Jake Harper
Panda Express' decision to stop selling Beyond Orange Chicken sparked disappointment among consumers, with a petition launched to reinstate the vegan dish. Introduced in 2021, Beyond the Original Orange Chicken (BTOOC) was developed in partnership with Beyond Meat to mimic the flavor and texture of the restaurant chain's signature dish. Despite its initial popularity, Panda Express discontinued BTOOC, citing it as a limited-time offering. However, consumer demand and petitions have led to its temporary return in 2024, indicating the company's responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences and customer enthusiasm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for discontinuation | Beyond Orange Chicken was a limited-time item |
| Consumer response | Positive, with high demand and a petition to bring it back |
| Company response | Gained insights for future menu innovations, did not confirm if it will return |
| Current availability | Reintroduced in July 2024 due to consumer demand |
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What You'll Learn
Beyond Orange Chicken was a limited-time item
Beyond Orange Chicken was initially introduced to limited markets, primarily in New York City and Southern California, in 2021. The product was developed in partnership with Beyond Meat and designed to replicate the crunchy texture and flavor of Panda Express's traditional Orange Chicken. The test phase saw the dish selling out in less than two weeks, prompting its expansion to 70 additional locations.
The success of the regional launch led to a national rollout in 2022, with the plant-based dish becoming available at all 2,300 Panda Express locations. However, despite its popularity, Beyond Orange Chicken was always intended to be a limited-time offering. As part of its menu innovation strategy, Panda Express introduces different seasonal limited-time offerings to excite customers about new menu varieties and exclusive flavors.
The company gained valuable insights from the launch of Beyond Orange Chicken, learning about the strong demand for innovative plant-based dishes. A spokesperson for Panda Express emphasized that all items are cooked and prepared in shared facilities, which may not align with the dietary restrictions of strict vegetarians and vegans. This led to some controversy, as vegans and vegetarians expressed their disappointment over the discontinuation of one of the few plant-based options available.
While Panda Express has not confirmed whether Beyond Orange Chicken will return permanently, the company has brought it back for limited periods due to substantial consumer demand. The dish's initial discontinuation and subsequent returns have sparked petitions and social media campaigns, with consumers urging Panda Express to offer the plant-based option permanently.
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It was the only vegan/vegetarian entrée option
Beyond the Original Orange Chicken (BTOOC) was a vegan dish offered by Panda Express in collaboration with Beyond Meat. It was a plant-based version of the restaurant's most popular dish, designed to replicate the crunchy texture and flavour of the traditional orange chicken. The BTOOC was initially launched in limited markets, primarily in New York City and Southern California, in 2021. It quickly became a customer favourite, reflected in impressive sales figures. This successful test launch informed the expansion of BTOOC to Panda Express's 2,300 locations in 2022, showcasing the company's commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences.
However, despite its popularity, Panda Express discontinued the BTOOC, citing that it was always intended to be a limited-time offering. This decision sparked disappointment among vegan and vegetarian customers, who found it to be the only entrée option that aligned with their dietary choices. A petition was started on Change.org 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 gained significant traction, crossing 5,000 signatures and reflecting continued consumer desire for the dish's return.
Panda Express acknowledged the positive response to the BTOOC and expressed their commitment to gaining insights into guest demand for future menu innovations, including plant-based options. The company emphasised that all items are cooked and prepared in shared facilities, which may not meet the strict dietary restrictions of vegans and vegetarians.
In July 2024, Panda Express announced the return of BTOOC to its menus across the United States, responding to substantial consumer demand. The reintroduction of the dish was influenced by a Change.org petition that garnered over 7,000 signatures and public urging from social media influencer @dudewithsign, who has around 8 million followers. Panda Express stated that the dish would be available at hundreds of participating locations nationwide, aligning with National Orange Chicken Day on July 15.
While the BTOOC has made a comeback, it is important to note that it is still offered as a limited-time item. Vegans and vegetarians continue to advocate for its permanent inclusion on the menu, recognising the growing market for plant-based options.
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Panda Express gained insights from its introduction
Panda Express's introduction of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken (BTOOC) offered valuable insights into consumer behaviour and market demands. The launch of this plant-based dish, in collaboration with Beyond Meat, was initially a regional test in 2021, with a limited-time national rollout in 2022.
