P. F. Chang’s China Bistro is an American casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1993 by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang that serves Asian fusion cuisine. Centerbridge Partners owned and operated Chang’s until acquired by the private equity firm TriArtisan Capital Advisors on March 2, 2019.[4] P. F. Chang's is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The chain specializes in American Chinese cuisine, plus other Asian dishes. P.F. Chang’s operates 300 locations in 22 countries[5] and U.S. airports,[6] including P.F. Chang’s To Go takeout locations.[7]
The name “P.F. Chang’s” is derived from Fleming’s initials (P.F.) and Chiang’s last name, with the “I” omitted.[8]
History
The chain was founded in 1993 by Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang, son of restaurateur Cecilia Chiang. The first restaurant was opened at the Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona.[8] In 1993, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. was formed from the acquisition of the original four bistro restaurants.[1] By December 2001, P.F. Chang's owned and operated 65 full-service P.F. Chang's China Bistro restaurants.[9] The company also developed its Pei Wei Asian Diner concept and operated five Pei Wei locations by the same date.[9]
2004 restatement
On March 15, 2004, Chang’s reported that it had modified its partnership accounting, which resulted in a restatement of its financial results for prior years.[10] On March 17, 2005, the company adjusted its accounting for leases in order to conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management and the audit committee determined that the company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements, including those in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003, and those in the company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first three fiscal quarters of 2004, should no longer be relied upon.[11]
2010s
In 2010, P.F. Chang’s Home Menu was introduced in supermarkets. The brand represents a group of frozen appetizers and meals that were sold under license by Unilever.[12]
In 2012, Chang’s accepted an offer from private investment firm, Centerbridge Partners in a deal valued at $1.1 billion.[13] ConAgra Foods, Inc. acquired the P.F. Chang's Home Menu license from Unilever in August 2012.[14][15]
In mid-2014, P.F. Chang’s confirmed that a breach had occurred targeting credit and debit cards used at their restaurants. The breach was initially identified by Brian Krebs, a cybersecurity journalist.[16][17]
In 2015, P.F. Chang’s filed for bankruptcy for its Canadian division.[18]
In 2017, Pei Wei was officially split from P.F. Chang's as a separate business.[19]
In December 2017, P.F. Chang’s announced that they would open a location in Shanghai during the first part of 2018, P.F. Chang’s first location in China.[20] The Shanghai location is marketed to local Chinese customers as American food, and has 10 menu items unique to the company's China operations.[21] Additionally, as of 2018 P.F. Chang's operates a restaurant in South Korea.[22]
In January 2019, Chang’s announced it was in talks to be sold to TriArtisan Capital Partners and Paulson & Co. for approximately $700 million from its previous owner, Centerbridge Partners.[23][24]
2020s
In January 2020, Chang’s announced its first P.F. Chang’s To Go[25] take-out only location would be in Chicago, Illinois.[26]
In mid-2020, P.F. Chang’s obtained more than $5 million in small-business loans as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (coronavirus relief).[24]
In February 2023, P. F. Chang’s signed an agreement with Indian company Gourmet Investments to open outlets in India.[27] The first P. F. Chang's outlet in India was opened on January 14, 2024 in Mumbai.[28][29]
Menu
The chain specializes in Asian fusion cuisine.[30] Special items on their menu include Chang's Lettuce Wraps, Chang's Spicy Chicken, Peking duck, and various types of sushi. Wine, specialty drinks, Asian beers, sake, cappuccino, and espresso are available outside standard beverage offerings.[1]
