Andrew Cherng

Andrew Cherng – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the remarkable journey of Andrew Cherng, the Chinese-American entrepreneur behind Panda Express. Explore his early life, career milestones, business philosophy, famous quotes, and the lessons we can learn from his story.

Introduction

Andrew Cherng is a name synonymous with Panda Express, the fast-casual Chinese restaurant chain that has become a mainstay in malls and food courts across the America and beyond. Born in April 1948 in China, Cherng’s life story is one of migration, perseverance, entrepreneurial vision, and devotion to building both a successful business and a values-driven culture.

Today, he is celebrated not only for his business success and philanthropy but also as an exemplar for immigrant entrepreneurs and leaders who balance profitability with human values. This article dives deeply into the life and legacy of Andrew Cherng—his early years, career turning points, leadership style, and enduring lessons for readers today.

Early Life and Family

Andrew Cherng was born in April 1948, in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, in what was then the Republic of China.

The political upheavals of the time pushed many families to relocate. After the Chinese Civil War, Cherng’s family moved to Taiwan.

From a young age, Andrew experienced the challenges of displacement and adaptation. These formative experiences would shape his worldview, instilling resilience, humility, and a drive to build something meaningful.

Youth and Education

At age 18 (in 1966), Andrew Cherng immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education. Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1970.

Continuing his academic journey, he pursued a Master’s in Applied Mathematics at the University of Missouri, completing it in 1972.

During his undergraduate years, he met Peggy Tsiang, a fellow student (from Asia) who would later become his wife and business partner.

While studying, Andrew also worked various jobs—among them waiting tables—helping him gain direct experience in operations, customer interaction, and hard work.

This combination of strong analytical foundation and real-world experience provided a sound basis for his later business ventures.

Career and Achievements

The Birth of Panda Inn

After completing his master’s degree, Andrew moved to California. Panda Inn on June 8, 1973.

Panda Inn was a sit-down, full-service Chinese dining restaurant that offered a broad menu (not strictly Cantonese) to appeal to a wide customer base.

That early restaurant was far from glamorous in resources—Andrew and his family lived modestly in a two-bedroom apartment in San Gabriel, and all members of the family pitched in to support operations.

Launching Panda Express

A breakthrough came in 1983. A developer of the Glendale Galleria mall had eaten at Panda Inn and encouraged Andrew to open a fast-food version in a food court. Seizing the opportunity, Andrew (with Peggy) opened the first Panda Express in a mall’s food court in Glendale, California.

That model—fast, consistent Chinese-American dishes in mall settings—resonated. Within ten years, by 1993, the chain had reached 100 outlets, including one on the UCLA campus.

Andrew deliberately kept the company privately held. He resisted public offering or outside investors, arguing he valued independence and control.

Over decades, the Cherngs expanded Panda Restaurant Group, adding restaurant concepts (like Hibachi-San) and investing in food ventures like Just Salad, Pieology, Ippudo, and more.

Recognition and Influence

Under Andrew Cherng’s leadership, Panda Restaurant Group has earned many accolades. The company has been ranked among America’s best employers. Carnegie Corporation as a "Great Immigrant" honoree.

He also holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cal Poly Pomona, and serves on advisory boards in hospitality and higher education.

Financially, Andrew Cherng is among the world’s wealthiest individuals. As of 2025, his net worth estimates by Forbes exceed US$4 billion.

His influence extends beyond restaurants: through the Cherng Family Trust and Panda Cares, philanthropy is integral to the family’s mission.

Historical Milestones & Context

• 1973: First Panda Inn opens in Pasadena.

• 1983: Panda Express launches in Glendale Galleria.

• 1993: 100 Panda Express locations achieved.

• 2006: Andrew expressed openness to an IPO if valuation matched competitors, though remained private.

• 2018: Acquisition and rebranding of Las Vegas hotel into Waldorf Astoria.

• 2019 (Carnegie honor): Recognized as a Great Immigrant for contributions to U.S. society.

Throughout these periods, shifts in consumer habits (mall culture, fast casual dining), the rise of Asian-American entrepreneurship, and expansion into suburban and international markets shaped Cherng’s growth trajectory.