The test phase provided Panda Express with a clear indication of consumer appetite for plant-based options. The BTOOC quickly became a customer favourite, reflected in impressive sales figures and positive feedback. This success prompted Panda Express to expand the offering to all 2,300 locations, demonstrating their responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences.
Through this introduction, Panda Express gained a deeper understanding of their customers' desires for innovative, plant-based dishes. They also learned about the operational considerations of offering plant-based options, including the importance of separate cooking facilities and equipment to cater to strict vegetarians and vegans.
The popularity of BTOOC also highlighted the influence of social media and influencers on consumer behaviour. The dish became the most requested item on Panda Express's social media channels, and a Change.org petition garnered over 7,000 signatures. This online enthusiasm contributed to heightened demand and played a role in the dish's reintroduction in July 2024.
Panda Express's insights from this experience underscored the importance of staying attuned to consumer trends and preferences. By listening to their customers and adapting their menu, Panda Express reinforced its commitment to innovation and responsiveness, positioning itself to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its diverse customer base.
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A Change.org petition to bring it back received over 7,000 signatures
The decision by Panda Express to discontinue Beyond Orange Chicken sparked a Change.org petition that garnered over 7,000 signatures. The petition, started by Alyssa Ridenour, a self-proclaimed vegetarian, demanded the return of the plant-based dish to the menu.
The petition highlighted the dish's popularity and the disappointment of consumers who could no longer enjoy a full meal at Panda Express due to the lack of vegan and vegetarian options. The comments on the petition page reflected the outrage of consumers, with one commenter stating that they had frequently enjoyed the dish with their vegan family.
The petition also argued that the growing vegan and vegetarian market presented a significant business opportunity for Panda Express, and that the company should not alienate this customer base by discontinuing one of its most successful regional launches.
The petition gained traction on social media, with Instagram influencer @dudewithsign, an account with around 8 million followers, publicly urging Panda Express and Beyond Meat to bring back the dish. This contributed to heightened public demand and further fuelled the petition's success.
While Panda Express did not initially confirm the return of Beyond Orange Chicken, they acknowledged the positive response and the demand for plant-based options. They emphasised their commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences.
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It was brought back in July 2024 due to consumer demand
In July 2024, Panda Express brought back Beyond the Original Orange Chicken due to substantial consumer demand. The plant-based dish, created in collaboration with Beyond Meat, was initially launched in September 2022 after successful trials in Southern California and New York City in 2021. The test phases witnessed the dish selling out in under two weeks, leading to its expansion to 70 additional locations.
The popularity of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken was evident, with it being the most requested dish on Panda Express' social media channels and the subject of a Change.org petition that garnered over 7,000 signatures. The public demand was further heightened by social media influencer @dudewithsign, an Instagram account with around 8 million followers, who urged Panda Express and Beyond Meat to bring back the dish.
The spokesperson for Panda Express acknowledged the positive response, stating that they were thrilled with the guest excitement around the product and that it was one of their most successful regional launches to date. The dish was always intended to be a limited-time offering, but consumer enthusiasm and demand prompted Panda Express to bring it back.
The reintroduction of Beyond the Original Orange Chicken aligns with the company's commitment to innovation and responsiveness to evolving dietary preferences. It also provides an opportunity for plant-based food enthusiasts to enjoy the dish once more, including vegetarians and vegans who previously had limited options at Panda Express.
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Frequently asked questions
Panda Express stopped selling Beyond Orange Chicken because it was a limited-time item.
Yes, Beyond Orange Chicken was a popular dish. It was the most requested dish on Panda Express's social media channels and a Change.org petition to bring it back received over 7,000 signatures.
Yes, Panda Express brought back Beyond Orange Chicken in July 2024 due to substantial consumer demand. However, it is unclear if it is a permanent fixture on the menu.
Panda Express launched Beyond Orange Chicken to cater to evolving dietary preferences and offer an innovative plant-based dish.
Panda Express has limited vegan options. Other vegan dishes include chow mein, vegetable spring rolls, super greens, and steamed white rice.
