Tue, August 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM UTC
Panda Express is no stranger to creating viral moments online with its launches, from bringing back popular fan favorites to teaming up with popular brands like Buldak for limited-time menu items.
But its latest launch isn’t just a limited-time offering: it’s a collectible. No, we don’t mean saving honey walnut shrimp in the fridge indefinitely (let’s be honest, it would just get eaten the next time you looked for a snack), but rather, adorable new bag charms that also raise money for a good cause.
The American Chinese chain is debuting a new, illustrated take on its beloved mascot, Pei Pei, and to celebrate the panda character, Panda Express is releasing new, limited-edition Pei Pei Blind Boxes, which will sell for $15 from August 8 through September 8 online and at select Panda Express locations. Net proceeds will support Panda Cares, the brand’s philanthropic arm.
Each box features one of three collectible bag charms:
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Waving Pei Pei: Pei Pei waves hello with red takeout pail backpack in tow, ready to make new friends!
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Good Fortune Pei Pei: Because good vibes (and treats) are meant to be shared, Pei Pei is spreading good fortune one cookie at a time, inspired by the 642 million fortune cookies Panda Express shares every year.
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Joyful Pei Pei: Pei Pei pops out of a red takeout pail, serving up the joy you feel when chowing down on your favorite Panda Express meal.
“Pei Pei has long represented the warmth and comfort that are central to the Panda Express experience,” said Andrea Cherng, Chief Brand Officer, in a statement shared with Parade. “That is why Panda Cares Day was the perfect moment to introduce this special blind box collection, which helps support Panda Cares’ mission to improve the health and education of youth in our communities. We are excited to pair this launch with a new digital series featuring Pei Pei that will bring this beloved character to life in new ways for fans of all ages.”
According to Panda Express, “Panda Cares Day is the brand’s annual celebration of giving back to communities across the country. Through partnerships with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Children’s Miracle Network, the foundation has served the health and education needs of over 16 million youth and counting.”
Fans on social media were thrilled by the news, taking to comments on popular food blogger Markie_Devo’s post about the launch to share that they “need the pop up box one,” and to point out that “as an FYI, 8 is a lucky number in Chinese culture, so August 8 (8/8) is lucky.”
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This story was originally published byParadeon Aug 4, 2026, where it first appeared in theFood & Drinksection. Add Parade as aPreferred
