LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Kent Taylor, founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain, has died. He was 65 years old. His family and company say he ended his life after suffering from COVID-19-related symptoms, including severe tinnitus.
Taylor’s family and company on Sunday confirmed his death in a statement.
Tinnitus is a common condition that involves noises or other noises in one or both ears. Experts say coronavirus can aggravate tinnitus problems.
“Kent fought and fought hard like the former track champion he was, but the suffering that intensified a lot in the last few days became unbearable,” the statement says.
Ron Bath / Texas Roadhouse via AP The 65-year-old man suffered from severe tinnitus, which experts say can be aggravated by coronavirus.
Taylor recently pledged to fund a clinical study to help the military suffering from tinnitus, according to the statement.
“Kent leaves an unparalleled legacy as the first leader of the people, which is why he often said that Texas Roadhouse was a company of people who had just served the steaks,” the statement said.
Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse restaurant in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana, with the idea of a cocktail napkin. It currently operates 610 restaurants in 49 states and 10 more countries. Texas Roadhouse is headquartered in Taylor’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
“Kent’s kind and generous spirit was his constant driving force, whether it was to quietly help a friend or to build one of the great American companies at @texasroadhouse,” the Louisville mayor said. , Greg Fischer, on Twitter. “He was a nonconformist businessman who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first.”
Taylor, who died Thursday, survived her parents, Powell and Marilyn Taylor; three children and five grandchildren. Texas Roadhouse spokesman Travis Doster said a small private service is planned this week.
If you need help for yourself or someone you know, call 1-800-273-8255 National suicide prevention lifeline. You can also send text messages HOME to 741-741 for free. 24-hour assistance from the crisis text line. Outside the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
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