The business problem
Panda Express is opening one new location next quarter. Five candidate sites have made the short list. Each has a different cost basis, traffic profile, competitive density, and labor pool. Your job is to weight the factors that matter, score each site, and recommend one — with the kind of analysis a real-estate committee can defend to the board.
Why two files
Excel is the format real-estate teams use. The Python notebook shows the same analysis at scale and adds a quick map. Doing both deepens your understanding; either alone is sufficient.
Case kit
Everything you need
- Panda Express — Site Selection WorkbookFive sites, weighted factors, scoring rubric.
- Panda Express — Site Analysis NotebookPython walkthrough of the same analysis with a map view.
- Break-Even Analysis (Excel)Useful for sizing the capacity plan that follows the site choice.
Deliverable
A one-slide recommendation to the real-estate committee:
- The pick. One site, with the weighted score that wins it.
- The risk you accepted. The factor that scored lowest at your winner, and why you accepted it.
- The capacity plan. Initial store size and the break-even date.
Topics you'll be applying
- Decision 1 — Process Choice · a fast-casual restaurant is its own process type
- Decision 3 — Sourcing & Logistics · factor rating and supply lanes