In this piece by Kofi Abunu he speaks about how, after 17 years in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry, he faced what felt like a crushing setback—a demotion. At first, it shook his confidence and made him question everything he thought he knew about leadership. But looking back, that “step back” became the space he needed to grow, rebuild, and rise even higher. Sometimes, the hardest detours are the ones that set you up for your biggest comeback.
When a step back sets you up for more
“After 17 years in the QSR industry, I got demoted.
I remember it like it was yesterday.
It was about a year after I joined Food Concepts. We were in a very aggressive expansion phase, running fast, chasing growth, trying to keep up with the scale. The pressure was intense.
At one point, I started to feel like I couldn’t keep up and began doubting my capabilities. Eventually, I was demoted. From Group COO to Country Manager. From sitting at the top of operations to managing a specific region.
This hit me hard!
In all my years in the QSR industry, that had never happened to me. I remember thinking, “This is embarrassing. Maybe I’ve lost my edge. Maybe I don’t understand this business anymore. After almost two decades? What if I just don’t have it in me anymore?”
For a moment, I was ready to walk away. I seriously considered leaving the industry. I even started thinking about what else I could do with my life. But after sitting with those thoughts for all of 5 mins, something in me shifted, and I had to shake myself back into reality.
So I stayed. And even though it felt like a step backwards, I committed to the role I’d been given. I put my head down, did the work, and gave it everything. A couple of years later, I was asked to return to my old role. And eventually, I became the Managing Director of the company.
That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: a step back doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Sometimes, it’s the space you need to recalibrate, to reflect, and to rebuild.
Yes, it was painful.
Yes, it shook my confidence.
But it also built something in me that no title ever could.
If you’re in a season where you feel like things are slipping, don’t be too quick to count yourself out. What feels like a detour might actually be preparing you for the next level.
Stay in the game. Do the work. Your comeback might be closer than you think.”
© Kofi Abunu