Hugs Café Inc. officially opened its new national headquarters in McKinney on July 2, moving its café operations, hospitality training program, and administrative staff into a single location. The 13,500-square-foot facility is situated at 221 Andrews St. and represents a $10 million investment in the organization's infrastructure.
Construction on the two-story building began in May 2025 and took just over a year to complete. The project involved developer KDC, with Corgan providing architectural services and Brasfield & Gorrie serving as the general contractor. The new site features a commercial training kitchen, four classrooms, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor patio, amenities that were not available in the organization's previous, split-up locations.
The expansion significantly increases the capacity of Hugs Café’s workforce development initiatives. Previously, the organization could train six individuals simultaneously. The new facility doubles that capacity to 12 trainees at a time, allowing up to 32 people to complete the 12-week training semester.
Development Manager Jennifer Buschman stated that consolidating the program under one roof creates a more seamless experience for participants, who now have access to classroom instruction, commercial kitchen equipment, and ongoing support from staff.
The capital project was supported by local community funding. The McKinney Community Development Corp. contributed $970,000 toward infrastructure work associated with the build. Hugs Café has operated in McKinney since 2013, and leadership attributes the ability to undertake this project to the city's growth and support from donors, volunteers, and local businesses.
Buschman emphasized that the organization aims to shift perceptions regarding individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is for visitors and employers to recognize the abilities and professional value of team members rather than focusing on disabilities. The organization plans to hire new staff for reception and facilities roles at the headquarters.
