Crisp pastry, sweet syrup and pistachios are at the heart of the Kunafa Factory Richardson proposal. The planned dessert shop would bring its Middle Eastern sweets concept to 600 S. Sherman Street, Suite 108A, with an estimated $85,000 interior remodel of a 1,900-square-foot space.
For customers unfamiliar with its namesake dessert, kunafa offers a contrast of textures: a golden pastry layer over a soft, rich filling. The Richardson project remains in the planning stage, with no announced opening date.
The Dessert Behind Kunafa Factory Richardson
Kunafa, also spelled knafeh or kanafeh, has many regional preparations across the Middle East. Some versions use fine shredded pastry; others have a finer, semolina-based layer. Soft cheese or cream, syrup and crushed pistachios help give the dessert its distinctive character.
The appeal lies in that combination of crispness and richness. A warm serving can pair delicate pastry strands with a melting cheese center, while cream-filled versions offer a different texture. Recipes and toppings vary, so one preparation does not define the entire tradition.
In Smithsonian’s exploration of knafeh, chef and cookbook author Fadi Kattan describes its place at family tables and social gatherings. The article also traces regional variations in fillings and fragrant syrups. That range makes kunafa a shared culinary tradition with many local expressions.
An Existing Kunafa Factory Business in Arlington
An existing shop sharing the name, Kunafa Factory & Ice Cream, operates at 800 E. Sublett Road, Suite 180, in Arlington. Its Restaurantji listing describes soft and crunchy kunafa and lists pistachio-topped kunafa, baklava and pistachio ice cream among customer favorites.
Those listings offer context for the name, but they do not establish a Richardson menu. TCM has not independently confirmed a common owner or an official expansion announcement connecting the Arlington business to Kunafa Factory Richardson.
For that reason, the Richardson proposal should not yet be described as a second location or franchise. Its complete menu and operating details remain unconfirmed.
Kunafa Factory Richardson Plans on South Sherman Street
The proposed shop would occupy an existing suite at the Victory Shops / LaLa Market property in Dallas County. Victory Real Estate Group’s property portfolio lists LaLa Market at 600 S. Sherman Street, matching the project’s street address.
The registration describes an interior remodel, rather than a new freestanding building. It identifies LaLa Market LLC as the property owner and Design 3 & Associates as the design firm. Omar Ali appears as the tenant contact; that designation does not establish business ownership.
Dessert businesses also feature elsewhere in TCM’s Richardson coverage, including Howdy Homemade’s ice cream shop and employment mission. Kunafa Factory would offer a different dessert focus if the South Sherman Street proposal moves forward.
Construction Plans and What Happens Next
The publisher-supplied Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation registration, TABS2027003579, lists an estimated construction start of November 15, 2026, and completion of January 1, 2027. The $85,000 figure covers estimated construction costs and does not necessarily represent the full business investment.
The filing identifies the status as Project Registered. That status does not confirm that work has started, that all local approvals are complete, or that the shop will open on the projected completion date.
For now, Kunafa Factory Richardson has a proposed address, renovation scope and construction schedule. An opening announcement and confirmed menu would provide the next details for readers interested in trying its namesake sweet.