Panda Express is one of the fastest-growing and most successful restaurant chains in the United States. The Panda Restaurant Group (PRG) is a privately owned, 1,500-location "fast casual" Asian restaurant chain. This success story started in the early 1970s when Andrew Cherng and his chef father arrived as Chinese émigrés. After opening his first restaurant, Cherng worked seven days a week to make it a success. Today, Andrew Cherng and his wife Peggy hold the titles of co-chairman and co-CEO.

Cherng is a strong supporter of self-improvement programs that focus on the total person. He urges his employees to eat a well-rounded diet and get plenty of exercise. To be a manager at Panda, you have to be committed to being positive about continued learning. He is a devotee of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements.

Cherng sees the company's growth in personal terms. Reaching his goals means better service, better execution, and better environment. Each area requires a human touch. When Panda Express employees make a commitment to self-improvement, they often voice their plan in front of their colleagues at company-sponsored training classes. At one meeting, 71 Panda Express managers waited in line to make their public statement. All were wearing orange T-shirts that read "I'm feeling saucy".

 Closing Case Are You Feeling Saucy?

Andrew Cherng and his wife Peggy ask every employee to make a commitment to continuous learning. They believe this employee development philosophy improves every aspect of their business and also makes a tremendous contribution to society. Do you agree? Explain 

 

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

The concept of continuous learning and employee development as emphasized by Andrew Cherng at Panda Express can indeed have several positive impacts o... View the full answer