My Panda Story: Mateo Perez, General Manager

"Joining this company was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Panda gave me a family, gave me the chance to better the lives of so many people, and has put me on a path to a future I could have never dreamed of." by Mateo Perez

I started my journey at Panda in 2019 as a Kitchen Help and within a little over a year, I worked my way up to a management role. I am now 23 years old and a General Manager of the Oxford, Alabama location.??

Before coming to this company, I had no idea how to make anything out of my life. I came from a very low-income household and grew up thinking possibilities for myself were gone forever. When I first applied at Panda, I thought it was just a normal food job where I could make some easy money. However, as the months went on, I started to create a connection with the people, the work, and the culture that Panda has built their company on.?

With all the opportunities and tools that Panda offered me, I was successfully able to create a career path for myself. I also became financially stable and was able to buy my first home at 21 years old. At Panda, I connected with people who grew up in similar situations and are trying to create a future for themselves by enrolling in learning programs at University of Panda, participating in the Panda Leaders Scholarship Program, and taking on leadership roles that Panda offers.?

Joining this company was one of the best decisions I made in my life. Panda gave me a family, gave me the chance to better the lives of so many people, and placed me on a path to a future I could have never dreamed of as a kid. I am excited for the years to come with this company and I intend to continue elevating myself and others to the highest level we can reach!?