In 28, Forbes named "25 Famous Chinese Americans", and Cheng Zhengchang, the founder of panda express Group, who was born in Yangzhou, made the list, becoming the only Jiangsu native. It is understood that the 25 well-known Chinese Americans named by Forbes this time are all outstanding representatives of Chinese immigrants in the United States. While they have achieved good business achievements in the United States, they have been paying attention to the development of the motherland, including Steve Shih Chen, founder of YouTube, and Jerry Yang, founder and CEO of Yahoo.
Cheng Zhengchang, 61, was born in Huoqiao Town, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou City. In 1973, he went to the United States with his father and founded the Jufengyuan Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles, California. In 1983, the restaurant turned to Chinese fast food. When naming the fast food restaurant, Cheng Zhengchang thought of China's national treasure, the panda, which was also loved in the United States, and the first "panda express" was born. "panda express" fully embodies the combination of Chinese and Western cuisine and service. Cheng Zhengchang thinks that since it is a Chinese fast food, we should first keep the traditional characteristics of Chinese food, and at the same time, the dishes of "panda express" have been adjusted in taste, focusing on the sweet and sour taste that Americans like, and then slightly spicy. This not only satisfies the desire of Americans to eat Chinese food, but also fully takes care of their eating habits. It is very popular and has cultivated a large number of "panda express" fans. At present, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, headed by him and his wife Peggy, and has become the largest Chinese food chain in the United States, ranking 8 th in the list of catering enterprises in the United States. More than 6 branches have been opened in nearly 4 States in the United States, with 19, employees. The group's turnover exceeded $1 billion last year.
Being overseas, Cheng Zhengchang has always been concerned about the education in his hometown. As an overseas member of the Hanjiang District Political Consultative Conference, he has always maintained a pure heart. He not only donated 6 million yuan to build and develop the teaching building of Hanjiang Mingcai School, but also donated 2, yuan to his hometown every year since 1993 to reward outstanding teachers and students with excellent academic performance. In 23, he returned to Yangzhou for investigation and was hired as a visiting professor by Yangzhou University. After the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake, Cheng Zhengchang was deeply concerned about the compatriots in the disaster area, and called on overseas Chinese to donate money and materials, donating 1 million US dollars himself. Cheng Zhengchang and his "panda express" are the pride of Huaiyang cuisine, the pride of overseas Chinese in Yangzhou and the pride of China people.