The Empire Behind the Orange Chicken — Andrew Cherng & Peggy Tsiang Cherng

From Immigrant Students to Culinary Empire Builders

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Andrew and Peggy Cherng arrived in the United States as international students with modest ambitions. Andrew, originally from Yangzhou, China, and raised across Taiwan and Japan, came to the U.S. to study mathematics at Baker University in Kansas — a decision that would eventually lead to one of the most successful restaurant stories in American history. 

Peggy Tsiang, born in Burma (now Myanmar) and raised in Hong Kong, likewise pursued higher education in the U.S. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University, then completed a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at University of Missouri, specializing in pattern-recognition and computer modeling. 

Their meeting at Baker University sparked a partnership that extended beyond academics — and would change the fast-food landscape forever.

From Panda Inn to Panda Express — Reinventing Fast-Casual Dining

After graduate school, Andrew moved to Los Angeles to help his cousin run a modest Chinese restaurant. But in 1973, Andrew and his father seized an opportunity — with a small loan and family funds — to open their own sit-down Chinese restaurant, named Panda Inn, in Pasadena, California.

Peggy joined the business in the early 1980s, leaving behind her engineering career. With her technical background, she spearheaded the development of computer-based operational systems (point-of-sale, inventory, analytics) that were rare in the restaurant industry at the time — giving the Cherngs an edge in efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

In 1983, the couple opened the first fast-casual outpost, Panda Express, in the food court of the Glendale Galleria mall. The concept was revolutionary — offering freshly prepared Chinese-American dishes at fast-food speed.

What began as a single restaurant soon became a national phenomenon. Under their leadership, Panda Express grew into a sprawling empire, expanding across the United States and beyond.

The People Behind the Brand — More Than Just Founders

Andrew and Peggy Cherng are not just business partners — they are life partners. The two married in 1975, shortly after Peggy completed her doctoral studies.

The Cherngs have three daughters. Their children play meaningful roles in the business: two daughters serve at the corporate headquarters of Panda Restaurant Group, helping manage brand, marketing, and operations.

For the Cherngs, family has always meant more than personal legacy — it is the guiding principle of their business philosophy. From the early days of Panda Inn to today’s global footprint, they have emphasized respect, care, and opportunity for their employees. As Peggy once said: “We are not in the food business. We are in the people business.” 

Generations of Growth: The Financial Fruits of a Food Revolution

Over decades, the Cherngs’ disciplined growth strategy and commitment to quality turned a single Chinese restaurant into one of the largest fast-casual chains in the world. The parent company, Panda Restaurant Group, encompasses Panda Inn, Panda Express, and other ventures — and remains privately held by the family.

Reflecting their success: multiple sources in 2025 estimate the Cherngs’ combined net worth as high as US$7.2 billion, placing them among the wealthiest self-made couples in America’s restaurant industry.

Other recent estimates, including those tied to philanthropic disclosures and portfolio valuations, place their net worth in the range of US$3.6–4.0 billion, a testament to both their legacy and the private nature of their holdings. 

A Legacy of Giving — Building Beyond Restaurants

Andrew and Peggy Cherng have parlayed their wealth into substantial philanthropic efforts. Their charitable work through the Cherng Family Trust spans education, healthcare, and research. Notably:

• Their $30 million gift led to the renaming of a medical-engineering department at California Institute of Technology to the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering.

• They have donated tens of millions to support honors and hospitality colleges, hospitals, and medical research initiatives.

• In 2023, the couple committed US$100 million to City of Hope to enhance cancer care that integrates Eastern and Western medical techniques. 

Their philanthropy reflects a core belief: success isn’t just about growth and profits, but about uplifting communities, enabling education, and expanding opportunity.

Birthdays, Beginnings and Shared Vision

Andrew Cherng was born in April 1948 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

Peggy Tsiang Cherng was born in 1947 or 1948 in Mawlamyine, British Burma (now Myanmar), and raised in Hong Kong.

Though exact public records of their birthdays (day of month) are limited, their shared journey — from international students to entrepreneurial power couple — began long before they ever opened a restaurant. Their union is more than a love story: it’s the foundation of a business empire grounded in hard work, innovation, and family.

What Their Story Teaches About Ambition and Vision

The story of Andrew and Peggy Cherng is more than “rags to riches.” It is a narrative about vision, resilience, and transforming immigrant ambition into something that reshaped American dining.

They combined Andrew’s mathematical and culinary heritage with Peggy’s engineering discipline and technical savvy to build one of the most recognizable fast-casual brands globally. They resisted the lure of outside investors — building their empire on discipline, reinvestment, and tight operational control.

Their journey underscores a powerful business truth: success doesn’t have to come from flash or hype. It can come from consistency, humility, and unwavering commitment to quality — traits that continue to define the Cherng legacy.