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Panda Express launches new Albuquerque location
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Customers quickly got busy stuffing their faces with orange chicken at Panda Express’ new Albuquerque location last week.
While many ooh’d and ahh’d at the fresh design of the new restaurant, 4-year-old Maya Abreu was most concerned with the giant costume panda walking around.
“I really want to see the panda,” she said as she and her mother, Maribel Abreu, walked out with food in hand and Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” blasting over speakers.
The new location opened its doors at 2040 Gibson SE on Wednesday.
Meals on Wheels New Mexico, a local nonprofit that delivers meals to people’s homes, received a $1,000 check at the opening, and the first 88 customers received free T-shirts and a balloon with a mini-panda toy tied to it.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Albuquerque community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations...” said Juan Mejia, a Panda Express area coach of operations, in a statement.
The new 2,700-square-foot location created roughly 40 jobs and expands the number of Panda Express restaurants in Albuquerque to 15, according to Mejia. The Gibson location is one of two in Albuquerque featuring the chain’s newest restaurant design, Mejia said.
“We hope to be a lasting part of the community,” Mejia said.
