Andrew Cherng

$7.21 B

Ranked #509 in World

About Andrew Cherng

Andrew Cherng, a Chinese-born American billionaire and a luminary in the restaurant industry, is widely recognized for founding the Panda Restaurant Group and as the co-founder and CEO of Panda Express. Born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, Republic of China in April 1948, Cherng's journey to success began after his immigration to the United States in 1966. With a strong educational background, earning degrees in mathematics and applied mathematics from Baker University and the University of Missouri, respectively, Cherng initiated his culinary venture by establishing Panda Inn in 1973, which later expanded into over 100 Panda Express locations by 1993. Alongside his wife, Peggy Tsiang, whom he met during his university years, Cherng has ventured into various restaurant concepts and made significant philanthropic contributions, including sizable donations to the Collins College of Hospitality Management and the renaming of the medical engineering department at the California Institute of Technology to honor their generosity. A respected figure, Cherng's personal achievements, and community investments underscore his influential role in both the business and philanthropic spheres.

Born

May 02, 1947 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, Republic of China

Age

78 years

Source Of Wealth

Fast Food

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Las Vegas, Nevada

Spouse

Peggy Tsiang (Married: 1975)

Children

Parent

Ming-Tsai Cherng (father)

Andrew Cherng was born in April 1948 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, Republic of China. After the Kuomintang was defeated on mainland China, his family moved to Taiwan. In 1963, they relocated to Yokohama, Japan, where his father worked as a chef. In 1966, at the age of 18, Cherng immigrated to the United States to pursue higher education.

Andrew Cherng: Family

Andrew Cherng met his future wife, Peggy Tsiang, while studying at Baker University. They got married in 1975 and have three daughters: Andrea, Nicole, and Michelle. Andrea and Nicole work for the Panda company, while Michelle is a primary/secondary school teacher.

Andrew Cherng: Career Highlights

After earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Baker University in 1970 and a master's degree in applied mathematics from the University of Missouri in 1972, Cherng moved to the Los Angeles area to help his cousin run a restaurant called Ting Ho. In 1973, he took over a restaurant in Pasadena and started Panda Inn. The first Panda Express was opened in 1983 at the Glendale Galleria II mall in Glendale, California. By 1993, Panda Express had expanded to 100 restaurants.

Andrew Cherng: Companies

Andrew Cherng is the founder and chairman of Panda Restaurant Group, the parent company of Panda Express. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Panda Express.

Andrew Cherng: Major Achievements

Under Cherng's leadership, Panda Express has grown into one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States, with over 2,000 locations. He has also successfully diversified the company's portfolio by investing in new restaurant concepts such as Just Salad, YakiYan, Ippudo, and Pieology. In 2018, the Cherng Family Trust purchased the former Mandarin Oriental hotel on the Las Vegas Strip and rebranded it as a Waldorf Astoria.

Andrew Cherng: Awards & Achievements

Andrew Cherng has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the restaurant industry and philanthropy.

He was listed in Forbes' Twenty-Five Notable Chinese-Americans in 2008 and was conferred with an honorary doctorate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in the same year. He is also a member of the Committee of 100 since 2010.

Andrew Cherng: Personal Life & Legacy

Andrew Cherng is known for his humble and hardworking nature. He prefers to keep the company closely held and has maintained a low profile despite his immense success. Cherng and his wife, Peggy, are actively involved in philanthropy and have made significant donations to various educational institutions and charitable organizations.

Andrew Cherng: Trivia

In 2015, Andrew Cherng invested $15.2 million in a beachfront property and home in Honolulu. He also purchased a mansion in Henderson, Nevada in 2018.

Wealth History

Timeline

April 1948

Andrew Cherng was born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, Republic of China.

1963

Andrew Cherng moved to Yokohama, Japan where his father worked as a chef.

1966

Andrew Cherng immigrated to the United States at age 18 to study at an American university.

1970

Andrew Cherng earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Baker University.

1972

Andrew Cherng earned a master's degree in applied mathematics from the University of Missouri.

1972

Andrew Cherng moved to the Los Angeles area to help his cousin run a restaurant called Ting Ho.

1973

Andrew Cherng took over a restaurant in Pasadena and started Panda Inn.

1975

Andrew Cherng married Peggy Tsiang.

1983

Andrew Cherng opened the first Panda Express at the Glendale Galleria II mall in Glendale, California.

1993

Panda Express expanded to 100 restaurants.

2008

Andrew Cherng was listed in Forbes' Twenty-Five Notable Chinese-Americans.

2008

Andrew Cherng was conferred with an honorary doctorate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

2010

Andrew Cherng became a member of the Committee of 100.

2011

Andrew Cherng donated $2.5 million to support the Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

2015

Andrew Cherng invested $15.2 million in a beachfront property and home in Honolulu.

2017

California Institute of Technology changed the name of its medical engineering department to the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering after receiving a $30 million gift from them.

2017

Andrew Cherng donated $1.5 million to the University of Missouri's Honors College.

2018

Andrew Cherng purchased a mansion in Henderson, Nevada.

2018

The Cherng Family Trust purchased the former Mandarin Oriental hotel on the Las Vegas Strip and rebranded it as a Waldorf Astoria.

Andrew Cherng : FAQs

What is Andrew Cherng's current net worth?

Andrew Cherng's current net worth is $7.21 billion.

What is Andrew Cherng's current global rank among billionaires?

Andrew Cherng holds the 509th position globally among billionaires.

What is Andrew Cherng's current ranking within the United States?

Andrew Cherng holds the 200th position in United States.

What was the change in Andrew Cherng's net worth compared to the previous year?

Andrew Cherng's net worth decreased by 195.6 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 7.40 billion dollars.

What are Andrew Cherng's main sources of wealth?

Andrew Cherng's main source of income comes from Fast Food.

In which industry does Andrew Cherng primarily operate?

Andrew Cherng is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

How old is Andrew Cherng?

Andrew Cherng is 78 years old.

How many children does Andrew Cherng have?

Andrew Cherng has 3 children.

Who is Andrew Cherng and what is he known for?

Andrew Cherng is a Chinese-born American billionaire restaurateur known as the founder and chairman of Panda Restaurant Group, and co-founder and CEO of Panda Express.

What is the history of Panda Express and its expansion?

Panda Express, founded by Andrew Cherng, opened its first location in 1983 at the Glendale Galleria II mall in Glendale, California, and expanded to 100 restaurants by 1993.

How did Andrew Cherng's journey to America shape his career?

Andrew Cherng immigrated to the United States in 1966 to study at an American university, earning degrees in mathematics and applied mathematics, which preceded his successful career in the restaurant industry.

What philanthropic efforts have Andrew and Peggy Cherng contributed to?

The Cherngs have made significant donations, including $2.5 million to California State Polytechnic University's Collins College of Hospitality Management and $30 million to the California Institute of Technology for medical engineering.

Can you detail Andrew Cherng's personal life and investment ventures?

Married to Peggy Tsiang since 1975 with three daughters, Andrew Cherng has made significant investments, including a $15.2 million purchase of a beachfront property in Honolulu and a mansion in Henderson, Nevada.