Two restaurants planned in Highland

Ground has been broken on 1.6 acres in Highland that will be home to two fast-food restaurants.

The retail pads, at 27220 and 27734 Base Line St., will be occupied by a Panda Express and a Jack in the Box, according to a statement released Tuesday by Evergreen Devco Inc. in Glendale, developer of both projects.

Combined, both establishments will employ about 135 people. Both will have a drive-thru and indoor seating, and the Panda Express will have outdoor seating, according to the statement.

Each restaurant will cover about 2,500 square feet.

Evergreen, which specializes in multi-family and retail projects, has completed more than 500 developments since its founding in 1974. The company has offices in four states, employs about 50 people and is developing more than 60 retail and apartment projects, according to the statement.