Lucas Delgado
Beyond the Original Orange Chicken is a plant-based version of Panda Express' iconic dish, The Original Orange Chicken. The vegan dish was first introduced in 2021 in Southern California and New York City and later expanded to 70 additional locations. In 2022, it was launched nationwide, but only for a limited time. After being discontinued, a petition was started to bring back the dish, and in 2023, Panda Express announced its return to the menus of hundreds of its locations across the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Beyond The Original Orange Chicken |
| Type | Plant-based, vegan |
| Availability | Available at 600+ Panda Express locations across the U.S. |
| Time | Available for a limited time only |
| Demand | #1 most requested dish on Panda's social channels |
| Petition | Received over 7,000 signatures |
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What You'll Learn
Beyond The Original Orange Chicken's availability at Panda Express
Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is a plant-based version of Panda Express' iconic The Original Orange Chicken. It was first introduced in 2021 through regional market tests in Southern California and New York City. The regional launch was a success, with the SoCal restaurants selling out in less than two weeks. This prompted its expansion to 70 additional locations.
In 2022, Panda Express launched Beyond The Original Orange Chicken nationwide across its 2,300 locations. The dish was co-developed with Beyond Meat to capture the crunchy texture and flavour of the traditional chicken dish while offering a plant-based option. Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer at Beyond Meat, expressed his excitement about the partnership and introducing innovative plant-based options that deliver the delicious taste of Panda Express' iconic menu items.
However, despite its initial popularity, Beyond The Original Orange Chicken was discontinued, leading to a petition on Change.org started by Alyssa Ridenour, who stated that she was addicted to the dish as a vegetarian. The petition gained over 7,000 signatures, and Panda Express responded by bringing back the dish in July 2024. The company stated that they were thrilled with the positive response and that the dish was the most requested on their social media channels.
As of July 2024, Beyond The Original Orange Chicken is available at select Panda Express locations in the United States. It is a limited-time offering, and consumers are encouraged to check the Panda Express website for participating stores. The availability of the dish at additional locations indicates that Panda Express is committed to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences and consumer demands.
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The dish's popularity and consumer demand
The popularity of Panda Express's Beyond the Original Orange Chicken can be attributed to several factors, including its unique flavour, texture, and consumer demand for plant-based options. The dish was created in partnership with Beyond Meat to replicate the crunchy texture and flavour of Panda Express's traditional signature Orange Chicken, which has been a menu staple since 1987.
The plant-based version, Beyond the Original Orange Chicken, was initially launched in select regions in 2021, including Southern California and New York City, where it quickly gained popularity. The trial phases saw the dish selling out in less than two weeks, leading to its expansion to 70 additional locations and a nationwide launch in 2022. The nationwide launch brought the dish to over 2,300 Panda Express locations, making it the first national Asian restaurant concept to serve Beyond Meat across the United States.
The popularity of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken can also be attributed to the growing consumer demand for plant-based options. The dish became the #1 most requested dish on Panda Express's social media channels, with a petition to bring back the dish receiving over 7,000 signatures. The success of the dish prompted Panda Express to bring it back to the menu multiple times, despite initially being launched as a limited-time offering. The company's spokesperson stated that the positive response and high demand for the dish showed their commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences.
The dish's popularity has also been driven by its ability to deliver the delicious taste and experience of Panda Express's iconic menu items in a plant-based option. The partnership between Panda Express and Beyond Meat has enabled consumers to enjoy their favourite dishes with the benefits of plant-based meat. The dish has been described as "irresistibly delicious" and has gained a loyal following, with fans expressing their enthusiasm and demand for its return on social media and through petitions.
Overall, the popularity of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken at Panda Express can be attributed to its unique flavour and texture, the growing consumer demand for plant-based options, and the successful partnership between Panda Express and Beyond Meat. The dish has become a fan-favorite, with its limited-time offerings and exclusive availability driving excitement and demand among consumers.
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Its status as a plant-based option
Beyond Original Orange Chicken is a plant-based alternative to Panda Express' signature dish, The Original Orange Chicken. The vegan dish was co-developed with Beyond Meat to replicate the crunchy texture and flavour of the traditional chicken dish.
The plant-based option was initially launched in 2021 in Southern California and New York City, where it sold out in less than two weeks. This successful trial phase prompted its expansion to 70 additional locations. In 2022, Panda Express also tested two other Beyond Meat dishes at its Pasadena, California location: Mapo Tofu with Beyond Beef and String Beans with Beyond Beef.
