DALLAS — Read this story and more North Texas business news from our partners at the Dallas Business Journal
A bright and cheery coffee shop has expanded its footprint north of Dallas, aiming to draw a suburban crowd and bring warmth via its love of aesthetic and creative lattes to Plano.
La La Land Kind Cafe opened Feb. 24 at 2301 Preston Road, representing its first store in Collin County and ninth location in Texas. The chain, centered around giving back and spreading kindness, is near a Whole Foods Market and next to a Sephora, both part of a bustling shopping center in west Plano.
In just a few years, the Dallas-based company has rapidly expanded, with 13 stores between North Texas, the Houston area and Southern California. Founder Francois Reihani has melded business priorities with personal passions, and attracted tens of millions of dollars in backing along the way.
The store, which got its start in Dallas in 2019 off Lower Greenville Avenue, is known for employing and mentoring youth who have been through the foster care system — a passionate cause for Reihani.
Plano is also close to Reihani’s heart. When his family first moved to Texas from Mexico, they settled in the suburb, where they found a "beautiful family environment" and "the most welcoming people in the world."
"Plano made me feel like we were home," Reihani said in an email. "I am ecstatic to be back in Plano and able to add to this beautiful community. It has absolutely been a longtime dream."
Reihani founded La La Land when he was 23 and built it into a chain spanning two states and known for its clean, white interiors and yellow cup sleeves with uplifting messages. The company prides itself on bringing positivity to customers and having an impact in the communities it serves.
La La Land has secured significant financial backing for a retail business. Two high-profile investors — MSD Capital Chairman Emeritus John Phelan and angel investor Andy Teller — last year pumped $20 million into Reihani's vision.
"La La Land Kind Cafe is raising the standard of what we should expect from companies," Phelan said in a statement at the time. "A business can give back, care about the community, and serve high-quality products while being profitable."
Reihani thinks the Plano location will attract a wide variety of customers, from families and children to older adults.
Collin County is an alluring place for retailers, especially those who first built strong brands in Dallas. Katy Trail Ice House recently announced plans to open an outpost in Allen, next to new office buildings. The restaurant group's Katy Trail Outpost actually opened in Plano in 2013, in the same complex as the new La La Land.
The new La La Land seems to have be well received by the Plano community so far, drawing a huge line during its grand opening last weekend. Hundreds of people were wrapped around the building starting before 8 a.m., with wait times reaching up to three hours. The store offers unique items only available at the Plano location, including a white chocolate latte and drink branded as "World's Best Vanilla Latte."
"We are so blessed and grateful to be shown this much love," Reihani said.
While he would not reveal the cost to build the store, Reihani suggested a high price was needed in order to bring something "truly beautiful" to the community. A 2022 filing with the state suggested renovations would cost at least $50,000. The new shop plans to employ up to 40 people.
"I truly hope this becomes the place in the community where everyone walks into to feel good, enjoy life and make it feel even closer than it was," Reihani said.