In September 2025, P.F. Chang’s launched a revamped menu, featuring a collection of cocktails, hand-rolled sushi, garlic noodles, half-sized appetizers, and choices between medium or traditional entrée sizes. Complete PF Chang's menu is not provided by official website.[31]
See also
- List of Chinese restaurants
- Pei Wei Asian Diner
- Panda Express
External links
References
- P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. FY 2011 10-K U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, January 1, 2012, retrieved May 17, 2012^
- Chef's Corner, Recipes and Tutorials P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., 2010, retrieved May 17, 2012^
- P.F. Chang's Wants to be The American Bistro of Shanghai Ad Age, 2018, retrieved April 21, 2018^
- Joanna Fantozzi. P.F. Chang's completes sale to TriArtisan Capital Nation's Restaurant News, March 2, 2019, retrieved March 4, 2019^
- Ron Ruggless. P.F. Chang's opens first restaurant in China Nation’s Restaurant News, May 2, 2018, retrieved March 23, 2022^
- Ron Ruggless. P.F. Chang's in talks about potential IPO: Report Nation’s Restaurant News, July 23, 2021, retrieved March 23, 2022^
- Ron Ruggless. P.F. Chang's accelerates expansion of To Go concept Nation’s Restaurant News, June 28, 2021, retrieved March 23, 2022^
- FAQs P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., 2010, retrieved May 17, 2012^
- P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. Form 10-K (fiscal year ended December 30, 2001) U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, retrieved 2026-01-05^
- P.F. Chang's Modifies Its Partnership Accounting^
- P.F. Chang's Announces Lease Accounting Changes^
- Products Unilever, 2012, retrieved May 17, 2012^
- Evelyn M. Rusli. Centerbridge Buys P.F. Chang's for $1.1 Billion The New York Times, May 1, 2012, retrieved July 15, 2019^
- ConAgra Foods Announces Agreement to Acquire Bertolli and P.F. Chang's Frozen Meals Businesses From Unilever PLC Conagra Brands, retrieved 3 July 2025^
- ConAgra Foods Completes Acquisition of Bertolli and P.F. Chang's Frozen Meals Businesses from Unilever PLC Conagra Brands, retrieved 3 July 2025^
- P.F. Chang's Confirms Credit Card Breach June 14, 2014^
- Nanci Hellmich. P.F. Chang's confirms breach in credit card data USA TODAY, retrieved 2024-08-17^
- P.F. Chang's files for bankruptcy protection as U.S. eatery loses way in 'ethnically diverse' Canada Financial Post, April 17, 2015, retrieved June 4, 2023^
- Emma Liem Beckett. Pei Wei acquired by private equity firm Restaurant Dive, June 5, 2019, retrieved January 6, 2026^
- Kate Taylor. Iconic Asian restaurant chain P.F. Chang's is opening its first location in China as an 'American bistro' Business Insider, 6 December 2017, retrieved December 7, 2017^
- Wayne Ma, Liza Lin. P.F. Chang's Brings Sort-of Chinese Food to China The Wall Street Journal, 2018-05-12, retrieved 2024-08-29^
- Jessica Meyers. P.F. Chang's comes to Shanghai, but can you really sell American Chinese food to the country that invented the wok? Los Angeles Times, 2018-05-25, retrieved 2024-08-29^
- Katherine Doherty. P.F. Chang's Is Sold to TriArtisan Capital and Paulson Bloomberg, January 10, 2019, retrieved July 15, 2019^
- Treasury, SBA data show small-business loans went to private-equity backed chains, members of Congress The Washington Post, 2020^
- Gillian Tan. PF Chang's is opening to-go locations in New York, meeting shifting consumer behavior Fox Business, October 19, 2020, retrieved March 23, 2022^
- Ron Ruggless. P.F. Chang's to open first of several To Go locations in Chicago Nations Restaurant News, January 15, 2020, retrieved January 20, 2020^
- Faizan Haidar. Bharti Family Office firm to bring US-based food chain PF Chang's to India The Economic Times, 2023-02-07, retrieved 2023-05-21^
- PF Chang's, America's Iconic Asian Restaurant, Launches Flagship Outlet In India Forbes India, retrieved 2025-07-15^
- Aatish Nath. P.F. Chang’s arrives in India at Mumbai’s Lower Parel Condé Nast Traveller India, 2024-01-12, retrieved 2025-07-15^
- Alicia Warren. P.F. Chang's CEO on worker shortages amid labor slump: 'Still understaffed in some locations' FOXBusiness, 2022-06-03, retrieved 2022-06-17^
- Julie Littman. P.F. Chang’s pushes value with new cocktail menu Restaurant Dive, September 24, 2025, retrieved 2026-01-04^