ROSEMEAD, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/12/12 -- Panda Restaurant Group, parent company of Panda Express and the nation's leader in Asian Fast Causal restaurants, is hosting its 5th annual holiday party for 181 elementary school students on December 14th in recognition of their accomplishments in "The Leader in Me" program. The students were selected by their teachers based on excellence in leadership and study efforts.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. at Panda Restaurant Group headquarters, 1683 Walnut Grove Avenue, where students from elementary schools in the Rosemead, Garvey, and Inglewood School Districts will be treated to a delicious Panda Express lunch and a special holiday program that includes performances by the Panda associate choir, a magician and a special appearance by Santa and his Panda elves, who will present students with gifts selected from their wish list.

"The Leader in Me" program is sponsored by Panda Restaurant Group through its Panda Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to support the health and educational needs of underserved children. This year "The Leader in Me" program is proud to welcome 76 additional schools into the program.

"The Leader in Me" is a school program that integrates timeless leadership principles with practical character and life skills relevant to today's challenges. By building self-confidence, interpersonal skills, elevating student achievement and reducing schoolwide discipline problems, this program helps children to become leaders in their field of interest.

"We value the opportunity to provide resources that enable children to become insightful and confident leaders," said Peggy Cherng, co-chairman of Panda Restaurant Group. "By empowering children with resources and opportunity through 'The Leader in Me' program, we believe that each child will be able to achieve their best."

Through the Panda Charitable Foundation, 103 schools throughout the United States are participating in "The Leader in Me" program, touching the lives of more than 59,000 children. Plans are in the works to expand the program into additional schools across the country.

About Panda Restaurant Group
Founded in 1973, with more than 1,500 locations, the privately-held Panda Restaurant Group is the world's leader in Asian dining experiences. The successful chain of concepts includes Panda Express, Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. Panda Express is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including their famous Orange Chicken™, SweetFire Chicken Breast™, Honey Walnut Shrimp™ and Shanghai Angus Steak™. For more information visit www.pandaexpress.com, or become a fan on Facebook.

About Panda Charitable Foundation
Panda Charitable Foundation's mission is to bring hope to children in need. Our purpose is to support non-profit organizations serving the health and education needs of underserved children. Learn more at www.pandacares.org.

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