ROSEMEAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panda Restaurant Group Inc., parent company of Panda Express, the nation’s leader in Asian dining experiences, announces a fundraising campaign to assist with disaster relief in Japan. Following the massive, magnitude 9.0 earthquake and 32-foot tsunami that left thousands dead and injured and caused extreme damage to coastal areas and communities. Panda Restaurant Group has committed to raising funds through in-store and corporate associate donations to help provide resources to those in need during this devastating time.
Through the end of March, more than 1,300 participating Panda Express locations across the country will facilitate donation collections through in-store drop-boxes allowing guests to make contributions of any amount. As part of the Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. family of restaurants, donations will also be accepted at participating Panda Inn and Hibachi-San restaurants. All guest-donated proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross. Additionally, the company’s 18,000 associates nationwide have committed to personal donations. The corporate-generated proceeds will be donated to the compassion relief organization, Tzu Chi Foundation, which is currently providing two hot meals per day in Oarai Town to the thousands of displaced people living in shelters. Panda Restaurant Group Inc. will match 100 percent of the proceeds collected at Panda Express, Panda Inn, Hibachi-San locations and by associates nationwide.
“Giving is a core value at Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. and we are deeply committed to working together to support relief efforts in Japan,” said Peggy Cherng, co-chairman of Panda Restaurant Group. Inc. “Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy. We are grateful to have the ability and resources to host this nationwide fundraising effort, and to do our part to help those in need.”
About Panda Restaurant Group
Founded in 1973, with close to 1,400 locations in 38 states, the privately-held Panda Restaurant Group is the world's leader in Asian dining experiences. The successful chain of concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Panda Express is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including their famous Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef and SweetFire Chicken Breast. For more information visit www.pandaexpress.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
About the Red Cross
The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Panda first partnered with the Red Cross in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and again in 2008 following the Sichuan Earthquake in China. For more information about this organization, please go to www.redcross.org.
About the Tzu Chi Foundation
A Buddhist compassion relief organization dedicated to helping all people and is currently on the ground in Haiti. All of the proceeds provided to this foundation are donated to the recipients, and no overhead costs are kept by this foundation. Panda Express first partnered with the Tzu Chi Foundation in 2005 to help rebuild homes in Indonesia after the Asian Tsunami and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008 Panda Express and Tzu Chi partnered to provide aid for the China Earthquake relief efforts. For more information about this organization, please visit www.tzuchi.org.