A man passes a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Arvada, Colorado.
Matthew Staver | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor died on Thursday, the restaurant chain announced on its Facebook page. He was 65 years old.
Taylor died of suicide after a battle with post-Covid-19-related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, the family said in a statement released by the company. Tinnitus is generally described as a ringing in the ear.
“After a battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, Kent Taylor committed suicide this week,” said the family. “Kent fought and fought a lot like the former track champion he was, but the suffering that has intensified in the last few days has become unbearable.”
Taylor’s family said Taylor recently pledged to fund a clinical study to help military personnel suffering from tinnitus.
“We will miss you, Kent. Because of you and your dream of the Texas Roadhouse, we can say that we (love) our jobs every day,” wrote the company in a Facebook post on Friday.
The Louisville-based restaurant company announced on Friday that President Jerry Morgan will be named CEO after Taylor’s death.
“While you never expect the loss of a visionary like Kent, our succession plan, led by Kent, gives us great confidence,” said Greg Moore, principal director of Texas Roadhouse.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer tweeted on Thursday that the city had “lost a very dear and unique citizen”.
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant driving force, whether he was helping a friend discreetly or building one of America’s big companies in @texasroadhouse,” Fisher wrote. “He was an independent entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first.”
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on this link or by calling 1-800-273-TALK. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.