Case Study: Panda Express achieves faster service and smoother shift scheduling with Branch

How Branch Messenger Helps Feed Fast Casual Success for Panda Express

Panda Express, the family‑owned fast casual restaurant chain, faced day‑to‑day challenges in managing hourly staff across hundreds of locations—manual paper schedules, last‑minute shift holes, poor shift‑swap workflows, and the need to keep teams focused on fast, friendly service amid rapid growth. To address these issues, Panda Express adopted Branch Messenger (Branch) to provide mobile scheduling, shift trading, notifications and store‑level group communication.

Branch delivered a mobile-first scheduling and messaging solution that automated notifications, enabled quick shift swaps, and provided group chat for store teams. The result: roughly 90% of staff using the Branch app, faster coverage of open shifts (one store quickly filled a hole via the app), improved punctuality and accountability, reduced reliance on paper schedules, and more capacity for managers and employees to focus on customer service—benefits attributed directly to Branch.

Panda Express

Andrew Cherng

Chief Executive Officer