How Much Is a Panda Express Franchise? (Detailed Franchise Costs)

Panda Express Franchise Costs: Estimated Initial Investment (Item 7, 2026 FDD)

• The initial investment table shows certain expenditures required to open a single Panda Express Restaurant. Note that these amounts vary widely.

• The figures provided apply to all types of Panda Express Restaurants and venues. Costs depend on whether or not a building is new construction or an existing restaurant, as well as the condition of the property, the geographical location, and how big it is.

• Amounts paid to Panda Express are non-refundable unless otherwise noted. Amounts paid to suppliers/vendors are refunded according to arrangements you make with the vendor, if any.

• These figures are estimates of the range of some of your initial costs in developing a single Restaurant and in the first three months operating that location. Your actual initial costs may be more or less.

• If you acquire an operating Panda Express Restaurant from Panda Express, Inc. (PEI), the price you pay for its assets and other terms of acquisition will be negotiated between you and PEI and is not reflected in the chart below.

1.  Initial License Fee:  $25,000

• This fee is non-refundable.

2.  Lease of Premises (Initial 3 Months’ Rent):  $10,000 to $425,000

• The rent estimates contemplate three months’ rent, and the range is based on various Panda Express Restaurant venues throughout the country.

• Rent expense varies, and the low-high range given is based on location, square footage, age and condition of the structure, lease arrangements, and other factors and could differ materially from area to area. In particular, rent in airports may be significantly higher than in other venues, and this accounts for the high end given in the chart.

• The typical Panda Express Restaurant in a captive venue will be approximately 500 to 1,500 square feet, although a few Panda Express Restaurants occupy approximately 3,000 square feet.

• Other charges may include Common Area Maintenance charges (“CAM”), utilities, taxes, and insurance, as imposed by the facility. Leases frequently specify minimum rent and percentage rent (typically 10%) applicable above a threshold sales volume.

• In a food court, CAM typically amounts to 35% to 50% of minimum rent. A pro-rated charge for taxes, insurance, and utilities also applies.

3.  Leasehold Improvements:  $100,000 to $1,500,000

• You must follow Panda Express’s design standards and construction process and have its approval to open. The cost of construction and leasehold improvements depends upon the size, condition, and location of your Restaurant and the local cost of labor.

• The range of figures stated for a Panda Express Restaurant is the cost of reasonable renovation or leasehold improvements and may be less if the lessor provides a construction allowance to lessee.

• Included in the estimate are construction charge backs for landlord provided work.

• Fixtures include counters, tables, chairs, wall coverings, decorations, and other fixtures. The cost of fixtures will vary depending on the seating capacity of your Restaurant, lease or finance terms available to you, the layout of your Restaurant, and other relevant factors.

• The high estimate contemplates leasehold improvements for approximately 2,500 square feet and includes an elaborate exhaust system, as is sometimes required by the lessor.

4.  Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment, and Supplies:  $120,000 to $650,000

• The equipment necessary for the operation of a Panda Express Restaurant includes grills, refrigerators, induction table, and other equipment. You will purchase or lease approved brands and models from approved, third party suppliers and, in limited circumstances, from Panda Express.

• The cost of the equipment, and the low-high range given, depends on financing terms available, the size of the Restaurant, brands purchased, and other factors.

5.  Initial Inventory:  $11,000 to $18,000

• Your initial inventory will be purchased by you from designated or approved third party product suppliers and, in limited circumstances, from Panda Express. Initial inventory includes various food products, certain proprietary spice mixes, seasonings, flavorings, menu items, sauces and marinades, beverages, paper products, cleaning supplies, and miscellaneous items used in the operation of your Restaurant.

• The initial inventory expenditure will vary, and the low-high range given was factored according to varying anticipated sales volume and current market prices for supplies.

6.  Computer Hardware and Software:  $16,500 to $27,000

• The cost of the computer equipment and software, including point of sale systems, needed to operate a Panda Express Restaurant varies, and the low-high range given is based on the manufacturer, the operating features, whether the equipment is already owned by you, whether the equipment is new or used, and whether you purchase or lease the equipment.

• This also includes the prepaid cost for the first year of required maintenance.

• Panda Express estimates that it will cost $14,000 to $21,000 to purchase the computer hardware with an additional $2,000 to $4,000 for subscription fees and then additional $500 to $2,000 per year for maintenance fees.

7.  Non-resettable Cash Register(s):  $6,000 to $8,000

8.  Insurance (Annual Premium):  $94,500 to $157,500

• You must maintain in force at all times policies of insurance covering various risks and issued by carriers Panda Express approves. Policies must name Panda Express and its affiliates as additional insured for Liability policies and meet other coverage criteria as specified by it in the Manual or otherwise. Panda Express specifies the types and amounts of coverage required under these policies and may require different or additional insurance coverages at any time to reflect industry trends, inflation, identification of new risks, changes in law or standards of liability, higher damage awards, or other relevant changes in circumstances.

• Each such policy shall be underwritten by insurers rated “A” or better, with minimum financial rating of VII, by A.M. Best Company.

9.  Expenses Incurred During Initial Training:  $13,000 to $29,000

• The Initial License Fee covers an initial training program per Restaurant. All costs related to training for you and any of your personnel attending the initial training program, including any travel, living, incidental, and other expenses, are your sole responsibility. The amount expended will depend, in part, on the distance you must travel and whether lodging is required.

• Panda Express can also charge a fee for training of additional and/or subsequent personnel.

10.  Architectural and Design Fees:  $35,000 to $120,000

11.  Construction Supervision:  $20,000 to $150,000

12.  Sales Tax Deposits:  $4,500 to $10,000

13.  Telephone, Fax, and Other Communication Related Fees:  $500 to $1,000

14.  Licenses and Permits:  $1,500 to $60,000

• You are solely responsible for identifying and complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

15.  Payroll and Related Taxes:  $39,000 to $65,000

• This category is an estimate amount for a month. The amounts may vary depending on how much you pay to your employees, the required staffing, and the sales amounts.

16.  Additional Funds (3 Months):  $18,000 to $30,000

• Additional Funds is an estimate of the funds needed to cover certain business expenses during the first 3 months of operation of your Restaurant (excluding payroll and related taxes covered in a separate line item).

• You will need capital to support ongoing costs of your business, such as additional inventory, supplies, recruitment and training costs, uniforms, donations, and discounts.

• You also need to hire some outside services, such as companies offering security, safety, maintenance, quality control/evaluation, surveys, marketing, laundry, and professional services.

• This is only an estimate. You may need additional funds during the three months of initial operation, and you will have ongoing expenses and revenue needs after the first three months.

17.  Total:  $514,500 to $3,275,500

• Panda Express has implemented a pilot program on a limited basis under which a licensee’s Restaurant may be free standing, developed with a drive-thru feature, and have a larger footprint (estimated to be approximately 2,600 square feet) than a typical licensed captive venue location.

• Panda Express estimates that the total initial investment expenses noted above for such a drive-thru location will increase by up to $1,500,000, due in part to greater construction and site development costs; as well as increased furniture, fixtures, signage, and equipment costs.

• In preparing the figures in this Item, Panda Express relied on its affiliates’ over 27 years of experience in the restaurant business.

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