Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain, has passed away. He was 65. His family and company say he committed suicide after suffering from symptoms related to COVID-19, including severe tinnitus.
Taylor’s family and company confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday.
Tinnitus is a common condition where ringing or other sounds occur in one or both ears. Experts say the coronavirus can make tinnitus problems worse.
“Kent fought and fought like the former job champion he was, but the suffering intensified in recent days became excruciating,” the statement said.
Taylor recently pledged to fund a clinical trial to help military members suffering from tinnitus, the statement said.
“Kent leaves an unparalleled legacy as the people’s leader first, which is why he often said that Texas Roadhouse was a people company that happened to serve steaks,” the statement said.
Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana in 1993 with the idea on a cocktail napkin. It currently operates 610 restaurants in 49 states and 10 other countries. Texas Roadhouse is located in Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant driving force, whether it was quietly helping a friend or building one of America’s great businesses at @texasroadhouse,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said on Twitter. “He was a self-willed entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first.”
Taylor, who died Thursday, is survived by his parents, Powell and Marilyn Taylor; three children and five grandchildren. Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster said a small private service is scheduled for this week.
Need help? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741, the Crisis Text Line.