This photo provided by the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain shows the company’s founder and CEO, Kent Taylor. Taylor died, according to the family and the company on Sunday, March 21, 2021. | Ron Bath, Texas Roadhouse
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) – Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain, died. He was 65 years old. His family and the company say he committed suicide after suffering from symptoms related to COVID-19, including severe tinnitus.
Taylor’s family and the company on Sunday confirmed his death in a statement.
Tinnitus is a common condition that involves tinnitus or other noises in one or both ears. Experts say the coronavirus can exacerbate tinnitus problems.
“Kent fought and fought a lot like the former track champion he was, but the suffering that has intensified a lot in the last few days has become unbearable,” the statement said.
Taylor recently pledged to fund a clinical study to help military personnel suffering from tinnitus, the statement said.
“Kent leaves an unparalleled legacy as a leader who prioritizes people, which is why he used to say that Texas Roadhouse was a company of people who happened to serve steaks,” the statement said.
Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse restaurant in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana, taking the idea on a napkin. It currently operates 610 restaurants in 49 states and 10 other countries. Texas Roadhouse is headquartered in Taylor’s hometown, Louisville, Kentucky.
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant driving force, whether it was helping a friend discreetly or building one of America’s big companies at @texasroadhouse,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Twitter. “He was an independent entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first.”
Taylor, who died on Thursday, leaves his parents, Powell and Marilyn Taylor; three children and five grandchildren. Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster said a small private service is planned for this week.