I quit tech to make $2.3 million selling Halal BBQ
A former tech professional successfully transitioned to the restaurant industry by opening a halal barbecue joint in Texas. Despite high operational costs and the absence of pork, the business generated $2.3 million in its first year.
Why it matters
It highlights successful career pivots and the growing market demand for niche, culturally specific culinary experiences in the U.S.
Salahodeen Abdul-Kafi left a 14-year career in tech to open Kafi BBQ, a halal Texas barbecue restaurant in Irving, Texas. In its first year, Kafi made about $2.3 million in revenue without serving pork, one of the highest-margin items in traditional Texas barbecue. Kafi makes everything from scratch, including halal wagyu brisket, Iraqi-inspired sausage, beef-bacon Texas twinkies, fresh bread, and pistachio desserts. But running a halal barbecue spot comes with major challenges, including high meat costs, custom equipment, delicate lamb casings, and a menu built around expensive ingredients. Still, Salahodeen believes that one day, his joint could earn a Michelin star. Read the original article on Business Insider
The article is a straightforward human-interest business profile without political or ideological framing.
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