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Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor dies at 65 after taking life following put up Covid battle

Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor dies at 65 after taking life following post Covid struggle

A man walks past a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Arvada, Colorado.

Matthew Staver | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Texas Roadhouse’s founder and CEO Kent Taylor died Thursday, the restaurant chain announced on its Facebook page. He was 65 years old.

Taylor died of suicide after battling post-Covid-19 symptoms, including severe tinnitus, the family said in a statement issued by the company. Tinnitus is typically described as ringing in the ear.

“Kent Taylor committed suicide this week following a battle with symptoms after Covid, including severe tinnitus,” the family said. “Kent fought and fought hard like the former course champion he was, but the suffering that had become so much worse over the past few days became unbearable.”

Taylor’s family said Taylor recently committed to funding a clinical trial to help military personnel with tinnitus.

“We will miss you, Kent. Because of you and your dream of Texas Roadhouse, we can say that we (love) our jobs every day,” the company wrote on Friday in a Facebook post.

The Louisville-based restaurant company announced Friday that President Jerry Morgan would be named CEO after Taylor’s death.

“While you never expect the loss of a visionary like Kent, our succession plan, which Kent led, gives us great confidence,” said Greg Moore, lead director of Texas Roadhouse.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer tweeted Thursday that the city had “lost a loved and unique citizen.”

“Kent’s kind and generous spirit has been his constant driving force, whether he’s quietly helping a friend or building one of America’s largest companies in @texasroadhouse,” wrote Fisher. “He was a sole proprietorship who embodied the values ​​of never giving up and putting others first.”

If you or someone you know has 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.

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Business

Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse Founder and C.E.O., Dies at 65

Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse Founder and C.E.O., Dies at 65

Kent Taylor, the founder and general manager of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain, died of suicide Thursday after suffering from symptoms of Covid-19, the company and his family said in a statement. He was 65 years old.

“Kent Taylor committed suicide this week following a battle with symptoms related to post-Covid, including severe tinnitus,” the statement said.

Mr Taylor struggled with the disease, but “the suffering, which has worsened greatly in recent days, has become unbearable,” the statement said. It added that Mr Taylor recently committed to “fund a clinical trial to help members of the military who also have tinnitus,” causing ringing and other noises in the ear.

His body was found in a field on his property near Louisville, Kentucky, Kentucky State Police told the Louisville Courier Journal. Oldham County’s state police and coroner did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday.

Mr. Taylor, who also served as chairman of the company’s board of directors, founded Texas Roadhouse in 1993. He wanted to create an “affordable” Texan style restaurant but was turned down more than 80 times trying to find investors. based on a biography provided by the company.

Ultimately, he raised $ 300,000 from three doctors in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and designed the first Texas Roadhouse on a cocktail napkin for investors.

The first Texas Roadhouse opened in Clarksville, Indiana in 1993. Three of the chain’s first five restaurants failed, but opened 611 locations in 49 states and 28 international locations in 10 countries.

Mr. Taylor was in the day-to-day running of Texas Roadhouse until his death, the company said. He oversaw menu choices, selected the murals for the restaurants, and personally selected songs for the jukeboxes.

Wayne Kent Taylor was born on September 27, 1955 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where his father, Powell Taylor, was an Army lieutenant. He grew up in Louisville, where his father worked for General Electric and his mother, Marilyn (miner) Taylor, was a buyer for a local boutique.

Mr. Taylor graduated from the University of North Carolina, where he received a scholarship.

In addition to his parents, his children Michelle, Brittney and Max survive Mr Taylor. and five grandchildren. He was married twice; Both marriages ended in divorce.

Greg Moore, executive director of the company’s board of directors, said in a statement that Mr Taylor left his compensation package during the coronavirus pandemic to support those on the front lines of the company.

Jerry Morgan, President of the Company, will succeed Mr. Taylor as General Manager. Texas Roadhouse will announce its next chairman at a later date, Doster said.

Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and minority leader, said in a statement that Mr. Taylor “didn’t fit into the shape of a great CEO.”

“Kent built a billion dollar company with creativity, drive and many bold risks,” said McConnell. “When the Texas Roadhouse stretched around the globe, Kent kept his heart and headquarters in Louisville.”

If you are thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). For a list of additional resources, see SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.