Panda Express
The Cherng family founded the fast-food chain Panda Express 36 years ago, and it employs 2,200 people. However, their employee count recently dropped, with Panda Express closing two Syracuse locations overnight, both almost next to each other. Restaurants in Sarasota were also shut down. Renowned for its orange chicken and chow mein, Panda Express still has 1,800 stores in the US, and more are opening in strip malls. There are Panda Express restaurants that have also been closed (temporarily) because of violations of the health code this year.
Little Caesars
Even though Little Caesars is opening some new restaurants on the East Coast, locations in Central America are struggling. Takeout makes up 90% of the business of the “Hot & Ready” restaurant and there are brick and mortar locations that aren’t making the cut. Employees were shocked when Little Caesars closed in Kansas City. Six locations in Kansas City closed in 2017, and two more joined them. There are currently 5,463 Little Caesars locations, but in a foreboding shock, the original store itself shut down last year.