Panda Express coming to PH thanks to Jollibee partnership; Netizens go crazy over the news

Panda Express’ Orange Chicken. Photo: Panda Express/FB
Panda Express’ Orange Chicken. Photo: Panda Express/FB

Here’s some good news for the orange chicken-obsessed. United States chain Panda Express will finally be coming to the Philippines, all thanks to a partnership with another fast-food icon — Jollibee.

The news broke earlier today when The Philippine Daily Inquirer tweeted a photo of a Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) document detailing that Jollibee Foods Corporation’s (JFC) and Panda Express Restaurant Group have announced a 50/50 joint venture to bring the chain to the country.

The document can also be seen on the PSE website.

Despite the industry jargon and its lack of mouth-watering visuals, the tweet instantly went viral with Filipino foodies.

All Twitter user @krcjimenez could say was “homaygad.”

@byebyegab said he’s been waiting for this moment for forever.

“[T]he day I’ve been waiting for has finally come…PANDA EXPRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!!”

https://twitter.com/byebyegab/status/1045144920925790208

@itsSugarDc even cried a little bit. Just look at her emojis.

https://twitter.com/itsSugarDc/status/1045150594002907136

This netizen apparently couldn’t thank Jollibee enough. “Jollibee doing gods work,” @majijoyBTS said.

READ: Yet another US chain restaurant coming to PH: Red Lobster

Panda Express is a California-based fast-casual chain that serves American-style Chinese food. It is just the latest in a number of U.S. restaurants that have announced openings in the Philippines, following Shake Shack and Red Lobster.

U.S. chains are usually very popular in the Philippines. Apart from Filipinos’ love for American culture, many probably also tried them while visiting family in the states.

READ: IT’S OFFICIAL: Shake Shack coming to Philippines

Aside from the U.S., Panda Express is also found in Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

This isn’t Jollibee’s first venture into Chinese food either; JFC also owns the local Chinese fast-food chain Chowking.

According to ABS-CBN News, an initial 5 outlets will be opened in Manila, but no word yet on when it will launch.

So what exactly can people look forward to? While an official Philippine menu has not been released, it’s a safe bet that its crowd-favorites will be offered.

This includes sweet and savory dishes like the Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Beijing Beef:

A Panda Express plate with Honey Walnut Shrimp, Wok-Seared Steak, and fried rice. (Photo: Panda Express Facebook page)
A Panda Express plate with Honey Walnut Shrimp, Wok-Seared Steak, and fried rice. Photo: Panda Express/FB

Serious stomach-fillers like fried rice and chow mein:

Chow Mein in a Panda Express to-go box. (Photo: Panda Express Facebook page)
Chow Mein in a Panda Express to-go box. Photo: Panda Express/FB

And appetizers like chicken pot stickers (AKA gyoza) and their Cream Cheese Rangoon, wonton wrappers filled with cream cheese:

Cream Cheese Rangoon with a side of sweet and sour sauce. (Photo: Panda Express Facebook page)
Cream Cheese Rangoon with a side of sweet and sour sauce. Photo: Panda Express/FB

Which dish are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.



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