Service members and their families lined up for hours ahead of the grand opening of the Exchange’s Panda Express at Yokota Air Base, eager for a familiar taste of home.
Many had camping chairs and gaming devices to pass time. Others stayed active—one customer even exercised in the early-morning light as the line grew. For many, the anticipation centered on familiar favorites, including orange chicken.
“I grew up eating Panda and I’ve been excited for them to come here,” said Kimberly Moritomo, who was the first person waiting in line for the restaurant’s May 20 grand opening. “I was here at 4:50 in the morning. … I want my orange chicken!”
The Yokota location is the first stand-alone Panda Express in the Exchange’s portfolio to feature a drive-thru. Panda Express—like all Exchange restaurants—offers better-for-you options that fit the Exchange’s BE FIT 360 program and promote nutritional readiness.
“The most exciting thing is that we’re bringing a taste of home to the Pacific,” said Yokota Exchange General Manager Andrew Defelice. “Bringing something that’s familiar, a brand that everyone recognizes and is familiar with in the States really adds to that Quality-of-Life value.”
374th Airlift Wing and Yokota Air Base Installation Commander Col. Richard McElhaney and the Exchange Pacific Region Commander Col. Jason Beck attended the ribbon-cutting. The ceremony featured the reveal of a large panda statue, Chinese dragon dancers and special gifts for the first 88 customers.
“Starting a business overseas is more difficult,” McElhaney said at the ceremony. “Starting a business overseas on a military installation is then more difficult. I want to thank the team for sticking with it and taking care of us. … Thank you for the Panda team and AAFES for all the things you’ve done.”
Nearly 1,400 customers—including 457 vehicles in the drive-thru— were served on opening day.
The effort to bring Panda Express to Yokota started five years ago. After several site surveys and inspections, a former Express location was selected and underwent a yearlong renovation to convert the building into a restaurant.
“The Exchange team worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition, and it’s wonderful to finally see it opening,” Beck said. “The drive-thru will be a great convenience for the service members and family members at Yokota Air Base. Bringing Panda Express here is just one of the ways we strive to live up to our motto, ‘We go where you go.”
Panda Express offers Asian meals, including better-for-you options such as string-bean chicken breast, broccoli beef and steamed broccoli. The Yokota restaurant offers two exclusive drinks: kiwi sparkling soda and sparkling classic lemonade.
Share your thoughts!