Panda Express Catering Menu: 2026 Prices, Trays & Tips

If you are tasked with feeding a crowd, finding a restaurant that balances bold flavors, generous portions, and an affordable price tag can be difficult. Event planners and office managers frequently face the challenge of accommodating diverse tastes without breaking the event budget. Panda Express steps in to solve this problem by offering an expanded version of its famous American Chinese menu designed specifically for large groups.

Ordering food for a dozen or more people requires careful planning. You need to know exactly how much food to get, how much it will cost per person, and how to navigate dietary restrictions.

What Is the Panda Express Catering Menu?

The Panda Express catering menu is a specialized selection of American Chinese dishes prepared in bulk party trays to feed large groups. It features the brand’s most popular entrees, sides, and appetizers, allowing customers to easily serve hot, flavorful meals at corporate events, family gatherings, and parties.

How Does Panda Express Catering Work?

Panda Express catering works by offering scalable meal solutions through individual party trays or pre-configured party bundles. Customers select large-format trays of entrees and sides, which are then packaged in durable black plastic containers for easy buffet-style serving. Orders require 24-hour advance notice for optimal preparation.

What Is on the Panda Express Catering Menu?

The Panda Express catering menu features party-sized portions of their signature entrees, sides, appetizers, and desserts. You can order items a la carte or choose comprehensive party bundles that include a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fortune cookies to provide a complete meal for your guests.

Panda Express Catering Overview:

Category	Serving Size	Starting Price	Popular Items
Party Sides	10–12 people	$17.00+	Chow Mein, Fried Rice, Super Greens
Standard Entrees	12–14 people	$42.00+	Orange Chicken, Broccoli Beef
Premium Entrees	12–14 people	$57.00+	Honey Walnut Shrimp, Black Pepper Steak
Appetizers	12–14 people	$42.00+	Cream Cheese Rangoon, Egg Rolls
Party Bundles	12–30 people	$112.00+	12-16, 18-22, and 26-30 Person Bundles

What Are the Panda Express Party Tray Sizes and Options?

Panda Express party trays are standardized large-format containers designed to serve specific group sizes. Side dish trays provide enough food for 10 to 12 guests, while entree trays yield generous portions for 12 to 14 guests. You can order these trays individually or combine them into packages.

How Much Are Panda Express Catering Menu Prices?

Panda Express catering prices generally range from $17 for standard side trays to $57 for premium entree trays, with complete party bundles costing between $112 and $201. Pricing varies slightly based on local taxes, store locations, and whether you are using a third-party delivery service.

What Are the Panda Express Entree Party Trays?

Panda Express entree party trays consist of roughly 100 ounces of wok-tossed proteins and vegetables, serving 12 to 14 people. Standard entrees cost $42, while premium selections containing shrimp or steak cost $57. These trays form the centerpiece of any catered meal.

Entree Item	Type	Price	Serves
Orange Chicken	Standard	$42	12–14
Beijing Beef	Standard	$42	12–14
Broccoli Beef	Standard	$42	12–14
Kung Pao Chicken	Standard	$42	12–14
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken	Standard	$42	12–14
Honey Walnut Shrimp	Premium	$57	12–14
Black Pepper Sirloin Steak	Premium	$57	12–14

What Are the Panda Express Side Party Trays?

Panda Express side party trays provide the essential carbohydrate or vegetable base for your meal, serving 10 to 12 people per tray. Priced at $17 each, these trays ensure guests have hearty accompaniments like noodles or rice to pair with the flavorful entrees.

Side Item	Price	Serves	Type
Chow Mein	$17	10–12	Noodles
Fried Rice	$17	10–12	Rice
White Rice	$17	10–12	Basic
Brown Rice	$17	10–12	Whole grain
Super Greens	$17	10–12	Healthy

What Are the Panda Express Appetizers and Add-Ons?

Panda Express appetizers are party-sized starters designed to kick off your event. Trays serve up to 14 people and range from $34 to $42. These crispy finger foods are highly popular for office mixers, casual snacking, or complementing a main buffet line.

Cream Cheese Rangoon ($34.00): 48 pieces of crispy wonton wrappers filled with cream cheese.
Vegetable Spring Rolls ($42.00): 48 pieces of crispy rolls filled with cabbage and carrots.
Chicken Egg Rolls ($42.00): 24 large rolls packed with chicken and vegetables.

Are There Panda Express Catering Drinks and Desserts?

Panda Express catering focuses heavily on savory meals, but you can add basic beverages and simple desserts to your order. Drink options include bottled water, standard sodas, or specialty refreshers. For dessert, customers can order party trays of Apple Pie Rolls.

Apple Pie Rolls ($34.00): 24 pieces of sweet, crispy rolls with warm apple filling.
Bottled Water/Soda ($2.30 each): Individual 16oz Dasani waters($2.50+) or classic Coca-Cola products.
Specialty Refreshers ($3.40 each): Flavored teas and fruit refreshers like Peach Lychee or Watermelon Mango.

