Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor has died by suicide aged 65.
The restaurant chain introduced the tragic information in a Facebook put up, saying Taylor died on Thursday after experiencing from severe post-coronavirus symptoms, together with tinnitus.
‘Kent battled and fought arduous like the previous observe champion that he was, however the suffering that tremendously intensified in latest days grew to become insufferable,’ Taylor’s household mentioned in an announcement.
Taylor based Texas Roadhouse in 1993 after arising with the concept on a cocktail serviette. The first location opened in Louisville, Kentucky, the place the company is predicated. Today, it boasts 630 eating places in 49 states and 10 international locations.
Taylor held varied roles on the company, serving as chief government and chairman of the board till his loss of life. Last spring he made headlines when he gave up his wage to assist help frontline employees through the pandemic.
Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor (pictured) died by suicide aged 65 on Thursday
‘Our neighborhood and the restaurant business lost a legend and the Taylor household lost a beautiful son, father and grandad this week,’ the household mentioned in an announcement obtained by CNN.
‘Kent leaves an unmatched legacy as a people-first chief, which is why he usually mentioned that Texas Roadhouse was a individuals company that simply occurred to serve steaks.
‘He modified the lives of lots of of tens of millions of workers and friends over the previous 28 years.
‘We are saddened by the choice Kent felt he wanted to make and need to emphasize greater than ever the significance of reaching out for assist in the event you or somebody you’re keen on is suffering.’
The household assertion famous that Taylor had funded a scientific research to assist members of the army suffering with tinnitus.
Some analysis has proven that COVID-19 can exacerbate tinnitus, which causes a ringing sound in a single or each ears.
Taylor was additionally broadly praised final March when he determined to forgo his multi-million greenback wage up till January 2021 to assist hourly restaurant employees hit arduous by the pandemic.
‘What form of company does these items? Well, that might be a individuals company that occurs to serve steaks, that is who,’ Taylor wrote in a letter on the time.
Taylor based Texas Roadhouse in 1993 after arising with the concept on a cocktail serviette. The first location opened in Louisville, Kentucky, the place the company is predicated
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer paid tribute to Taylor on Twitter, saying the town had lost ‘a a lot beloved and one-of-a-kind citizen’.
‘Kent’s variety and beneficiant spirit was his fixed driving power whether or not it was quietly serving to a good friend or constructing one in every of America’s nice corporations in @texasroadhouse,’ Fisher wrote.
‘He was a maverick entrepreneur who embodied the values of by no means giving up and placing others first. My deepest condolences to Kent’s household and lots of, many associates.’
- If you’re in disaster, please name the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741.
- For confidential help, name the Samaritans on 116123 or go to a neighborhood department. See www.samaritans.org for particulars.
- For confidential help in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au or Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer paid tribute to Taylor on Twitter
