Panda Express Signs Lease for Hamden Plaza Location
The fast-food chain is set to take over a space formerly occupied by a Panera Bread restaurant.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Dining Out
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Panda Express has officially signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot space in Hamden Plaza. The site had remained vacant for more than a year following the relocation of a previous tenant.
Why it matters
The new arrival marks the third location for the chain in Connecticut, expanding its presence beyond existing sites in Ledyard and Milford. This addition fills a long-standing retail vacancy in the shopping center.
Panda Express will occupy a 1,500-square-foot space in Hamden Plaza. This site serves as the third location for the chain in Connecticut.
The players
Panda Express
This American fast-food restaurant chain specializes in American Chinese cuisine.
Panera Bread
This national chain of bakery-café fast-casual restaurants operates locations throughout the United States.
The details
The restaurant will occupy the storefront previously held by Panera Bread before that business moved to The Marketplace at Hamden in 2025. Panda Express has been in operation since its founding in 1983.
Timeline
Panda Express was launched in 1983.
Panera Bread relocated to The Marketplace at Hamden in 2025.
U.S. diners consumed 148 million pounds of orange chicken in 2025.
Panda Express signed the lease for the Hamden Plaza site in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion in Hamden follows the documented trend of high national demand for the chain's signature orange chicken, which saw 148 million pounds consumed in the U.S. in 2025. This growth reflects the ongoing popularity of quick-service dining models in regional shopping hubs.
Shoppers in Hamden Plaza will soon have a new dining option available in the space previously occupied by Panera Bread. The restaurant's arrival aims to revitalize a storefront that had been sitting vacant for more than a year.
The takeaway
The addition of this location marks a steady expansion for the brand within the Connecticut market. Residents should monitor the storefront for renovation updates as the site prepares for its future opening.
Further reading
For more updates on local restaurant openings, visit the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by stamford advocate.
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