Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Andrea Cherng leads the growth and development of the Panda family of brands through strategy development, menu and concept innovation, marketing, and quality assurance.

Andrea has a lifelong connection with the company, which has fostered a deep sense of stewardship for the Panda brands and its family of associates. Her first formal leadership position at Panda was in establishing and leading the Digital Business team and the creation of the company’s digital marketing strategy, social media and e-commerce platforms. Her career path has also included successful stops as vice president of a Silicon Valley marketing consulting firm, as an attorney at global law firm Morrison & Foerster and work in the not-for-profit and public sectors focusing on disconnected youth and human rights.

Andrea earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and Asian American studies, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, a law degree with honors from Duke University School of Law and a Master of Business Administration concentrating in marketing and strategic management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

As Co-Founder, Co-Chair and Co-CEO, Andrew Cherng is the visionary behind Panda Restaurant Group. His business insights have propelled Panda to become the world leader in Asian dining experiences, while his passion for continuous learning inspires a culture where associates are dedicated to developing their full potential.

Andrew’s business acumen has been recognized by Forbes magazine, the Los Angeles Business Journal and the Asia Society of Southern California. He was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Under Andrew’s leadership, Panda Restaurant Group was named one of America’s best employers by Forbes and ranked the number one Asian quick-service concept for seven consecutive years by QSR. Additionally, he along with Panda Restaurant Group Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Peggy Cherng, have been inducted into the National Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame.

Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Baker University and Master of Applied Mathematics from the University of Missouri.

As the Chief Financial Officer, David Landsberg leads Panda Restaurant Group’s finance, accounting, strategy and tax groups, as well as managing the company’s banking relationships and search for investments and acquisitions. He was formerly the Vice President of Real Estate-West responsible for new store development and Vice President of Business Planning responsible for leading Panda’s strategic and annual planning process. He also served as Panda’s chief development officer from 2011-2014.

David brings to Panda a strong background in finance, business development, strategy and real estate. His previous experience includes roles as Senior Associate of the Windsor Park Group, a boutique strategy and acquisition consulting firm, Assistant Vice President at Tokai Bank of California and Assistant Vice President at City National Bank.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and political science from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA Anderson School.

As Chief People Officer, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management, Leonard Yip’s passion for people development and technology are the driving force behind Panda Restaurant Group’s Human Resources, Information Systems and Supply Chain Management departments. Leonard integrates his technical background with his passion for people development, leading the organization in its vision to be recognized as a world leader in people development.

Leonard brings to Panda more than two decades of retail technology leadership, specializing in designing and integrating new technologies into operations. His previous experiences include leadership roles in retail industry and technology companies focused on simulation and modeling supply chain networks.

Leonard earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Technology/Vocational Management and Master of Computer Science and Engineering from Brigham Young University.  He also holds a law degree from Western State University, licensed to practice in California and the US Patent and Trademark Office.

As General Counsel and Senior Vice President of International Development, Monte Baier is responsible for Panda Restaurant Group’s global legal affairs and for expanding the brand beyond the United States through partnerships with like-minded restaurant companies.

Monte brings to Panda a strong background in corporate acquisitions and financings, corporate governance and litigation management from a career working in corporate legal departments and law firms. His corporate experience includes roles as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of K2 Inc., a leading sporting goods equipment manufacturer, and as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of Asia Global Crossing, an Asian telecommunications company. Prior to this, he was an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in NYC and London.

Monte earned an AB in economics from Dartmouth College graduating Phi Beta Kappaand a law degree from New York University, where he was an Articles Editor of the New York University Law Review.

As Co-Founder, Co-Chair and Co-CEO, Peggy Cherng has been a driving force in the success of Panda Restaurant Group since joining the organization in 1982. Leveraging her engineering background, Peggy developed the systems that support Panda’s growth and help associates deliver consistent dining experiences to guests. Her holistic vision for people development led to the creation of the University of Panda, a core component of the company’s people development strategy.

