Chinese fast food chain eyes Leland for next location

A popular Chinese fast food chain has submitted plans to bring a location to Leland.

Site plans for a Panda Express are currently under review, according to the town's ongoing development webpage. The submitted plans show the 2,697-square-foot restaurant would be located in the growing Leland Town Center area near the intersection of Gateway Boulevard and Ocean Gate Plaza.

The restaurant will feature a drive-thru and parking on the site, the plans indicate.

Panda Express is a family-owned and operated Chinese fast food chain with 2,400 locations nationwide.

There are 28 Panda Express locations in North Carolina, two of which are in Wilmington -- one at Market Street and Van Campen Boulevard, and one on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. This Leland location would be the first in Brunswick County.

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Nestled along U.S. 17, Leland Town Center encompasses much of the area to the immediate east of the Walmart shopping center, along Ploof Road and Gateway Boulevard.

Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter/X @jameybcross.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Chinese fast food chain eyes Leland for next location