How Are Panda Express Catering Packages Explained?

Panda Express catering packages, known as Party Bundles, are pre-configured meal deals that simplify the ordering process. By combining a set number of entree trays, side trays, and fortune cookies, these bundles provide a balanced meal at a slightly discounted rate compared to ordering a la carte.

Bundle Size	People Served	Entrees	Sides	Price
Small Bundle	12–16	2	2	$112
Medium Bundle	18–22	3	3	$159
Large Bundle	26–30	4	4	$201

What Is the Party Bundle (Small Group Catering)?

The 12-16 Person Party Bundle is designed for small gatherings and costs approximately $112. It includes two party-size entrees, two party-size sides, and fortune cookies. This package is ideal for small office lunches, team meetings, or casual family get-togethers.

What Is the Medium Party Package?

The 18-22 Person Party Bundle provides ample food for medium-sized events, costing around $159. This package upgrades your spread to include three party-size entrees and three party-size sides, alongside fortune cookies. It offers great variety for birthday parties or extended family dinners.

What Is the Large Party Package?

The 26-30 Person Party Bundle is the largest standard catering option, priced around $201. It delivers massive value by including four party-size entrees, four party-size sides, and fortune cookies. This bundle perfectly suits large corporate events, warehouse lunches, or major celebrations.

How to Plan Panda Express Catering for Events and Offices?

Planning Panda Express catering requires matching your group size to the appropriate tray quantities. For office settings, opt for bundles to simplify setup and ensure variety. Provide a mix of familiar favorites like Orange Chicken alongside lighter options like Super Greens to accommodate all colleagues.

Event Planning Checklist:

Confirm your final headcount.
Identify vegetarian or gluten-sensitive guests.
Determine the ratio of sides to entrees (aim for a 1:1 ratio of side trays to entree trays).
Add an extra side tray if the group consists of heavy eaters.

How Much Does Panda Express Catering Cost Per Person?

Panda Express catering offers an incredibly competitive cost per person, typically ranging from $6.70 to $11.00 depending on the bundle size and entree choices. Ordering the larger 26-30 Person Bundle yields the lowest per-head cost, making it highly budget-friendly for event planners.

Package Size	Estimated Total Price	Cost Per Person (Low End)	Cost Per Person (High End)
12–16 Person Bundle	$112.00	$7.00	$9.33
18–22 Person Bundle	$159.00	$7.22	$8.83
26–30 Person Bundle	$201.00	$6.70	$7.73

(Note: Adding premium entrees like Honey Walnut Shrimp will increase the overall price and cost per person).

How Many People Does Panda Express Catering Serve?

Panda Express catering serves groups of nearly any size by scaling up their party trays. A single side tray feeds up to 12 people, an entree tray feeds up to 14, and their pre-set party bundles effortlessly serve distinct groups ranging from 12 up to 30 guests.

What Are the Panda Express Catering Menu Calories and Nutrition?

Panda Express catering calories vary widely depending on your dish selection. Wok Smart options offer leaner nutrition, while fried items carry higher calorie counts. Nutritional information is calculated per standard serving rather than per entire party tray.

Orange Chicken: 510 calories per serving
Chow Mein: 600 calories per serving
Broccoli Beef: 150 calories per serving
Super Greens: 130 calories per serving
Fried Rice: 620 calories per serving

What Are the Best Panda Express Catering Combinations?

The best Panda Express catering combinations include a mix of popular entrees like Orange Chicken, Broccoli Beef, and Kung Pao Chicken paired with Chow Mein, Fried Rice, and Super Greens. This combination ensures balanced flavors, protein variety, and options suitable for different dietary preferences in group settings.

What Are the Best Catering Options for Small Groups?

For small groups of 12 to 16 people, the best catering option is the $112 Party Bundle featuring Orange Chicken and Broccoli Beef as entrees, paired with half Chow Mein and half Fried Rice. This combination hits all the classic flavor notes without overwhelming a small crowd.

What Are the Best Catering Options for Large Events?

The best Panda Express catering option for large events is the 26–30 person party bundle, which includes four entrees and four sides. This setup provides maximum variety, ensures portion balance, and delivers the lowest cost per person, making it ideal for corporate events, weddings, and large gatherings.

What Are Healthy Panda Express Catering Choices?

Healthy Panda Express catering choices revolve around the “Wok Smart” menu. These dishes contain fewer than 300 calories and provide at least 8 grams of protein per serving. Lean catering options include Broccoli Beef, Mushroom Chicken, String Bean Chicken Breast, and the Super Greens side tray.

What Is the Panda Express Catering Allergen Information?

Panda Express prepares all catering orders in a shared kitchen, meaning cross-contamination with major FDA allergens is highly possible. Ingredients containing peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and sesame are present. Panda Express explicitly states that allergens could be present in any entree.

