Panda Express Hours 2026: Opening, Closing & Holiday Schedule
Most Panda Express locations open at 10:30 AM and close between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM, depending on the day and location type. That said, hours vary more than people expect — mall stores, airport branches, drive-thru-only locations, and college campus outlets all run on different timetables. This guide gives you the standard schedule, the holiday exceptions, and a few practical tips to make sure you don’t show up when the woks are cold.
Standard Panda Express Hours — Weekly Schedule 2026
The table below reflects the typical operating hours for standalone Panda Express restaurants across the United States. Mall-based and airport locations may differ (covered below).
| Day | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Standard hours |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Standard hours |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Standard hours |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Standard hours |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 10:00 PM | Extended for dinner traffic |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 10:00 PM | Extended — busiest day |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 9:30 PM | Some locations close earlier |
Friday and Saturday are the two peak-traffic days, so many standalone locations extend closing by 30 minutes. Sunday is the most inconsistent day — some stores close at 9:30 PM on the dot, others pull back to 9:00 PM. If you’re planning a Sunday dinner run, confirm ahead.
Kitchen cut-off: The official closing time is when the doors lock — not when the kitchen stops. Most Panda Express kitchens begin winding down 30 to 60 minutes before closing. Arriving at 9:15 PM at a location that closes at 9:30 PM may mean a shorter menu. Aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before closing if you want full selection.
Panda Express Holiday Hours 2026
Panda Express stays open on most US public holidays, which sets it apart from many fast-casual competitors. The two firm exceptions are Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day — both see near-universal closures nationwide.
| Holiday | Status | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open | Reduced (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM) |
| Easter Sunday | Open | Standard or slightly reduced |
| Memorial Day | Open | Standard hours |
| Independence Day (July 4) | Open | Standard hours |
| Labor Day | Open | Standard hours |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | All locations closed |
| Christmas Eve | Open | Closes early (~6:00–7:00 PM) |
| Christmas Day | Closed | All locations closed |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | May close by 9:00 PM |
Always call your nearest location or check pandaexpress.com before visiting on any major holiday. Even on “open” days, individual stores in malls or airports may follow the facility’s holiday schedule — which can differ significantly from the standard table above.
Mall, Airport & Special Location Hours
Not every Panda Express runs on the standard timetable. Three location types follow their own rules:
Mall locations open and close with the mall itself — typically 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays. During holiday shopping season (late November through December), mall Panda Express restaurants often extend to 10:00 PM or later alongside the mall’s extended retail hours.
Airport locations run some of the longest hours in the chain. Terminal locations at busy airports — like LAX, O’Hare, and Dallas Fort Worth — operate as early as 6:00 AM and as late as midnight, seven days a week, to serve early departures and late arrivals. Some operate 24 hours.
Drive-thru locations often stay open 30 to 60 minutes later than their dine-in counterpart. If a location closes its dining room at 9:30 PM, the drive-thru window may run until 10:00 PM or 10:30 PM.
Best Time to Visit Panda Express (Avoid the Rush)
Panda Express has two predictable daily peaks: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM (lunch rush) and 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (dinner rush). During these windows, wait times are longer, the hot bar rotates faster, and popular items like Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef can run low.
The best times to visit for speed and full menu availability:
If you’re visiting a mall location, Saturday afternoon between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM tends to be the sweet spot — the lunch crowd has cleared and the dinner surge hasn’t started.
How to Check Your Local Panda Express Hours
The fastest ways to confirm your specific location’s current hours:
- Google Maps — search “Panda Express near me” and check the info panel. Hours update in real time and show holiday adjustments automatically.
- Official Panda Express website — use the store locator at pandaexpress.com to find your nearest branch and view its posted hours.
- Panda Express app — the mobile app includes a store finder with current operating hours and online ordering for pickup.
- Call the store directly — the most reliable method for same-day confirmation, especially on holidays or during severe weather.
For nutrition information about what’s on the menu during your visit, use the Panda Express Nutrition Calculator on this site to plan your order before you arrive.