New Delhi, June 27: Former Google employee Salahuddin Abdul-Kafi made headlines after leaving his lucrative job, which paid ₹4.2 crore annually, to open a halal barbecue restaurant in Texas. His venture, Kafi BBQ, has quickly gained popularity, earning over ₹21 crore in its first year.
Salahuddin, who previously worked at Microsoft, YouTube, and Cruise for 14 years, decided to leave the tech industry due to a growing dissatisfaction with the focus on profit over improving people’s lives. He expressed that he wanted to make a difference, which led him to join a non-profit organization before pursuing his passion for cooking.
The idea for the restaurant came from friends who praised his cooking during dinner parties and barbecues. Encouraged by their compliments, he decided to try something new in Texas barbecue, launching Kafi BBQ in December 2024. The restaurant’s opening was a success, with the food selling out on the first day, prompting him to cook again that night.
Despite the impressive earnings, Salahuddin has not taken a salary from the restaurant, relying on his savings to cover personal expenses. He invested around ₹8.4 crore to start the restaurant and is still working to recoup that investment.
Salahuddin’s background includes Iraqi parents, and his childhood experiences at a non-halal restaurant inspired his culinary journey. He continues to reinvest all profits back into the business, managing expenses for marketing and operations.
In a related story, Alvin, a former Meta employee, also left his job due to boredom and is now selling noodles at a local food market. He shared his journey on social media, which has gone viral, highlighting the contrast between his previous salary and his current earnings, yet expressing no regrets about his decision.
These stories reflect a growing trend of professionals seeking fulfillment beyond traditional corporate roles.