20 for the Next 20: Dylan Ching, T S Restaurants 

As VP of operations, Ching is instrumental in maintaining the morale and trust of over 1,300 employees at 12 restaurants.

Dylan Ching began his journey with T S Restaurants as a busser at Maui’s Leilani’s on the Beach, working his way through high school and college.

Now, some 25 years later, Ching oversees operations at the company’s 12 restaurants throughout Hawai‘i and California, and is instrumental in maintaining the morale, trust and respect of over 1,300 employees.

T S Restaurants is a family-owned chain of destination restaurants that have been serving guests since 1977. Ching’s many positions within the company have included GM of Duke’s Waikiki.

He says working with people and running restaurants is what ignites his passion. “I’ve been around long enough to know and understand most of the life of a restaurant.”

Ching says he is passionate about service. “We have so many visitors and locals choosing to spend their special moments with us, and so many memories tied to our restaurants. It gives me energy when people share their stories.”

Ching was born in Honolulu and raised on Maui. His mom was professional surfer Laura Blears, and sports played a big part as he grew up, with Ching playing football, then coaching.

Coaching was “a calling and a passion,” he says. “I learned so many things participating in sports and coaching, and translated that into various leadership positions in the restaurant business.”

Ching has helped T S Restaurants navigate through many challenges, including the pandemic and the wildfires on Maui, which destroyed T S’s first location in the state, Kimo’s Maui.

“Our company has been around for a long time, and has a strong culture and tradition. We lean on the original values of our founders. That language and understanding is the compass we keep our eye on,” Ching says. “Using aloha in your core thought processes, in dealing with your people and community, the rest will follow.”

Jackie Reed, CEO of T S Restaurants, says “Dylan is an impactful leader who motivates, inspires and supports each location to make a meaningful impact in their local community and the state. … [He] embodies the aloha spirit.”

He serves on boards for the Waikīkī Community Center, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Bishop Museum Association Council and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Supporting numerous community organizations, many associated with environmental, ocean and keiki-related issues, comes naturally, Ching says. “We’re in Hawai‘i, we’re on the ocean, and many of our concepts are built on Duke Kahanamoku and his legacy. It’s about carrying the torch for those who came before.”