Texas Roadhouse CEO, Kent Taylor, took his own life at 65

Kent Taylor, the founder of Texas Roadhouse, has died, and this was announced by the company and his family. The chief of the American legendary steak restaurant chain was 65.

Based on the social media post, Taylor passed away last weekend. The cause of his death has been revealed as well, and sadly, it was by suicide.

Details of his death

Taylor reportedly battled COVID-19, and it was suggested that he was able to recover. However, he has been experiencing symptoms related to the illness, and this includes severe tinnitus.

“After a battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus, Kent Taylor took his own life this week,” CNBC quoted Taylor’s family as saying in a statement. “Kent battled and fought hard like the former track champion that he was, but the suffering that greatly intensified in recent days became unbearable.”

Tinnitus is a condition where the patient experiences ringing or noises in one or both ears. The irritating noises are not caused by external sound, and other people can't hear them. Knowing how difficult this condition is, according to his family, Taylor even pledged to fund a clinical study to help people in the military who are suffering from this medical problem.

People saddened by his untimely departure

People in the business community and his friends are in grief, and they recalled how Taylor has been great to everyone. They also praised him for everything he did for others, including his employees and restaurant guests.

"Our community and the restaurant industry lost a legend and the Taylor family lost a wonderful son, father and grandad this week," his family said in a separate statement that was sent to CNN Business.

They added that Taylor left an “unmatched legacy as a people-first leader.” He has changed the lives of his employees and people he encountered in the past 28 years as the head of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain.

The mayor in Louisville, Kentucky, Greg Fischer, also said via a tweet that Kent Taylor is truly a one-of-a-kind citizen who is much-loved by everyone. Thus, they truly lost someone this precious.

Finally, Kent Taylor opened Texas Roadhouse in 1993. Today it has over 600 stores across the U.S. and other countries.