Panda Express Opens New Coon Rapids Location, Bringing Fresh Energy to Riverdale

COON RAPIDS, Minn. — Panda Express officially opened its newest Twin Cities restaurant on Monday, December 1, 2025, marking a notable addition to the Riverdale commercial district. The grand-opening celebration, hosted by the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, featured a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by employees, local business owners, and community leaders.

The new restaurant, located at 3465 124th Avenue NW, occupies the former White Castle building — a longstanding fixture in Coon Rapids that closed after 26 years of operation. Built in 1998, the 2,821-square-foot structure underwent a full interior reconstruction earlier this year after city building permits were approved for a comprehensive remodel. The project, valued at just over $1.13 million, transformed the site into a modern fast-casual dining space designed to meet Panda Express’s high-traffic operational model.

A Strategic Spot in a Busy Retail Hub

Positioned in the heart of Riverdale, the new Panda Express benefits from strong visibility and easy access in one of the city’s most trafficked retail corridors. Commercial listings for the property highlight a drive-thru configuration and an ample parking layout — features well suited to suburban dining preferences and essential for high-volume quick-service restaurants.

City officials have noted that the project reflects a broader trend of reinvesting in existing commercial properties rather than developing new ones, a strategy aligned with Coon Rapids’ approach to sustainable economic growth. Revitalizing the former White Castle site, they say, helps keep the Riverdale area competitive as retail and dining patterns continue to evolve.

Strengthening Panda Express’s Minnesota Presence

The Coon Rapids location becomes one of more than two dozen Panda Express restaurants operating in Minnesota, primarily concentrated in the Twin Cities metro. The brand’s American-Chinese menu — featuring staples such as The Original Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp and Broccoli Beef — has maintained broad popularity nationwide, fueling continued expansion in the region.

The company’s arrival is expected to generate approximately 40 new jobs, adding to the local service-sector workforce. As with many of the chain’s grand openings, the restaurant is also anticipated to engage in community-focused activities, a hallmark of Panda Express’s national approach to new-market celebrations.

A Welcome Boost for Riverdale

For residents, the opening of Panda Express adds a recognizable, mid-priced dining option to the area’s mix of national chains and local eateries. For the city, it represents a small but meaningful indicator of confidence in the Riverdale district’s long-term economic vitality.

As the doors open and the first meals are served, the restaurant’s debut signals renewed momentum for a commercial corridor that continues to adapt to changing consumer demand — and welcomes a familiar name to the neighborhood.

Welcome to the community, Panda Express.

MinneapoliMedia