whether you’re grabbing lunch, picking something up for dinner, or feeding the entire family.

The Hillsboro location offers the Panda Express menu you already know, with bowls, plates, Bigger Plates, family meals, appetizers, and catering options available. (Panda Express)

Why you should check out the new Hillsboro location

Panda Express may already be a familiar name, but there’s something fun about getting to experience a completely new location right as it becomes part of the community.

The Hillsboro grand opening brought together everything we love seeing at a new restaurant opening: excited guests, fresh food, special surprises, and a business making an effort to give back to the area it’s joining.

Whether you’re stopping by specifically to try the Hot Orange Chicken or you already know exactly what your Panda Express order is, this new Hillsboro location is officially one more convenient spot to satisfy those cravings.

Find them at:

📍 226 I-35 Service Rd, Hillsboro, TX 76645

Panda Express lists this location at I-35 & Old Brandon Rd, with dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering options available. (Panda Express)

If you’re in Hillsboro, stop by and welcome the newest Panda Express to the neighborhood and to your DFW Checklist!