Texas Roadhouse CEO took his own life while suffering from COVID-19

Ryan Dickinson

Kent Taylor, the CEO and founder the national restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse has passed away.

Taylor was battling COVID-19 and according to a statement released by the company, had become unbearable.

“Our community and the restaurant industry lost a legend and the Taylor family lost a wonderful son, father and grandad this week,” the company said. “After a battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, Kent Taylor took his own life this week. Kent battled and fought hard like the former track champion that he was, but the suffering that greatly intensified in recent days became unbearable.”

The company said Kent leaves an unmatched legacy as a people-first leader, which is why he often said that Texas Roadhouse was a people company that just happened to serve steaks.


“He changed the lives of hundreds of millions of employees and guests over the past 28 years. He also impacted hundreds of thousands of people through his generous and often anonymous donations,” the company said.

Kent famously created what would eventually become Texas Roadhouse on a cocktail napkin. He leaves behind a legendary company led by his hand-picked Leadership Team fueled by the passion of Roadies in communities around the world.

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