When Xianghua “Charlie” Zhang first came to the U.S. at age 24, he brought just $20 and his cherished clarinet.
Zhang had received a music scholarship to attend Pasadena City College. His dream of becoming a professional musician died during his first week in America when he injured his hand while cutting frozen chicken at a Chinese restaurant.
“The door was closed, and for a moment, I thought I didn’t have anything I could do,” he told an interviewer from City of Hope last year. “Yet I knew I had to keep going. I had to find something.”
That resolve led to a far greater impact on the arts than Zhang might have achieved as a musician. His many accolades from grateful beneficiaries of his arts philanthropy most recently included being added to Irvine’s Wall of Recognition, which includes more than 400 citizens and organizations. The wall was created in 2006 at Col. Bill Barber Memorial Park and honors those who have lived, worked or studied in Irvine.
A serial entrepreneur
In 1984, after spending four years working as a dishwasher – for 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week – Zhang combined his savings with investments from friends and a bank loan to open Shanghai Charlie’s restaurant in Capistrano Beach.
Over the next several years, he opened additional small restaurants in Orange County, and in 1989, he launched the fast-casual restaurant Pick Up Stix, eventually expanding it to 100 locations.
In 2001, Zhang sold the chain for $50 million and moved into real estate development through his new firm, Zion Enterprises. Another venture, Aseptic Solutions USA, manufactured nutritional beverages before Zhang sold it to Glanbia for $60 million in 2012. In 2024, he launched Gummy Maker, a contract manufacturer of nutritional and functional gummies.
A philanthropic legacy
Zhang’s business success financed an extraordinary philanthropic legacy, including his founding of Orange County Music & Dance, an acclaimed nonprofit performing arts school in Irvine that is mentioned after his name on the Wall of Recognition.
“God bless America,” Zhang declared after accepting the Orange County Business Journal’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award in 2025. His many other recognitions include an honorary doctorate from Cal State Fullerton and being named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.
Zhang and his wife, Ling, have supported the Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale and City of Hope Orange County, which recognized the couple in 2025 with the Ling and Charlie Zhang Art Gallery on its Irvine campus.
“Charlie and Ling are exceptional leaders who lead with passion and intention,” says Julie Virjee, board chair of the Pacific Chorale.
“We need to set an example and a pattern for the next generation,” Zhang said. “Maybe someone will say, ‘Charlie contributed to that,’ and want to do the same. Everyone can give on some level.”
2026 Wall of Recognition honorees
Distinguished Citizens
Charlie K. Choi, Gail Daniels, Robert F. Dannenbrink Jr., Rick D. Darnall, Ken Dory, Clara Valerio Flores, Avram Grossman, Candy Hammeras, Ann Hwu, Edward Sang Hyun Kim, Ed McNew, Annastasia Rose Myburgh, Robert “Bob” Pestolesi, Greg Pettit, Lorie Reed, Antoinette Rogal, Edward Rogal, Timorei Spaulding, Jane Stoever, George Varvas, Annette M. Walker, Charlie Zhang
Civic Leaders
Phyllis Agran, Chuck Bozza, Valarie Burlingame, Avinder Chawla, Allyson Maddy Dierdorff, Shawnn Gallagher, Youssef Kaddeche, Henry and Mary King, Virginia Nicols, Joseph Krueger, Lisa Osmanian-Weinfurter, Dick Owens, Rick Paikoff, Jeffrey L. Pierson, William “Bill” Russell, Ron Scolesdang, Kevin Trussell, Christine Tully
Roots of our Community
Families Forward, Tanaka Farms, Julie Zeoli, James Irvine I
Community Partners
I AM Movement