Peggy is deeply committed to giving back to the communities in which Panda restaurants operate through Panda Cares, a philanthropic effort that has donated millions of dollars to non-profit organizations, schools and children's hospitals since its founding in 1999. Peggy also serves on the boards of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch, the United Way of Los Angeles, Methodist Hospital of Arcadia and the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Prior to joining Panda Restaurant Group, Peggy was a leading member of the software development team for organizations such as McDonnell Douglas and Comtal-3M.

Peggy earned a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics from Oregon State University, a Master of Science in computer science and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri.

As the Senior Vice President of Operations and Licensing, Al Chaib is responsible for making sure that Panda Restaurant Group brands operate at the highest level of consistency on an international level while honoring local tastes, customs and cultures. He began his career at Panda two decades ago as a store manager.

Al brings to Panda a strong background in statistics, logistics, purchasing and management gained from his roles as Operation Research Analyst, and Planning and Control Manager at Montgomery Ward. He has also lectured and taught college-level courses at Purdue University, Northeastern Illinois University and Triton College.

Al earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and Master of Operations Research from Texas A&M University. He also holds a doctorate in management sciences from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

As a member of the Senior Vice President of Operations Office, Jeff Wang spearheads the operations of Panda Express and Panda Inn. Jeff, who began his career at Panda Express in 1995 as counter help, understands first hand the importance of continuous learning and people development. Jeff is firmly committed to caring for Panda Restaurant Group’s family of associates, so they in turn can deliver food with passion, service with heart and ambiance with pride.

Over Jeff’s two decades-long career at Panda, he has served as Vice President, Zone Vice President and Senior Vice President, where he not only inspired and developed associates at every level, but was also the driving force in regional growth through targeted marketing efforts, site selection and real estate. Prior to these positions, Jeff served as a Training Leader, Multi-Unit Manager, Area Coach of Operations and Regional Director of Operations.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and accounting from California State University, Los Angeles.

Direct accountability for four Facility Manager and associated “facilities” related functions for over 500 QSR and full service locations throughout the US with a R&M budget in excess of 7.5 million and a capitol budget of over 4 million.
Define and implement procedures of facilities and equipment management/maintenance by local operations
Source and manage all contracted services for all assigned locations.
Define and implement programs to effectively administer and manage emergency situations including but not limited to Fire Life Safety.
Responsible for all renovations, along with general maintenance, repairs, capitol projects and new project rollouts
Close interaction with General Managers, Area Coach of Operations, Regional Directors of Operations and Zone VP’s

As a member of the Senior Vice President of Operations Office, Willie Wang is committed to helping associates achieve their goals both personally and professionally. Willie inspires the associates at Panda Express and Panda Inn to deliver exceptional food, service and ambiance in order to earn guest loyalty and strengthen brand equity.

Since starting his career at Panda Express in 1999 as a general manager, Willie has served in several capacities including Vice President, Zone Vice President and Senior Vice President. Prior to these positions, he was a Training Leader, where he developed future Panda leaders, Multi-Unit Manager, where he strengthened connections among associates, Area Coach of Operations, where he inspired managerial talent to lead and succeed, and Regional Director of Operations, where he drove regional growth.

Willie earned a Bachelor of Science in electronics from Shanghai University of Technology.

As Chief Development Officer, Tabassum Zalotrawala leads real estate, design and construction for all Panda Restaurant Group concepts, building the company’s brands as well as facilities and delivering on the company’s commitment to ambiance with pride.

Tabassum brings to Panda a strong background in hospitality design and restaurant project management. Her experience includes roles as Senior Director of Store Planning at Arby’s Restaurant Group and Senior Design Manager at RTM Restaurant Group. Prior to these positions, she was the Senior Project Manager at Rana Vision where she contributed to high profile interior design projects including the Grand Mosque in Oman, guest palaces for the Royal Court of H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, and the presidential hotel and airport terminal in Zanzibar.

Tabassum earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from the School of Planning and Architecture (Mumbai, India) and American Continental University, a Master of Fine Arts in architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design and a Master of Business Administration from Emory University. Additionally, she is a LEED accredited professional.