Kent Taylor, the co-founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse Inc., died of suicide, his family said, after suffering “unbearable” symptoms related to COVID-19.
Taylor’s family told McClatchy News in a statement that the executive experienced “severe tinnitus” and other symptoms.
“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,” said his family.
“We are saddened by the decision Kent felt he needed to make and we want to emphasize more than ever the importance of asking for help if you or someone you love is suffering,” they added.
The restaurant chain, which operates more than 500 restaurants in 49 states, also confirmed Taylor’s recent death in a Facebook post.
“We will miss you, Kent. Because of you and your Texas Roadhouse dream, we can say that [love] our jobs every day, “wrote the network in the post on Thursday.
The news comes almost a year after Taylor, a co-founder of the chain that opened in 1993, made headlines for giving up his bonus and base salary to pay his network employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
Taylor’s base salary donation came to just under $ 525,000 and his bonus was also $ 525,000, a company spokesman told The Hill at the time.
“On a prorated basis, the lost wages and bonuses would be almost a $ 1 million donation to employees,” said the spokesman at the time.
Greg Moore, the company’s principal director, told McClatchy News that “the selfless act was no surprise to anyone who knew Kent and his strong belief in servant leadership.”
“He was, without a doubt, a leader who prioritized people. His entrepreneurial spirit will live in the company he built, in the projects he supported and in the lives he touched ”, he added.
The company’s board of directors announced last week that President Jerry Morgan would assume the role of CEO of the company.
“Although you never expect the loss of a visionary like Kent, our succession plan, led by Kent, gives us great confidence,” said Moore in a press release announcing the change.
“Jerry’s operational history and more than 20 years of experience at the Texas Roadhouse will be instrumental in helping the company and the Roadies move forward after such a tragic loss,” he added.