Legacy and Influence

Andrew Cherng’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Brand and Business Model
   Panda Express reimagined Chinese-American cuisine in a fast-casual format, making dishes like orange chicken household names. The model proved scalable, profitable, and influential in how Asian cuisine is marketed in the U.S.

2. Culture of People Development
   Cherng sees Panda not merely as a food business but as a platform for developing people. As he has said: “Panda – we’re not really selling Chinese food … Our real purpose is about developing people.”

3. Immigrant Entrepreneur Inspiration
   A child of migration and cross-cultural transitions, his success story inspires many who leave home in search of opportunity, combining humility and ambition.

4. Philanthropy & Community Impact
   Through Panda Cares and the Cherng Family Trust, the family has donated millions in health, education, and disaster relief. Their giving is aligned with their belief that business should serve communities.

5. Quiet Stewardship
   Despite his wealth and success, Cherng remains low-profile. He values long-term thinking, stability, and serving over spectacle.

Personality and Talents

Andrew Cherng’s strengths and character traits emerge clearly from his life and statements:

• Analytical & disciplined – Rooted in mathematics training, Cherng applies systematic thinking to operations and strategy.

• Grounded humility – His early years in modest apartments and shared labors with family kept him connected to the ground realities of business.

• People-centered – He emphasizes culture, leadership development, and loyalty over pure profit.

• Resilience & adaptability – From migrating multiple times to entering a new business model, he has pivoted and adapted to changing environments.

• Long-term vision – He purposefully avoided short-term pressures like public markets, prioritizing sustained growth and values alignment.

In his own words:

“Business is where you practice your human skills. It’s where you grow.” “When you have the right habits, okay, certain good things will come to you … that’s what life is about.”

These statements reflect his belief that business is not merely transactional—it’s personal, developmental, and character-building.

Famous Quotes of Andrew Cherng

Below is a curated selection of Andrew Cherng’s quotes, which reflect his worldview, work ethic, and guiding philosophy:

• “Success is not an accident. When you put yourself in the right place at the right time, then you’re likely to be more successful because of how you prepare yourself on a daily basis.”

• “Panda – we’re not really selling Chinese food … Our real purpose is about developing people.”

• “Business is where you practice your human skills. It’s where you grow.”

• “We opened Panda Inn on June 8, 1973. The whole family … all worked at the restaurant for free.”

• “This is our 40th year in business. We don’t have a single penny from outside investors, and we never borrowed heavily from the banks.”

• “When you are healthy mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually … you’re likely to do good things in life.”

• “My father was a chef but hadn’t owned his own business. I didn’t like that. In my heart of hearts, I knew I wanted to be in business.”

• “I became very attentive to customers because I was desperate not to have people leave and never come back.”

• “When you do life a certain way, it’s bound to give you a higher level of probability to succeed, and that’s what we preach.”

These quotes not only reveal his mindset—but also serve as touchstones for leadership, integrity, and growth.

Lessons from Andrew Cherng

From Andrew Cherng’s life and work, we can draw several valuable lessons:

1. Focus on people, not just products
   Cherng built culture and leadership into his organization, believing that the right people and attitudes are the foundation of sustainable success.

2. Stay private if you can
   He resisted outside funding and IPO pressures, choosing to preserve control and long-term flexibility.

3. Embrace humility and hard work
   Even as a billionaire, he regards his early challenges, family effort, and customer focus as central to his identity.

4. Invest over time
   Growth is incremental. Cherng’s expansion was steady, disciplined, and calibrated.

5. Let values guide decisions
   Philanthropy, integrity, and community underpinned many decisions, not just profit.

6. Be adaptive but consistent
   He evolved from sit-down restaurants to fast casual, diversified into new ventures, yet stayed consistent in mission.

7. Lead with purpose
   Believing business is more than transactions, Cherng underscores meaning, development, and legacy.

Conclusion

Andrew Cherng’s journey—from a displaced chef’s son to a billionaire restaurateur and philanthropist—is a powerful testament to vision, humility, and endurance. His life shows how deep values, rigorous discipline, and a people-first culture can transform a modest restaurant into a global brand.

If you wish to explore more of Cherng’s philosophy, read his full set of quotes, or reflect further on how his lessons apply in your own life or business, I’m happy to help dive deeper.