The Texas-based coffee chain will use the investment to open stores across the US while promoting greater access to training and employment opportunities for youths transitioning out of the US foster care system
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La La Land Kind Café’s outlet in Montrose, Texas | Photo credit: La La Land Kind Café
La La Land Kind Café has raised $20m to scale its 11-strong coffee shop footprint across the US.
Founded as a social enterprise by Francois Reihani in 2019, La La Land Kind Café employs youths who are transitioning out of the US foster care system and towards independent living by providing paid on-the-job training, mentorship and assistance with job placement, housing, schooling and therapy.
Since opening its first outlet in Dallas in 2019, La La Land Kind Café has grown to 11 sites across Texas and California.
Reihani said the funding will both enable La La Land Kind Café to expand its coffee shop network and encourage more US businesses to adopt a similar hiring and training model to help disadvantaged young workers.
The new investment round was led by John Phelan, Founder of private investment firm Rugger Management LLC, and private investor Andy Teller.
“Francois and his team have built an incredible company. We are committed to supporting their growth and helping them achieve their financial and social goals. La La Land Kind Café is raising the standard of what we should expect from companies. A business can give back, care about the community, and serve high-quality products while being profitable,” Phelan said.
Reihani founded the non-profit We Are One Project in 2017, offering mentoring and therapy sessions, alongside education and housing support, for youth leaving foster care. He founded La La Land Kind Café to introduce a job placement element to the organisation.