Restaurant designers are wok-ing hard to bring Maricopa a second helping of fast-food orange chicken. 

InMaricopa first announced Rosemead, Calif.-based Panda Express wants to build a second location on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway in July. This week, Panda No. 2 took another step forward. 

Monterey Park, Calif. design firm Gary Wang & Associates last week submitted site plans and elevations for the 2,700-square-foot drive-thru restaurant planned to be built just west of The Home Depot near Stonegate Road. 

Compared to the existing location on John Wayne Parkway, this one has modernized.  

It will come decked out with LED strip lighting around the pagoda-style roof and will feature an updated architectural style with “composite wood finishes and modern designed metal canopies” designed to “embrace the culture with a modern twist,” according to the project narrative. 

This is one of several restaurant repeats proposed in the Stonegate/Wells area. Starbucks is planning a fourth Maricopa location, another Burger King is on hold and a second Taco Bell recently opened its doors. Also proposed there is a second O’Reilly Auto Parts.