April 24, 2025
Local News

DeKalb Panda Express closes permanently; Wingstop to re-open

By KATIE SMITH

Panda Express at 1015 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb is permanently closed and the space is up for lease. Meanwhile, the Wingstop directly nextdoor will remained closed for now, while the DeKalb Fire Department investigates possible arson at the business, Fire Chief Eric Hicks said. Wingstop is expected to re-open at an unknown time. (Katie Smith)

DeKALB – Lincoln Highway’s Panda Express has closed for good. The company decided to cut back on the number of restaurants in the area, DeKalb Community Development Director Ellen Divita said.

A Wingstop in the same strip also has closed and is expected to re-open, although the building’s owner, InSite Real Estate, could not say when.

The DeKalb Fire Department is investigating a suspicious fire at the Wingstop building, 1015 W. Lincoln Highway, Fire Chief Eric Hicks said. Officials believe the small fire might have been set maliciously inside the restaurant.

A sign on the door states the city’s administrative hearing officer revoked Wing Stop’s fire life safety license May 18. Although the popular chicken restaurant potentially could re-open, the Panda Express just next door is closed for good, Divita said.

“The Panda Express [closing] was very disappointing,” Divita said Wednesday. “Sales were steady and they want to see sales increasing at all their locations. Because DeKalb is home to three Pandas, they felt they could close one and still have sales climbing at the other two.”

The area has Panda Expresses at both 2434 Sycamore Road and at the DeKalb Oasis, 2700 Crego Road.

InSite Real Estate declined to answer questions over the phone about the restaurant and did not respond to an email from the Daily Chronicle.

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