SOLEDAD — Panda Express celebrated the grand opening of its first location in South Monterey County last week, located at 600 Nestles Road in Soledad.
The March 18 event, organized in partnership with the City of Soledad and the Soledad Chamber of Commerce, marked a significant milestone for the community. Mayor Anna Velazquez expressed enthusiasm for the new establishment.
“Soledad is excited to welcome Panda Express to our community,” Velazquez said. “We look forward to the positive economic impact it will bring. This will provide new jobs and increase revenue streams, allowing the city to augment its public services. This new partnership will stimulate a vibrant economy for our South County region.”
Panda Express announced plans to hire five full-time and 25 part-time employees for the new restaurant location. Economic Development Coordinator Tencia Vargas noted the historic significance of the opening.
“The opening of Panda Express in the city of Soledad marks a historic milestone for the South County region, as it is the first of its kind in the area,” Vargas said. “This exciting new addition not only provides a significant boost to the local economy but also creates valuable job opportunities, which contribute to Soledad’s ongoing growth and development.”
The City of Soledad has been focusing on attracting new businesses. Panda Express now joins a growing list of recent openings in the area, including Premiere Cinemas, Grocery Outlet, Dutch Bros, Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply.
As part of the restaurant’s grand-opening festivities, the first 88 guests in line received free T-shirts, and the Soledad High School band and cheer team performed during the event. The Chamber of Commerce coordinated a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, and Panda Express contributed 50% of event sales to the high school, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the local community.
