Panda picks Hawaii
to launch new chain

The Chinese-restaurant
operator opens its first Cajun
outlet tomorrow

Star-Bulletin staff

The national operator of Panda Express restaurants is teaming with a Florida company to open a chain of Cajun restaurants, with the first planned for Ala Moana Center.

Panda Management Co. and EATertainment International are scheduled to open the first Orleans Express tomorrow.

A Panda Management spokeswoman said Ala Moana was chosen because the mall has the largest sales volume in the country and the Panda Express outlet there is very successful.

Pasadena, Calif.-based Panda Management, which operates more than 260 Panda Express restaurants, will provide the operational expertise for the new chain while EATertainment, also a restaurant operator, will focus on the food, the companies said.

The menu will feature such dishes as jambalaya, honey bronzed chicken and cajun-blackened fish.

The Panda Management spokeswoman couldn't say this morning how large the restaurant would be or how many people it will employ. But it will operate like a Panda Express outlet, with customers choosing from already-prepared items.