How Did I Get Here?

Peggy Cherng

Co-chair and co-chief executive officer, Panda Restaurant Group
from
  • Education
  • Clementi Middle School, Hong Kong, class of 1966
  • Oregon State University, Corvallis, class of 1970
  • University of Missouri, Columbia, classes of 1971 and 1974
  • Work Experience
  • 1975–77
    Engineering specialist, McDonnell Douglas
  • 1977–82
    Technical engineer, software department manager, Comtal-3M
  • 1982–96
    Operations manager, Panda Restaurant Group
  • 1997–2003
    President, CEO, Panda Restaurant Group
  • 2004–Present
    Co-chair and co-CEO, Panda Restaurant Group
  • Life Lessons
  • “It’s important to establish a development program so people can grow into the position they aspire to.”
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  • “Focus on promotions from within.”
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  • “A company is built on people first, guests second, and financials third.”
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  • “I got a master’s in math and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. I specialized in computer simulation.”
  • In grad school, 1973
  • “We built a system to simulate a battlefield for the Air Force. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I had to stay until 4 a.m. to get the design done.”
  • “It’s challenging to work with your spouse. You need to compromise. But it’s gotten easier. Now we realize each other’s strengths.”
  • With her husband in an engagement photo, 1975
  • “My oldest daughter is chief marketing officer, my second daughter manages investments for the Cherng Family Trust, and my youngest works with the Panda Charitable Foundation.”
  • “The biggest shock was food. I had never had pizza or Mexican.”
  • “I had three children and wanted to spend time at home. My husband is the founder; I was running day-to-day operations.”
    With her daughters, 1989
  • “In the ’90s, Panda Express expanded from malls to street locations. That helped us grow rapidly. We opened Hibachi-San in 1992 to capture the market potential for Japanese food.”
  • With her husband, Andrew (left), and then-CEO Tom Davin, 2008
  • “We have more than 1,900 restaurants and are moving into India, Dubai, Korea, and Guam.”