Panda Restaurant Group: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Want to see what's on your own background check? Use Checkr to preview your own background check results.

Checkr is trusted by 140k+ businesses and 80 million individuals

Frequently asked questions

Panda Restaurant Group: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Panda Restaurant Group is the privately held parent company behind Panda Express, one of the largest and best-known Asian restaurant chains in the United States. Whether you're applying for an associate role at your local Panda Express or a position at the company's Rosemead headquarters, understanding what the background check process involves can help you prepare. Below, we cover Panda Restaurant Group's history and operations, and straightforward answers to the most-searched questions about the Panda Express background check and hiring process.

Run a personal background check

Order online

Are you an organization? Run candidate background checks here >

Panda Restaurant Group: Company overview

Panda Restaurant Group traces its origins to 1973, when Andrew Cherng and his father Ming-Tsai Cherng opened Panda Inn, a sit-down Chinese restaurant, in Pasadena, California. In 1983, Andrew Cherng and Peggy Cherng launched the first Panda Express at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, California, establishing the fast-casual format that would define the company. Panda Restaurant Group is headquartered in Rosemead, California, and remains privately held and family-operated - one of the largest family-owned restaurant companies in the United States.

The company's primary brand is Panda Express, which operates more than 2,200 locations across the United States and in several international markets. Unlike many national restaurant chains, the vast majority of Panda Express locations are company-owned rather than franchised, which means hiring practices and background check policies are more consistent across locations than at chains with large franchise networks. Panda Restaurant Group also operates Panda Inn, the original sit-down Chinese restaurant concept, and Hibachi-San, a Japanese grill concept.

Panda Restaurant Group employs more than 55,000 associates across its restaurant and corporate operations, making it one of the larger employers in the quick-service restaurant industry.

Company culture and employee programs:

Panda Restaurant Group positions itself as a people-first company with an emphasis on associate development and advancement from within. The company offers eligible associates benefits that can include health insurance, 401(k) plans with company match, paid time off, and an employee assistance program. Specific benefit offerings vary by role, hours worked, and location. Panda Restaurant Group also operates the Panda Cares charitable foundation, which focuses on community giving and disaster relief. The company has received recognition on various workplace lists, presented here as a data point rather than an endorsement.

Panda Express background check FAQs

Can Panda Express run background checks?

Yes. After extending a conditional offer of employment, Panda Restaurant Group can request a background report through a third-party Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). Written consent is obtained from candidates before initiating the report, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The specific scope of the check may vary depending on the role and the state where the position is located.

How long does a Panda Express background check take?

Most Panda Express background checks are completed within one to three business days, and in many cases faster. Because Panda Express primarily conducts criminal database searches rather than more complex checks such as education or employment verification, turnaround is generally quick. Factors that can extend the timeline include:

Criminal record searches requiring manual courthouse retrieval
High application volume during peak hiring periods
State-specific database response times

For a broader look at what affects timelines, see Checkr's guide to background check turnaround times.

What does the Panda Express background check include?

A Panda Express background check typically focuses on criminal history. A report may include:

Identity verification: SSN trace to confirm identity and establish name and address history.
Criminal history: National and county criminal record searches; sex-offender registry search; global watchlists screening.
Role-specific searches: Corporate, management, or positions involving financial responsibility may include employment verification or additional screenings beyond the standard criminal check.

Panda Express does not typically conduct credit checks or education verification for associate-level restaurant roles.

How far back does the Panda Express background check go?

Most Panda Express background checks cover the past seven years for criminal records, which aligns with limits established by the Fair Credit Reporting Act for many consumer reports. However, look-back periods can vary based on:

The state where the restaurant is located (some states have shorter look-back windows by law)
The salary level of the position (FCRA seven-year limits do not apply to roles above a certain income threshold)
Whether the position involves access to cash, financial accounts, or other sensitive responsibilities

Candidates should review state fair-chance and "ban-the-box" laws in their state, as these laws govern when an employer can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) establishes federal rules governing how employers use consumer reports, including background checks, in hiring decisions. Key protections include:

Written consent required: Employers must obtain written authorization from the candidate before ordering a background report.
Pre-adverse action notice: If Panda Restaurant Group intends to take adverse action - such as declining to hire - based in whole or in part on the background report, it must first provide the candidate with a copy of the report and a summary of their FCRA rights.
Waiting period: Candidates are entitled to a reasonable amount of time to review the report and dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information before a final adverse decision is made.
Adverse action notice: If the employer proceeds with the adverse decision, a formal adverse action notice must be sent explaining the basis for the decision and providing contact information for the CRA.
Dispute rights: Candidates can contact the CRA directly to dispute errors in their report, and the CRA is required to investigate.

EEOC guidance further recommends that employers conduct an individualized assessment when criminal history is a factor, considering the nature of the offense, its age, and its direct relevance to the duties of the role.

Order your own background check

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Panda Express may see before your application moves forward. Reviewing your own report helps you identify inaccuracies and gives you time to address any errors. A personal check can include:

Criminal history searches: SSN trace, sex-offender registry, global watchlists, national criminal database, and county or state court record searches.
Motor vehicle records: State DMV search confirming license status and driving history.

Start your report at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To proactively share verified information with recruiters or hiring managers, create a free Checkr Profile.

Are you a candidate with an open background check with Checkr?

Check your report status or get answers through the Candidate Portal, or visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and support contact options.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.