In November of 2012, Hawkins Companies began the process to bring Idaho its first Trader Joe’s. Located in the heart of Downtown Boise, 300 South Capitol, will become the home to Idaho’s most unique neighborhood grocery store. We invite you to learn more about the institutions that will locate at this one of a kind shopping center:
First Trader Joe's Pasadena, CA
It all started in the 50s... Would you believe we started out as a small chain of convenience stores? It's true. Way back in 1958. We were called Pronto Markets. In '67, our founder, the original Trader Joe, changed our name (yes, to Trader Joe's) and the way we do business. We made the stores bigger (if you can imagine), decked the walls with cedar planks and donned our crew in cool Hawaiian shirts. Most importantly, we started putting innovative, hard-to-find, great-tasting foods in the "Trader Joe's" name. That cut our costs and saved you money. Still does.
1967 : The first Trader Joe's opened its doors in Pasadena, California. Still there today - same spot, same parking lot.
1988 : We took our first big leap outside of Southern California into Northern California where we opened a store in the city of San Rafael. And it was a leap year.
1993 : We started opening our first stores outside of The Golden State, beginning in the Valley of the Sun, aka Phoenix, AZ.
1995 : We opened our first stores in the Pacific Northwest - starting in Beaverton, OR and shortly thereafter in Bellevue, WA... Later that year, Nevada, the 36th state in the union, became home to the 70th Trader Joe's, as we opened a neighborhood grocery store in the city of Henderson.
1997 : Our real estate guy traveled from California to Boston for the first time and opened the sunroof of his rental car. In February. With 5 inches of snow on top of it. In a much smarter move, we opened our first EC store in Brookline, MA. Dancing in the aisles ensued (literally).
2000 : We opened our first two Midwest stores. One in Chicagoland in Glen Ellyn, Il & one in Northbrook, Il. On the same day.
2006 : "Start spreading the news..." Trader Joe's opened in downtown Manhattan on St. Patrick's Day. Later that year... Trader Joe's entered the southeast, a region known for its distinctive cuisine (makes sense), opened a store in Roswell, GA, followed shortly by Cary, NC.
The Panda story began when Andrew Cherng, a young man from the picturesque Yangzhou region of China, came to the United States to pursue his American dream. With little money but a lot of heart, Andrew and his father Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng started the first Panda Inn restaurant in Pasadena, Calif. The fine dining restaurant introduced the robust flavors of Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine to Southern California and became the inspiration and standard for the Panda Express restaurants that are loved across the world today. With the help and support of his wife Peggy, Andrew knew that quality meals made with fresh and premium ingredients served fast and hot would win over the hearts and stomachs of hungry guests. Today, Andrew and Peggy's vision and passion continue to guide the growth of Panda Express across the United States and abroad.
Panda Express has 1,585 restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and is America's fastest growing Chinese restaurant concept.
1973: Andrew Cherng opens the first Panda Inn in Pasadena, Calif., with his father, Master Chef Ming-Tsai Cherng. Panda Inn was one of the first restaurants to introduce the robust flavors of Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine to Southern California.
1983: After the success of Panda Inn, Andrew Cherng opens the first Panda Express. The restaurant is located in the Glendale Galleria in California, and the new concept is a pioneer in the quick-service Chinese food market and quickly becomes the Chinese food of choice for consumers and developers.
1987: Panda Express expanded operations, opening its first location outside of California in the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu.
1988: Panda Express is the first quick-service to open in a supermarket with its Vons/Pavilions location in Arcadia, Calif.
1991: Panda Express opens its first street location in Long Beach, Calif.
1993: Panda Express celebrates its 10-year mark with its 100th restaurant opening. Also, the first Panda Express university location opens at UCLA, and the company opens its first free-standing location in Barstow, Calif.
1997: Panda Express opens its first drive-thru location in Hesperia, Calif.
2002: Panda Express celebrates its 500th opening in San Diego.
2006: Panda Express opens its 888th restaurant in Sacramento, Calif. Eight is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture, so this opening is particularly exciting.
2007: Panda Express opens its 1,000th location in Pasadena, Calif., and achieves $1 billion in revenue for the first time. Panda Restaurant Group was ranked No. 1 by QSR Magazine in the Asian quick-service category in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
2008: As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, Panda Express gives some competition to its top-selling dish, Orange Chicken, by launching a new entree — Beijing Beef™— which quickly proved itself as one of Panda's top-selling dishes.
2011: Panda opens its first international location in Mexico City and continues to grow with 1,585 restaurants in 48 states.
2013: Panda Express proudly celebrates 30 years of inspiring lives, highlighted by 23,000 associates, over 1600 stores in 48 States and abroad.
When I opened the first Chipotle in Denver, Colorado I certainly didn’t have any intention of opening more than just one restaurant. I just wanted to build a place where you could eat delicious food made of the finest ingredients quickly and affordably. As it turns out, it was an idea people could get behind. ---Steve Ells
1993: First Chipotle opened at a former Dolly Madison ice creal location.
1995: Added second and third Chipotle locations.
1996: Opened five more Denver area restaurants.
1999: First Chipotles opened outside of Colorado: Minneapolis, MN and Columbus, OH.
2000: Started serving naturally raised pork. As of 2010, 100% of our pork is naturally raised.
2002: Started serving naturally raised chicken. We now get 100% of our chicken from farms that meet these high standards.
2004: Ahead of the curve, Chipotle starts using zero trans fat frying oil.
2006: Chipotle goes public on New York Stock Exchange.
2007: Over 60% of our beef is naturally raised. Now we serve 100% naturally raised beef in our restaraunts.
2007: No more using cheese or sour cream with rBGH for Chipotle.
2008: As of 2010, 40% of our black beans are certified organic and our local food initiative is taking off!
2009: Steve Ells testifies before Congress to try to eliminate the use of antibiotice in ranching.
