Panda Express Working Hours 2026
Most Panda Express locations open at 10:30 AM and close at 9:30 PM Monday through Thursday, staying open until 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Sundays typically run 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Hours vary by location, and every restaurant is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Here’s the thing about Panda Express working hours: there’s no single national schedule, so the times below are the most common pattern, not a promise. Most restaurants follow the 10:30 AM rhythm, but mall food courts, airports and college campuses all play by their own rules. I dug into the details so you can plan your orange chicken run without getting burned by a locked door. Before you head out, check our Panda Express menu with prices to see exactly what you’re craving.
What Are Panda Express Working Hours?
Most Panda Express restaurants open at 10:30 AM and close at 9:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. That mid-morning opening is the brand’s standard, and honestly it holds true for the large majority of standalone locations I’ve seen.
| Day | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM | 9:30 PM |
One caveat that matters: franchise and special-venue locations, think malls, airports and universities, can run very different Panda Express opening hours. Some don’t open until noon and close early. When in doubt, a quick Google Maps check saves you a wasted trip.
Are Panda Express Hours Different on Weekends?
Yes, slightly. Fridays and Saturdays get an extra half hour, staying open until 10:00 PM to catch the dinner crowd, while Sundays shift both ways: doors open at 11:00 AM and close at 9:30 PM.
Drive-thru hours generally match the dine-in schedule, and online ordering usually stays available until about 30 minutes before closing. If you’re planning a late Friday run, order ahead in the app so you’re not standing in line at 9:55 PM wondering if the wok is still hot. It usually is, but don’t push your luck.
Is Panda Express Open on Holidays?
Panda Express is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day at all locations, no exceptions. Most other holidays stay open, though some run on reduced schedules. Here’s the full picture for 2026:
| Holiday | Status |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open, hours may vary |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Open, regular hours |
| Presidents Day | Open, regular hours |
| Easter Sunday | Open, hours may vary |
| Memorial Day | Open, regular hours |
| Independence Day | Open, hours may vary |
| Labor Day | Open, regular hours |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Black Friday | Open, regular hours |
| Christmas Eve | Open, closes early (around 6:00 PM) |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
| New Year’s Eve | Open, may close early |
The two big takeaways: is Panda Express open on Thanksgiving? No. Is Panda Express open on Christmas? Not Christmas Day, but Christmas Eve is your last shot, and most locations shut the doors around 6 PM. Plan accordingly.
Does Panda Express Serve Breakfast?
No. Panda Express doesn’t do breakfast, and Panda Express breakfast hours aren’t a thing because the kitchen doesn’t open for it. Restaurants typically unlock the doors at 10:30 AM and go straight into the lunch menu: orange chicken, chow mein, fried rice and all.
So if you’re an early bird hoping for a breakfast bowl at 8 AM, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The good news is the lunch menu is ready the moment the doors open.
How to Find Panda Express Hours Near You
The fastest way is the official store locator on pandaexpress.com, which shows your nearest restaurants with their exact opening hours for today. Google Maps works just as well and usually reflects holiday changes faster.
The Panda Express app is worth having too: it shows local hours, lets you order ahead, and the rewards program is free to join. Two minutes of setup beats driving across town to a dark parking lot.
Panda Express Hours FAQs
Is Panda Express open on Christmas Day?
No. Panda Express is closed on Christmas Day at all locations, including drive-thru and delivery. It reopens with regular Panda Express working hours on December 26.
Is Panda Express open on Thanksgiving?
No. Panda Express closes every location on Thanksgiving Day so employees can spend the holiday with their families. Grab your orange chicken a day early instead.
What are Panda Express Sunday hours?
Most locations open at 11:00 AM and close at 9:30 PM on Sundays. That’s a slightly later start than the 10:30 AM weekday opening, so don’t show up too early.
What time does Panda Express close on Friday?
Most locations close at 10:00 PM on Friday, half an hour later than the 9:30 PM weekday close. Saturday follows the same 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM schedule.
Prices last verified: October 13, 2026. Hours are based on the official source of truth: pandaexpress.com. Hours vary by location and can change on holidays, so always confirm with your local restaurant.
