Logo panda express, with their irresistible charm, are not just a delight to the eyes, but also serve as symbols of tranquility and good fortune. It comes as no surprise that various corporations have chosen to incorporate these beloved creatures into their logos. ????
WWF
The Word Wildlife Fun chose their logo to be a panda because it is a strong symbol, with great meaning, that is translatable in any language.
This is probably one of the most recognizable panda logos – or even just logo – ever.
The inspiration came from a giant panda called Chi-Chi, which at the time when the WWF was founded (1961), was living at the London Zoo.
PANDA
The clothing brand ‘Panda’ clearly made a clever choice in selecting the panda as part of their brand identity, a decision rooted in the name of their business itself. While the panda’s depiction in their brand insignia may not be a picture-perfect representation, it nonetheless unambiguously captures the essence of the distinctive creature!
ProPanda
ProPanda, a powerhouse of creativity, manages the whole spectrum from idea inception to fruition. Their choice of a panda for their emblem might seem odd at first, as pandas are perceived as cuddly beings. Yet, beneath this adorable exterior, pandas are notably formidable creatures. This could symbolize ProPanda’s relentless pursuit and resilience, mirroring their determination to achieve and succeed.
Panda Express
As the logo of Panda Express suggests, this restaurant delights its customers with an amalgamation of both Chinese and American culinary favorites. Offering dishes that are not just delectable, but also freshly prepared in record time, Panda Express guarantees a satisfying dining experience. From sunrise to sunset, their expansive menu caters to all, serving a rich selection for breakfast, lunch, and dinner alike.
| Founded | October 1983 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Andrew Cherng, Peggy Cherng |
| Headquarters | Rosemead, California, U.S. |
| Website | pandaexpress.com |
In 2017, Panda Express, the acclaimed fast-food chain, marked the significant milestone of inaugurating its 2,000th outlet. Since then, they have continued to expand their footprint, adding another two hundred locations to their list, providing a haven for patrons with a fondness for the perfect blend of crunch and sweet-spicy delights. Their menu harmoniously unites Chinese and American culinary traditions. The most renowned dish is the Orange Chicken, introduced in 1987, only four years after the brand’s inception. A decade later, in 2008, they added the beloved Beijing Beef – a tantalizing mix of beef, onions, and bell peppers, to their menu. Recognizing the trend towards healthier dining, they introduced a line of low-calorie dishes in 2009. And, in 2010, the menu was further diversified with the addition of Honey Walnut Shrimp. Today, this authentic fast food experience is relished in more than ten countries around the globe, reaching as far as the UAE, South Korea, and Canada.
Meaning and History
Together with Panda Inn, the Panda Express brand is owned by the large Panda Restaurant Group. The history of the family business began in 1973 when chef Ming-Tsai Cherng and his son Andrew opened their first Szechuan restaurant. Later they were joined by Peggy Cherng, Andrew’s wife. To attract customers, they had to run many promotions and give away food for free.
The Panda Inn brand was in danger of going bankrupt, but it had a fast-food version – Panda Express. This happened in 1983 after the manager of Glendale Galleria suggested that restaurant owners open a fast food outlet in the mall. We can say they were lucky because they would not have succeeded without connections with Terrence Michael Donahue’s football coach.
Since then, the network has been actively expanding. Its branches operate not only on city streets but also at airports, university campuses, stadiums, and military bases. That is, the Panda Express logo, which at the same time serves as an advertising sign, is familiar to millions of people. It looks very stylish because restaurant owners have considered the brand’s visual identity as important as a thoughtful menu.
Designers have created the most suitable symbol for catering establishments – the image of a panda. This is a logical choice, in line with the company’s vision and underlining its connection with Chinese culture. The Panda Express trademark was once tried to be stolen by scammers. They opened a restaurant with the same name to pass it off as a chain branch and used the original logo without permission. After an investigation, the illegal point was closed, and its owners were fined.
In addition, recently, Panda Express has a competitor – Panda Libre, with Mexican-Asian cuisine. Due to the similarity of names and the common mascot presented on the emblems, a Chinese restaurant chain filed a copyright infringement in 2020. As a result, the business owner was forced to rename his catering outlet to Kung Pow Restaurant. Moreover, the Panda Express company itself uses a logo similar to the symbol of the public organization World Wide Fund for Nature, but this does not bother anyone. A standing panda is depicted both there and there, only for the fast-food brand it is directed to the left, and for WWF, it is directed to the right.
What is Panda Express?
Panda Express is the largest restaurant chain in the United States that serves American-style Chinese cuisine. It is part of the Panda Restaurant Group and is its most popular brand. The catering service began operating in 1983 with the opening of the Galleria food court restaurant. Over time, there have been many more outlets, not only in the US but also abroad, so the Panda Express logo is familiar to people worldwide.
