Texas Roadhouse announces death of founder and CEO Kent Taylor

Restaurant closures produce glut of used equipmentThe pandemic has forced thousands of restaurants to permanently shut their doors as dining restrictions keep customers away. But the unprecedented closures have created a boom for commercial auctioneers that buy and sell used equipment. (Feb. 19)APThe founder and CEO of Louisville-based restaurant chain Texas Roadhouse has died, the company announced Thursday.Kent Taylor founded the casual dining restaurant in 1993 and held various positions in the company, including most recently board chair and CEO, according to 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 more: Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor talks leadership and restaurant reopenings amid COVID-19Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released a statement on social media following the company’s announcement Thursday evening. He was a maverick entrepreneur who embodied the values of never giving up and putting others first. My deepest condolences to Kent’s family and many, many friends. 2/2— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) March 19, 2021“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 never giving up and putting others first. My deepest condolences to Kent’s family and many, many friends.”The company did not release funeral arrangements or details about the cause of Taylor’s death.Reach Emma Austin at eaustin@gannett.com or on Twitter at @emmacaustin.


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