PLANO, Texas — This story was originally published by our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal. Read the original version here.
A popular Indian street food chain that got its start in New York City has now expanded to Plano, just four months after opening its first Texas location in downtown Dallas.
The newest Kati Roll Company at 5588 State Hwy 121 opened Aug. 24 at the border of Frisco, just off of the Dallas North Tollway. Plano is no stranger to Indian cuisine, and this newest fast casual restaurant adds to the diverse dining landscape found in Collin County, an area that has seen explosive growth in recent years.
Indian Americans account for nearly 7.5% of population in Collin County, north of Dallas County, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Franchise owner of the newest Plano and downtown Dallas stores, Hebron Sher, alluded to a possible location in Plano back when his first store opened in April. Sher, who is originally from London and wanted to bring Indian flavor to Texas, was also the company’s first franchisee.
The Dallas restaurant is about 2,200 square feet and can accommodate up to 50 people, while the Plano store is 1,800 square feet and can seat up to 75 people.
Sher said the Plano store's grand opening was packed, attracting crowds from Austin, San Antonio and Houston to try out a kati roll, which are lightly fried handheld wraps filled with skewer-roasted kebab and chutney. These rolls trace their origins to street vendors in Kolkata, a city in eastern India that's the capital of West Bengal.
Known for its chicken tikka wraps and masala chips, the eatery has seen success at its downtown Dallas location as a lunchtime spot. In contrast to the upscale dining options in the area, Kati Roll stands as a casual restaurant with rolls selling for around $10 to $12.
Sher said that some customers know the brand from New York, while others are trying it out for the first time and have since added the restaurant to their weekly lunch rotation.
Many diners also flock to the eatery for a late night, post-party snack, as it closes on midnights Friday and Saturday. The suburban Plano location is no different and maintains the same hours as the Dallas one.
Kati Roll is eyeing future expansion in Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas, with a store planned for Richardson in late 2024. Next are possible stores in Houston and Austin.
