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Panda Express moves closer to opening at San Antonio airport

Panda Express moves closer to opening at San Antonio airport

Built World San Antonio, TX local

One of 14 new dining concepts coming to Terminals A and B

August 25th, 2026: Texas issues alcohol license for airport Panda Express

Overview

Updated 44 minutes ago

Travelers moving through San Antonio International Airport's Terminal A will have a Panda Express to consider. The chain received an alcohol license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on August 25, one approval among several needed before the restaurant can open.

The location is part of a wider airport dining refresh. HMSHost, the travel-dining operator that runs SAT's food service, is rolling out 14 new concepts across Terminals A and B. Construction was originally due to finish by May 2026; that timing has slipped, and no opening date is set.

Why it matters

Air travelers through San Antonio's airport gain one of 14 new dining options arriving across Terminals A and B.

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Key Indicators

1
TABC license issued for the airport Panda Express
One approval among several required before the restaurant can open to customers.
14
New dining concepts in SAT redevelopment
HMSHost is bringing these across Terminals A and B.
318
Panda Express locations in Texas
The chain already operates at least 13 restaurants in San Antonio itself.
13
Existing Panda Express locations in San Antonio
Count from before this airport location was planned.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

1973 August 2026

4 events Latest: August 25th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Texas issues alcohol license for airport Panda Express

    Latest Regulatory

    The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission grants one approval the Terminal A location still needs before it can open.

  2. HMSHost lines up 14 dining concepts at SAT

    Announcement

    The travel-dining operator plans new eateries across Terminals A and B, including the airport's first Panda Express.

  3. Panda Express launches at Glendale Galleria

    Founding

    The fast-casual chain starts in a mall food court and later grows past 2,300 locations.

  4. Panda Inn opens in Pasadena

    Founding

    Andrew and Peggy Cherng open a sit-down restaurant with Ming-Tsai Cherng, planting the seed for the Panda Express brand.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

June 1983

Panda Express launches at Glendale Galleria (1983)

Andrew and Peggy Cherng open the first Panda Express in a Glendale, California mall food court, building on their Panda Inn sit-down restaurant in Pasadena. The fast-casual format, built around items like orange chicken, catches on quickly.

Then

The small counter grows into a chain that expands first across California malls, then nationwide.

Now

Panda Express tops 2,300 locations globally, becoming one of the largest Asian restaurant chains in the United States.

Why this matters now

This San Antonio airport location is the latest step in that long expansion, moving the brand into more travel venues.

2000-2015

Airports shift to branded concessions (2000s)

U.S. airports began replacing generic food courts with national restaurant brands and local concepts, often run by concessionaires like HMSHost under long-term contracts. The shift aimed to lift revenue and traveler satisfaction.

Then

Airports saw higher food-and-beverage sales per passenger, and brands gained new exposure.

Now

Branded airport dining became standard, with operators such as HMSHost and SSP managing large terminal portfolios.

Why this matters now

SAT's 14-concept refresh follows this playbook, with HMSHost delivering the new dining mix that includes Panda Express.

Sources

(2)