CHERRY HILL - A California-based chain of Chinese restaurants is expanding into South Jersey.

Panda Express, which has more than 1,900 "fast casual" outlets, expects to open eateries next year in Cherry Hill and Vineland, a spokeswoman says.

The Cherry Hill restaurant is to rise at a Walmart shopping center on Route 38 near Cuthbert Boulevard, according to the township planning board.

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The board will consider plans for the 2,600-square-foot drive-through eatery at its June 5 meeting.

A Panda Express representative said the Cherry Hill site was chosen "due to its visibility and high traffic, as well as … compatible demographics with our target customer."

"We look for locations that have a strong population base and a regional retail draw," said spokeswoman Camille Garcia.

The Cherry Hill store, expected to employ 20 to 25 people, will open in winter 2018, she said.

The Vineland store is to open early next year.

Panda Express, a family-owned firm that opened in 1983, has nine stores in Central and North Jersey, and four in the Philadelphia area, according to its website. The chain plans to open an outlet in Hamilton, Mercer County, later this year.

The Cherry Hill shopping center is also the proposed site of a 36,000-square-foot supermarket, to be built by the German-based Lidl chain.

The planning board also is scheduled to review the Lidl proposal at its June 5 meeting.

Jim Walsh; (856) 486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com