By AWE Staff
As Vice President, Restaurant Development at Panda Restaurant Group, Tabassum is responsible for directing the design and construction of all restaurants to meet the company’s growth goals. Tabassum leads the creation of new store design concepts to maintain and develop both the Panda Express brand & the company’s full service dining brand, Panda Inn.
In her role, she leads a multi-tiered staff of directors, managers, supervisors, professionals, and support staff covering the diverse functions of Architecture and Design, Facilities, Construction, and Strategic Sourcing group. One of Tabassum’s key responsibilities is to ensure compliance throughout the company with brand guidelines for all concept restaurants and establishing the company’s Restaurant Development policies and procedures covering company-owned stores and licensees.
Responsible for the company’s Restaurant Development strategic planning efforts, Tabassum advises ownership and senior leaders on the next generation of restaurant design concepts. She develops the company’s new store opening and a proactive remodeling plan based on construction schedules, arrangement of new leases and provides full support for opening company-owned stores in international markets including training of international franchise operations on restaurant development.
Combining early international work experience in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, training as an architect & interior designer, Tabassum holds a master’s degree in International Business. She is currently in an Executive Coaching certification program and aspires to use her experience and skills to develop people in their career.