Because dishes like Orange Chicken and Chow Mein rely heavily on soy sauce (which contains wheat), the menu is not safe for those with severe Celiac disease.

How to Order Panda Express Catering? (Step-by-Step)

Ordering Panda Express catering is a straightforward process best done online or over the phone. Ensure you place your order at least 24 hours in advance so the restaurant has adequate time to prep the large volumes of fresh food required for your event.

Go Online: Visit the official Panda Express website or open their mobile app.
Select Catering: Navigate to the specific “Catering” tab on the menu.
Choose Your Location: Input your address to ensure your local store supports catering and delivery.
Pick Your Bundles: Add your desired party trays, bundles, appetizers, and drinks to the cart.
Schedule: Choose a specific pickup or delivery time for your event.
Checkout: Process your payment and save your confirmation number.

What Are the Panda Express Catering Delivery and Pickup Options?

Panda Express catering offers both in-store pickup and delivery, though delivery is handled by third-party partners like DoorDash or UberEats. Minimum order requirements for delivery typically range from $100 to $150, and delivery fees usually start around $30 depending on your exact location.

If you are coordinating a massive corporate lunch, picking up the order yourself guarantees it arrives exactly when you need it and avoids common third-party app mishaps, such as missing utensils.

How Do I Find Panda Express Catering Near Me?

You can find Panda Express catering near you by utilizing the store locator tool on the official Panda Express website. Enter your zip code or city to view nearby locations, check their specific operating hours, and verify if they support large-scale catering deliveries to your address.

What Is the Difference Between Panda Express Catering vs Regular Menu?

The main difference between Panda Express catering and the regular menu is portion size and packaging. The regular menu features individually portioned bowls and plates for single diners, whereas the catering menu provides massive trays of food designed to serve 12 to 14 people from a communal buffet setup.

Are There Panda Express Catering Deals and Discounts?

Panda Express occasionally offers catering deals and discounts during major holidays, graduation seasons, or back-to-school periods. Large corporate accounts or frequent buyers might also negotiate discounts directly with local store managers. Joining the Panda Rewards program allows you to earn points on catering purchases.

What Are Tips to Save Money on Panda Express Catering Orders?

The best way to save money on Panda Express catering is to choose party bundles instead of ordering individual trays. Bundles reduce per-person cost, provide balanced portions, and eliminate the need for extra add-ons, making them the most cost-effective option for large group orders.

What Are Common Mistakes When Ordering Panda Express Catering?

The most common mistakes when ordering Panda Express catering include underestimating portion sizes, skipping side trays, relying on third-party delivery timing, and not checking dietary preferences. Avoiding these errors ensures smoother event planning and better guest satisfaction.

Best Panda Express Catering Orders for Different Events

Event Type	Recommended Order	Why It Works
Office Lunch	Medium Bundle	Balanced variety + cost efficient
Birthday Party	Large Bundle	Maximum variety for guests
Small Family Gathering	Small Bundle	Budget-friendly and sufficient
Corporate Event	Large Bundle + Premium Entree	Professional + premium feel
Casual Get-Together	2 Entrees + 2 Sides	Simple and flexible

Frequently Asked Questions

Panda Express requires at least a 24-hour notice for large catering orders to ensure the kitchen can prep the bulk ingredients properly.

Yes. When you order a catering package, standard serving spoons, paper plates, napkins, and plastic forks are typically included, though it is always best to double-check with the store.

Yes. You can order party trays of Eggplant Tofu, Super Greens, Veggie Spring Rolls, and Chow Mein (which is vegan-friendly).

Panda Express measures calories per serving. At 510 calories per serving, a full tray serving 14 people contains roughly 7,140 total calories.

No, drinks are not automatically included in the 12-30 person party bundles. Beverages must be purchased separately.

While you can easily do half-and-half sides on an individual plate, catering side trays come as a single item. If you want two sides, you must order a bundle that includes multiple side trays.

Panda Express does not add MSG directly to its food. However, naturally occurring glutamates are present in staple ingredients like soy sauce.

The black plastic bottoms are generally microwave-safe for reheating leftovers, but the clear plastic lids can melt and should be removed before heating.

Yes, but cancellations must usually be made well in advance. Check with your specific local branch regarding their exact cutoff time for penalty-free cancellations.

Yes. If you order directly through your Panda Express account, the dollars spent on catering will earn Panda Points that can be redeemed for future free meals.

Is Panda Express Catering Worth It?

When you consider the logistics of feeding 20 to 30 people, Panda Express catering offers exceptional value. At an estimated cost of $7 to $10 per person, it undercuts many traditional sandwich shops and fast-casual dining competitors.

The straightforward bundle options take the guesswork out of ordering, and the food itself holds universal appeal. The dishes hold heat well in their containers, meaning the food stays fresh and appealing from the moment it leaves the wok until your guests serve themselves. For effortless event planning on a budget, Panda Express catering remains a top-tier choice.