The Case for Quitting: Kevin Tien on Success, Sacrifice, and Starting Over

Could you quit at the top of your game–just as your dreams were coming true?  At the height of critical acclaim, Kevin Tien walked away from Himitsu, not because it failed, but because it no longer aligned. That decision rewired how he thinks about success, leadership, and the cost of ignoring your gut. In this conversation, Kevin opens up about leaving good money and momentum on the table, learning the hard way that growth without clarity leads to chaos, and why he now builds restaurants that invest in people first—even if it hurts margins. We dig into the emotional toll of misaligned partnerships, the power of complementary leadership, and how quitting isn’t weakness—it’s evolution. If you're stuck between what’s working and what’s right, this one's for you. To learn more on Moon Rabbit, visit moonrabbitdc.com. _________________________________________________________ Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass – This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand. Save your spot at restaurantbusinessschool.com Full Comp is brought to you by Yelp for Restaurants: In July 2020, a few hundred employees formed Yelp for Restaurants. Our goal is to build tools that help restaurateurs do more with limited time. We have a lot more content coming your way! Be sure to check out our other content: Yelp for Restaurants Podcasts Restaurant expert videos & webinars