MCKINNEY, TX — KDC and Hugs Café Inc. recently completed the new $10 million Hugs Headquarters, marking an investment in workforce development and expanded employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hugs Café Inc. is a social enterprise and nonprofit organization dedicated to providing training and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The new 13,500-square-foot national headquarters, located in McKinney, Texas, is a first-of-its-kind facility bringing together Hugs Café, the Hugs Training Academy, and administrative offices under one roof. The centralized hub is designed to expand program capacity, strengthen community engagement, and support the organization’s long-term growth.
“This new space allows us to grow our programs and serve more individuals than ever before,” said Lauren Smith, CEO at Hugs Café Inc. “It represents a major step forward in our mission to create meaningful training and employment opportunities. We are deeply grateful for the community support and partnerships that have helped bring this vision to life and continue to make our work possible every day.”
Designed to support both learning and collaboration, the facility features a training academy, a commercial training kitchen, four classrooms, a rooftop deck, and outdoor patio. The space also includes administrative offices, dedicated learning areas, and flexible workspaces that foster connections among instructors and staff, creating a dynamic environment for education, growth, and day-to-day operations. The new headquarters was designed to significantly expand the organization’s training capacity, positioning Hugs to broaden its local impact while scaling its model to reach communities nationwide.
Construction on the facility began in May 2025. KDC served as the project developer, Corgan as the architect, and Brasfield & Gorrie as the project’s general contractor. Valliance Bank provided strategic financial support.
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“Bringing this vision to life alongside Hugs Café Inc. is a meaningful opportunity for KDC to support individuals seeking personalized training and a pathway into the workforce,” said Eric Hage, KDC President. “We’re grateful to the Hugs Café team and our fellow donors for allowing us to play a role in creating lasting impact for these individuals and their families.”
Hugs and KDC celebrated the completed facility with a ceremony and ribbon cutting as well as tours of the facility. McKinney Mayor Bill Cox and McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) Chair and former Mayor George Fuller joined KDC and Hugs leadership to commemorate the occasion.
The new headquarters and training facility were made possible by the support of KDC, H-E-B, Sammons Enterprises Inc., Compatriot Capital, CA Hartnell, Brasfield & Gorrie, Lynn Family Foundation, MCDC, McKinney Arts Commission, The Mabee Foundation, Tomes Auto Group, Sue and Gary Reichling, FS Foundation, the Hugs Board, and individual donors.
Hugs Café is the organization's flagship social enterprise, creating employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an inclusive café environment. Founded in 2015 by Ruth Thompson, the original McKinney café has grown into a nationally recognized model that now includes two café locations, two Hugs Training Academies, a national headquarters, and a growing network of affiliate partners across the country.
