Name of business: Panda Express
Type of business: Fast-food restaurant
Specialty: Chinese food
Location: 199 West Canal Dr., Turlock
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with drive-thru open until 10:30 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday, with drive-thru open until 11 p.m.
The city of Turlock’s second Panda Express location is officially set to open next week with a special ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Panda Express at 199 W. Canal Dr. It will join the national chain’s location at 3180 Countryside Dr. as the only locations in Turlock. A significant feature that is not available at the crosstown restaurant is that the Canal location has a drive-through.
A traditional Panda Express menu will be available at the location, including orange chicken, honey walnut shrimp, broccoli beef and Firecracker Shrimp. As part of the ceremony, the first 88 guests in line will receive a free Panda Express branded t-shirt. Not only will those folks be the first to eat food at the new location, but they will be able to experience the chain’s newest interior concept.
According to a press release, the new location features an updated store design, known as Panda Home. The model incorporates design elements inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and traditions with modern motifs.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Turlock community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through fundraising opportunities,” said Bao Vue, Panda Express Area Coach of Operations. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.”
Access to the new restaurant will be from the existing driveway on Canal Drive, which only permits right turn entrances. Exits to the restaurant will be out the driveway leading to N. Golden State Blvd., which also only permits right turns. 14 new parking spaces were added to the lot adjacent to a Starbucks to join the coffee chain’s 12 existing onsite parking spaces. Onsite improvements included landscaping, paving, the existing parking spaces, parking striping, bicycle parking and the existing trash enclosure.
The City of Turlock Planning Commission voted on Sept. 29 to approve the construction of the new Panda Express. The project was also considered “Categorically Exempt” from the provisions California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section §15332, which is intended to promote infill development within urbanized areas.
