Gold Kist becomes key supplier of Panda's orange chicken

ATLANTA — Gold Kist Inc., the nation's third largest chicken processor, has become a key supplier of Panda Express's most popular entree, Orange Chicken.

 

According to a news release, Gold Kist will produce lightly battered boneless chicken bites for Panda Express, the nation's largest Chinese quick-service restaurant chain. In addition, Gold Kist will be supplying fully cooked Mandarin Chicken and other chicken products to Panda Express in 2007.

 

"This product has been a challenge because of the product's sophistication and tight specifications. We did a lot of research with Panda Express store managers to get a true sense of the ideal product and went beyond conventional practices in development of the Orange Chicken production process," said Don McFarland, Gold Kist further processing plant manager.