Founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain giant, Kent Taylor died this past week. It has been found that he took his own life after suffering from symptoms related to COVID-19. He was 65 at his time of death.
“After a battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, Kent Taylor took his own life this week,” the family said. “Kent battled and fought hard like the former track champion that he was, but the suffering that greatly intensified in recent days became unbearable.”
Taylor recently committed to funding a clinical study to help military members suffering from tinnitus, the statement said.
“We will miss you, Kent. Because of you and your dream of Texas Roadhouse, we get to say we (love) our jobs every day,” the company wrote in a Facebook post on Friday.
“Kent leaves an unmatched legacy as a people-first leader, which is why he often said that Texas Roadhouse was a people company that just happened to serve steaks,” the statement said.
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant driving force whether it was quietly helping a friend or building one of America’s great companies in @texasroadhouse,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said on Twitter. “He was a maverick entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first.”
Taylor, who died Thursday, is survived by his parents, Powell and Marilyn Taylor; three children, and five grandchildren. Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster said a small private service is planned this week. Please if you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at this link or by calling 1-800-273-TALK. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