Following the success of the initial roll-out, Beyond Original Orange Chicken was launched nationwide in September 2022. The dish was available at over 2,300 locations across the United States, making Panda Express the first national Asian restaurant concept to serve Beyond Meat. Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer at Beyond Meat, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that it enables people to enjoy their favourite dishes with the "upsides of plant-based meat".
Despite the initial popularity of the dish, it was discontinued, leading to a petition on Change.org started by Alyssa Ridenour, who stated:
> "I am vegetarian, and I am addicted to this chicken. I have been craving it like crazy, and it is madness that they don’t have it on the menu anymore."
The petition received over 7,000 signatures, and Panda Express brought back Beyond Original Orange Chicken in July 2024. The dish is currently available at hundreds of participating locations nationwide, giving plant-based food enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy this innovative option once more.
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The history of its launch and discontinuation
Beyond the Original Orange Chicken at Panda Express is a plant-based version of the chain's iconic and tangy Orange Chicken, which was first introduced in 1987. The BTOOC was initially launched in 2021 through a regional market test in Southern California and New York City. The trial phase was a success, with the dish selling out in less than two weeks. This prompted its expansion to 70 additional locations.
In 2022, Panda Express expanded the BTOOC to its 2,300 locations nationwide for a limited time. Dariush Ajami, Chief Innovation Officer at Beyond Meat, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Panda Express, stating that it would enable people to enjoy their favorite dishes with the benefits of plant-based meat. The national launch of BTOOC was well-received, and it became the most requested dish on Panda's social media channels. A petition on Change.org demanding the return of BTOOC garnered over 7,000 signatures.
Despite the initial popularity of the BTOOC, Panda Express discontinued the vegan option. The discontinuation led to disappointment among fans, with a petition started by Alyssa Ridenour on Change.org gaining significant support. Panda Express acknowledged the petition and expressed their insights from the limited-time rollout, stating that it helped them understand the demand for innovative plant-based dishes.
Responding to consumer enthusiasm, Panda Express brought back the BTOOC to select locations in the United States in July 2024. The company stated that they were thrilled to give fans what they wanted and that the reintroduction demonstrated their commitment to menu innovation and providing plant-based alternatives. The BTOOC is currently available at hundreds of participating locations nationwide while supplies last.
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The future of Beyond Meat at Panda Express
Panda Express's commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences is evident in their decision to bring back Beyond the Original Orange Chicken. The dish was initially launched nationwide in September 2022 after successful regional trials in Southern California, New York City, and Pasadena, California, in 2021. The trial phases saw tremendous success, with the dish selling out in less than two weeks and expanding to additional locations.
The recent reintroduction of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken in July 2024 was also well-received, with Panda Express stating that they are thrilled to give the fans what they want. The dish is currently available at hundreds of participating locations nationwide, with the potential for further expansion if consumer enthusiasm continues. This aligns with Panda Express's strategy of offering limited-time seasonal offerings to excite guests about new menu varieties and exclusive flavors.
Looking forward, Panda Express and Beyond Meat can capitalize on the success of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken by exploring additional plant-based collaborations. Beyond Meat's ability to create plant-based proteins that replicate the taste and texture of meat provides a unique opportunity for Panda Express to cater to the growing demand for plant-based options. By partnering with Beyond Meat, Panda Express can develop innovative dishes that appeal to both traditional meat-eaters and those seeking plant-based alternatives.
Furthermore, Panda Express can leverage the popularity of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken to expand its plant-based offerings. The success of the dish has demonstrated that consumers are eager for plant-based options that deliver the taste and experience of iconic menu items. By continuing to collaborate with Beyond Meat and introducing new plant-based dishes, Panda Express can solidify its position as a leader in plant-based innovation within the Asian dining space. This could include expanding existing plant-based options like Eggplant Tofu, Mapo Tofu with Beyond Beef, and String Beans with Beyond Beef, as well as creating entirely new dishes that cater to a variety of dietary preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a plant-based version of Panda Express' iconic Original Orange Chicken.
It was created to meet the demand for a plant-based alternative to the Original Orange Chicken.
It was first introduced in 2021 with a regional launch in Southern California and New York City.
It became available nationwide on September 7, 2022, for a limited time.
Yes, it is available at select Panda Express locations in the United States while supplies last.
