Panda Express will cut the ribbon on its third St. Johns County restaurant next Tuesday, bringing the orange-and-black fast-food chain to a fast-growing stretch of International Golf Parkway near World Golf Village. The grand opening is set for 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 at 3337 International Golf Parkway, with the celebration expected to include free collectible bag charms and a charity donation tied to the launch.
A Third Location Lands Near a Future Walmart
The new restaurant will celebrate its grand opening at 3337 International Golf Parkway on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., according to St. Johns Citizen. The location sits near World Golf Village in a development near the Interstate 95 interchange that is anchored by a rapidly emerging 180,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter, the outlet reports. The planned restaurant is a 2,614-square-foot building at Parcel 2D, with Bowman Consulting Group serving as civil engineer, according to Jacksonville Daily Record.
County records show the eatery is joining Chipotle Mexican Grill at the site of the future Walmart Supercenter in World Golf Village, the station's report notes. This will mark Panda Express's third outpost in St. Johns County, following locations that opened in 2012 and in late 2023.
Ribbon-Cutting, Donation and Free Charms Planned
The opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a $1,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, per the same account. Customers who buy a Plate or Bigger Plate will also receive a limited-edition collectible bag charm while supplies last. The menu at the new location will include the chain's staples, such as Honey Walnut Shrimp and Broccoli Beef.
Panda Express Area Coach of Operations Jose Alvarenga framed the opening as a milestone for the company's presence in the region. “Our entire Panda team is grateful to be joining the St. Augustine community while providing new jobs and supporting local organizations,” Alvarenga said. Panda Express describes itself as the largest Asian dining chain in the United States, with more than 2,500 locations nationwide.
Building on Earlier St. Johns County Roots
The chain opened its first county location at 1934 U.S. 1 in St. Augustine in 2012 and added a second in the Beachwalk area in late 2023, according to the same report. That Beachwalk restaurant, located at 575 Beachwalk Shore Drive in Saint Johns, debuted a new store design inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and modern motifs when it opened Dec. 18, 2024, as reported by The Florida Times-Union.
Panda Express was founded in 1983 by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, who remain co-CEOs, and the company remains family-owned and operated, according to the Times-Union. With the World Golf Village location set to open its doors, St. Johns County will have three Panda Express restaurants spread across more than a decade of growth in the area.
