Panda Express coming to Warrenton

Published 5:25 am Friday, August 26, 2016

WARRENTON — Panda Express is coming to Warrenton.

The American Chinese food chain started construction this week on a new location at the corner of Discovery and Ensign lanes in the North Coast Retail Center, slated to open in December.

“We see tremendous potential in this region so we are very excited for the opportunity to offer additional jobs to residents and become ingrained in the community,” Thien Ho, a spokeswoman for Panda Express, said in a statement.

The company is the largest Asian-themed restaurant chain in the U.S., with more than 1,900 locations. Warrenton’s is the first coastal location north of the San Francisco metro area. The nearest locations to Warrenton are in Hillsboro, Cornelius and Longview, Washington.

Vince Ibarra, senior real estate analyst for Panda Express, said Warrenton had been on the company’s radar for about three years because of retail activity in the area and the proximity to Astoria and Seaside.

“Warrenton has definitely been a top target for us, but we will continue to look at all markets along the coast,” he said. “Each store opening gives us the opportunity to welcome 20 (to) 25 new associates from the local community into the Panda family, and we’re very optimistic about our growth prospects in the area.”