Topeka’s second Panda Express has opened at 801 NW 25th St., at the corner of U.S. 24 and Rochester Road, giving the American-Chinese chain a foothold in North Topeka with the city’s first drive-thru for the brand. The new restaurant brings the chain’s staples, including Orange Chicken, Chow Mein, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Beijing Beef, to residents north of the Kansas River.
The address and intersection were confirmed by cjonline.com, which also noted that the opening finally gives Topeka foodies another fast-casual option north of the river. The chain’s own location listing places the restaurant at 801 Northwest 25th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66618, according to pandaexpress.com. The new spot marks the Capital City’s second Panda Express, joining the existing location at 1920 SW Wanamaker Road, Suite 160, as reported by ksnt.com.
A Drive-Thru First for Topeka
What sets the North Topeka store apart isn’t just its location — it’s the drive-thru lane, a first for any Panda Express in the city. ksnt.com reported that the new restaurant is the Capital City’s second location and the first with a drive-thru, a detail that should matter to anyone who has waited in a crowded dining room for a plate of Kung Pao Chicken on a lunch break. The restaurant also debuts the company’s new Panda Home design, according to wibw.com, giving the North Topeka build a different look than the older Wanamaker Road store.
cjonline.com reported that Panda Express held a soft opening on Oct. 31, while This is Topeka marked the restaurant’s official opening on Nov. 4. The chain’s own location page still describes the store as coming soon and offers ordering ahead for takeout or delivery where available.
Nearly 40 New Jobs for the Neighborhood
Beyond the menu and the new drive-thru lane, the opening carries a direct economic benefit for the area. The new location is expected to provide nearly 40 new jobs, per wibw.com’s reporting on the opening. New businesses like this one represent opportunities for more activity, convenience, and job openings in the surrounding neighborhoods, a benefit North Topeka residents have been watching for since the project was first announced.
The Panda Express location page says customers can order takeout or delivery where available and offers ordering ahead. Local outlet This is Topeka marked the opening as a community win, encouraging residents to share their reviews and favorite Panda Express orders now that the North Topeka store is up and running.
Part of a Bigger National Push
The North Topeka opening lands amid a period of rapid growth for Panda Express nationally. The company added a net 105 stores in 2025, its largest year-over-year development since 2016 and 2017, according to qsrmagazine.com. That pace has been climbing steadily, with net growth rising from 61 stores to 89 and then to 105 over three consecutive years, the trade outlet reported.
Panda Express projects even more expansion ahead, with 132 company-owned restaurant openings and 10 new franchised openings planned for 2026, per qsrmagazine.com. As of Dec. 27, 2025, the chain owned and operated 2,423 restaurants, and it reported 2024 average-unit volumes of $2.592 million alongside domestic systemwide sales of $6.199 billion. The company also counted 288 total licensed locations in 2025, split between 102 international sites and 186 stateside locations, according to the same report.
For North Topeka, Orange Chicken and a drive-thru lane are now within reach, and the restaurant is putting nearly 40 new jobs into the neighborhood.
