“Our community and the restaurant industry have lost a legend, and the Taylor family has lost a wonderful son, father and grandfather this week,” a joint statement from Taylor’s family and Texas Roadhouse told CNN on Saturday.
The statement said Taylor died by suicide after a battle with Covid-19-related symptoms, including severe tinnitus or ringing in the ears, and his suffering has increased in recent days.
Taylor funded a clinical trial to help military members suffering from tinnitus, the statement said.
“Kent leaves an unparalleled legacy as a leader primarily for people, which is why he has often said that Texas Roadhouse was a company of people who just happened to serve steaks,” the statement said.
“It has changed the lives of hundreds of millions of employees and guests over the past 28 years.”
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant strength, whether he quietly helped a friend or built one of the great American companies in @texasroadhouse,” Fisher wrote. “He was an entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first. The deepest condolences to Kent’s family and many, many friends.”
Taylor created the idea that would later become Texas Roadhouse on a cocktail napkin, the family statement said.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1933, according to the company’s website, and has more than 600 locations in the United States and 10 restaurants in foreign countries.