(CBSDFW.COM/CNN) – Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor died Thursday, according to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page. He was 65 years old.
“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.
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The statement noted that Taylor died by suicide after a battle with post-COVID 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.
Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor (credit: Texas Roadhouse)
“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.”
Texas Roadhouse is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer wrote on Twitter on Thursday that the city “has lost a much-loved and unique citizen.”
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“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. Deepest condolences to Kent’s family and many, many friends. ”
Taylor gave up his salary from March 2020 to January 2021 and donated funds to assist front-line restaurant employees during the pandemic, CNN affiliate WAVE reported.
A Facebook post on Friday said: “We will miss you, Kent. Because of you and your dream of Texas Roadhouse, we will say that we love our jobs every day. “The post used a heart emoji instead of the word love.
Taylor created the idea that would later become Texas Roadhouse on a cocktail napkin, the family statement said.
Texas Roadhouse first opened in 1993, according to the company’s website, and has more than 600 locations in the United States and 10 restaurants in foreign countries. There are 15 locations in North Texas.
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