Beyond Orange Chicken is Coming Back to Panda Express (for a Limited Time) – One Green Planet

After significant public outcry and a petition gathering over 7,000 signatures, Panda Express has reintroduced its beloved Beyond Orange Chicken for a limited time. This move responds to the fervent requests of vegetarian and vegan customers who have long awaited its return.

Orange Chicken, a staple at Panda Express since 1987, constitutes a substantial portion of the chain’s sales. In 2021, Panda Express collaborated with Beyond Meat to create a plant-based version known officially as Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, which quickly gained popularity.

The initial launch in select New York City and Southern California locations saw immediate success, with over 1,300 pounds sold on the first day and a sell-out in Southern California within two weeks. Chef Jimmy Wang, Panda Express’s executive director of culinary innovation, hailed it as one of their most successful regional launches to date, highlighting the growing demand for diverse and plant-based options among guests.

Despite its initial success, Beyond Orange Chicken was originally intended as a limited-time offering and eventually phased out nationwide, much to the disappointment of its loyal customer base. This prompted a Change.org petition, garnering thousands of signatures by December 2023, demanding its return as the sole vegetarian entree in many locations.

Responding to consumer enthusiasm, Panda Express is relaunching Beyond Orange Chicken across hundreds of participating locations nationwide starting July 3rd. While still a limited-time item, its return signifies Panda Express’s commitment to meeting customer preferences and expanding its plant-based offerings.

The decision comes amidst shifts in the fast-food landscape where other brands have reconsidered their partnerships with Beyond Meat due to varying market demands. However, Panda Express’s decision reflects a positive reception and underscores the growing popularity of meat alternatives in the food industry.

Related Content:

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!