In 1858, a group of Methodist ministers founded Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.

A century and change later, Andrew Churring met his future wife Peggy and immigrant from

Burma while both were students at the school.

Andrew, himself the son of a master Chinese chef from Jiangzhou Province, parlayed his knowledge

of Far East cuisine into a sit-down restaurant that newlyweds open to the Southern California

City of Pasadena, taking its name from the national animal of China.

The concept was a success and expanded its dining table service locations until in 1983,

UCLA football coach Terry Donahue and his brother, real estate mogul Don Donahue, persuaded

the couple to attempt a quick service version of their eatery.

Together they opened an express version of their IN concept at one of the most famous

malls in America, the Glendale Galleria.

In 1987, the chain introduced a Hunan-inspired dish developed by Chef Andy Cao, Orn's chicken,

which would become and remain their signature entree.

The sit-down originals solely faded away, but the leaner fast food addition endures and

thrives with 1700 locations across North America.

And to many in the US, it's the chain that defines Chinese cuisine.

This week on Do Boys, Panda Express.

Welcome to Do Boys, the podcast about chain restaurants.

I'm Nick Weiger alongside my co-host as always, the Spoon Man, Mike Mitchell, Hi-Dun Spoon Man.

I knew them well. I just want to say it to Spoon Nation.

Here we go.

Spoon Nation.

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