A popular casual Chinese restaurant is in the works for Saline County.

There are now plans to open a Panda Express restaurant in Benton. CFT NV Developments, LLC of Las Vegashas closed on a 1.2 acre site in Benton along I-30. The deal was finalized Aug. 26.

“Panda will be a great addition to Saline County’s fast-growing restaurant community,” Todd Rice of Colliers International | Arkansassaid. “Its great visibility and easy-access to I-30 make it an attractive choice for commuters and residents alike.”

Rice and Mason Lewis, both of Colliers International, represented the buyer, while Brooke Miller of Flake & Kelley Commercial represented the seller.Colliers International has served as Panda Express’ exclusive Arkansas representative since 2009.

This is the second major piece of news about Panda Express this year. Earlier in 2019, Arkansas Money & Politicsreported that Conway was a potential candidatefor a Panda Express location. To date, there have been no further reported developments.

There are currently seven Panda Express locations in Arkansas, with the majority of the restaurants concentrated in the Northwest region of the state. Five of the restaurants are in Northwest Arkansas; the cities with Panda Express restaurants include Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Siloam Springs and Springdale. There are also locations in Hot Springs and Searcy.

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