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Panda Express hosting Chinese New Year bash

January 16, 2014

Panda Express will host, what it's calling, the "largest Chinese New Year celebration" on Jan. 31. Guests will receive a free single serving of Firecracker Chicken Breast, a menu item that is back just in time for Chinese New Year, according to a company press release.

Also, guests will get a Chinese traditional red envelope containing a surprise offer and can download a coupon for a free serving of Firecracker Chicken Breast at www.PandaExpress.com.

Firecracker Chicken Breast will be available in restaurants until Feb. 18 and can be included in Panda Express' Family Feast menu option. The Family Feast contains three large entrées and two large side dishes, perfect to bring home for the whole family to enjoy. Family togetherness is highly valued in Chinese culture and is particularly significant during the Chinese New Year holiday, the release said.

"During the Chinese New Year, families come together to celebrate with delicious dishes meant to bring good fortune in the upcoming year," said Andy Kao, Panda Express executive chef. "Symbolically, Panda's bold Firecracker Chicken Breast is a fitting entree to ring in the Year of the Horse because chicken symbolizes prosperity and joy, two unique attributes associated with the horse zodiac sign."

According to Chinese culture, the new moon signals the beginning of the Lunar Year and is the start of a 15-day celebration which begins with a grand feast on Jan. 31. The meal is so important that if family members cannot attend, a place is left at the table for them so they can benefit from the symbolic dishes. As part of the festivities, red envelopes filled with money are exchanged between friends and family and the red color of the envelopes symbolizes good luck. Those born in the year of the horse are said to be great communicators, cheerful, perceptive and often stubborn.

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