Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse CEO, has died
The founder and CEO of Louisville-based restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse has died, the corporate introduced Thursday.
Kent Taylor based the informal eating restaurant in 1993 and held varied positions within the firm, together with most lately board chair and CEO, based on a company statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kent Taylor,” Greg Moore, Lead Director, said on behalf of the Board of Directors. “He founded Texas Roadhouse and dedicated himself to building it into a legendary experience for ‘Roadies’ and restaurant guests alike.”
As restaurants faced restrictions and other pandemic-related challenges last year, Taylor gave up his own base salary and incentive bonus from March 18, 2020, through Jan. 7, 2021.
“This selfless act was no surprise to anyone who knew Kent and his strong belief in servant leadership,” Moore said in Thursday’s statement. “He was without a doubt, a people-first leader. His entrepreneurial spirit will live on in the company he built, the projects he supported and the lives he touched.”
Read extra:Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor talks leadership and restaurant reopenings amid COVID-19
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer launched a press release on social media following the corporate’s announcement Thursday night.
“Louisville lost a much loved and one-of-a-kind citizen with Kent Taylor’s passing today,” Fischer wrote in a tweet. “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 companies in @texasroadhouse.
“He was a maverick entrepreneur who embodied the values of by no means giving up and placing others first. My deepest condolences to Kent’s household and lots of, many mates.”
The company did not release funeral arrangements or details about the cause of Taylor’s death.
Reach Emma Austin at [email protected] or on Twitter at @emmacaustin.