1973 – 1983
Before Panda Express entered the market, there was a chain of Panda Inn restaurants serving traditional Szechuan food in a formal setting. Its first establishment was opened in 1973, and at the same time, the logo appeared, which lingered for the next ten years. The central character, as expected, was the panda. The artists depicted her in cartoon style, with a green bamboo shoot in her front paws. And to make the black-and-white animal stand out better, they added a large red circle with a black border against the background – a kind of sun.
In the lower half was a crimson rectangular tablet with white inscriptions. The brand name occupied the top line. In the middle was the phrase “MANDARIN CUISINE,” underlined on both sides with horizontal lines. And below it is three Chinese characters. For words in English, a thin sans-serif font was used.
1983 – 2009
In 1983, a “fast food” version of Panda Inn appeared – Panda Express. The new restaurant chain inherited from its predecessor the name and a system of graphic symbols. She got a similar logo with the image of a panda, although this time, the animal was not sitting but standing so that only three paws were visible. The overall design was reminiscent of the world-famous WWF badge. The background circle hasn’t disappeared. The developers designed it to look like a rondel, highlighting the scarlet middle and a wide white ring along the edge. The black outer outline became scarlet. The rectangular tablet disappeared, so all the inscriptions were in the ring. Traditionally, the brand name was on top, and below it was the phrase “GOURMET CHINESE FOOD.”
2009 – 2014
In 2009, Panda Express made its logo more expressive. To do this, she had to replace the red color with crimson and use a bold black sans-serif font for the text.
2014 – today
A few years later, the company again modernized the graphic symbol. The crimson color became a pale red, and all the edges of the letters were rounded off. But the most significant update is that the brand name is now partly written in a serif font. As for the painted panda, the designers have slightly changed its shape, although this is not so noticeable. In place of the long phrase “GOURMET CHINESE FOOD” is the terse phrase “CHINESE KITCHEN.”
Font and Colors
The restaurant chain’s mascot demonstrates its connection to China, as pandas are found only there. These animals are considered a national symbol of the PRC and are even used as a diplomatic tool – a “living gift” for friendly states. And modern China rents them out for ten years and takes them back along with the cubs, so it’s hard to come up with something more Chinese than a panda. The country’s authorities do not allow bamboo bears to settle around the world and make good money on them, although all the money goes to the endangered species protection fund. So the Panda Express logo fully reflects the concept of the restaurant.
Until 2014, the words on the brand logo were written in Frutiger Cond Bold, which appeared thanks to Adrian Frutiger. Then the typographers worked a bit on the style and transformed the grotesque so that the letters “P” and “D” appeared one short serif at the top. And the edges of all symbols have become rounded, which was not observed before.
The color scheme has also been changed: the traditional raspberry shade (#CE123D) has been replaced by red (#C12322). After the redesign, only black (#000000) and white (#FFFFFF) remained.
Bored Panda
Bored panda markets themselves as the ‘only magazine for pandas’. Of course, they aren’t expecting real pandas to be reading their articles.
In this case, the term Panda is an affectionate term for their readers and anyone part of their community.
Looking to design your own logo? Take one of these courses:
- Typography and Branding: Design an Iconic Logo
- Logo Design Mastery In Adobe Illustrator
- Logo Design Fundamentals
Know of other companies that have panda logos? Send us an email, and we’ll feature them in this article.
Cheers! ????
Logo Panda Express Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does the Panda Express logo represent?
The Panda Express logo features a stylized panda bear, a symbol that has strong associations with China, where the cuisine of Panda Express originates. The simplicity of the design suggests ease and convenience, while the panda itself represents friendliness and approachability.
2. Has the Panda Express logo changed over the years?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Panda Express logo has maintained a consistent design throughout its history. However, many companies occasionally tweak or update their logos, so there may have been slight alterations since then.
3. Who designed the Panda Express logo?
As of September 2021, there is no publicly available information about the specific individual or agency responsible for the design of the Panda Express logo.
4. When was the Panda Express logo first introduced?
The logo was first introduced in 1983 when Panda Express was established by Andrew Cherng and his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng.
5. Can I use the Panda Express logo for personal or commercial use?
The Panda Express logo is a registered trademark. Unauthorized use of the logo for personal or commercial purposes may infringe on the company’s trademark rights and is generally prohibited without explicit permission from the company. Always contact the company directly if you wish to use their logo.
6. Is there any meaning behind the colors used in the Panda Express logo?
The Panda Express logo primarily uses the colors red and white. In Chinese culture, red is often associated with good luck and fortune. The white could represent purity and perfection, which may be interpreted as a commitment to quality in their food and service.
Source
- https://marketsplash.com/company-panda-logo/
- https://logos-world.net/panda-express-logo/
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