Francois Reihani – 20 Under 40

Francois Reihani founded La La Land Kind Cafe in 2019 to hire and mentor youth in foster care. It has since grown to 10 locations in Texas and California, including locally in the Pavilion on Lovers Lane and NorthPark Center.

Reihani’s passion for giving back, particularly for providing a hand-up for youth aging out of the foster care system, inspired him to start the We Are One Foundation to work with nonprofits, including Dallas CASA, on the issue. 

He had experience in hospitality, having helped found Bar Stellar and Pok The Raw Bar in Dallas’ West Village after transferring from the University of Southern California to SMU.

He combined his philanthropy and restaurant experience to start La La Land Kind Cafe.

“I was selling airplane parts when I turned 16, then selling cars for Volkswagen when I turned 18. In college at USC, I took as many internships as I could get, then transferred to SMU, where I ended up opening my first restaurant at 21,” Reihani said. “From there, my nonprofit got started, and (I) ended up putting together my passions and creating La La Land.”

“These kids have never done anything wrong and (were) just handed horrible cards in life,” Reihani said. “When they turn 18, we throw them out into the street and say, ‘Good luck.’ It’s a completely broken and ignored system that needs to be solved.”

Reihani hopes to continue growing his company in the future.

“(It’s) exciting to continue to see how we can think outside the box and revolutionize the industry,” he said.

What’s on your bucket list?

Going back to my hometown in Rosarito, (Mexico), to help shape a better community.

What would you tell an 18-year-old you?

Enjoy the moment. As we grow and succeed through life, it is important to also appreciate the journey and be thankful. It’s very easy to get lost in the work.

Which leadership skills were the most challenging for you to develop and why?

Learning to create real boundaries between you and your team while also having a caring relationship.

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first corporate job was selling cars for VW. I learned how to push myself and work ethic by being in an environment that was performance-based.

What are you most excited about for the future?

Growing the company with our team. Exciting to continue to see how we can think outside the box and revolutionize the industry. We love to be a bit crazy and play with the norms.