Texas Roadhouse founder, CEO dies by suicide amid post-COVID struggle

The founder, chief executive and chairman of Texas Roadhouse died by suicide on March 18 after a battle with post-COVID-19 symptoms that had worsened in recent days.

Kent Taylor, who was 65, founded Texas Roadhouse in 1993, growing it to over 600 U.S. locations. His body was found on his property near Louisville, Ky., reported the Louisville Courier Journal. 

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

Taylor had funded a clinical study to help members of the military suffering with tinnitus, the statement said.

Texas Roadhouse named company president Jerry Morgan as chief executive, effective immediately, with a chairman to be announced at a later date.