Wayne Kent Taylor Explained

Wayne Kent Taylor (September 27, 1955 – March 18, 2021) was an American businessman. He was the founder and CEO of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain.[1] [2] [3]

Early life

Taylor was born at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to Powell Taylor, a lieutenant in the Army and Marilyn (Bergmann) Taylor. Taylor grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. His father worked for General Electric after leaving the Army, and his mother was a buyer for a local boutique.

He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which he attended while on a track scholarship.[4]

Career

Taylor founded Texas Roadhouse in 1993, at the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana. His goal was to create an "affordable, Texas-style" restaurant. He was turned down more than 80 times while seeking investors. His initial investors were three doctors from Elizabethtown, Kentucky who invested $300,000. To show the investors his initial design for the first restaurant, Taylor sketched the design on a cocktail napkin.

Until his death, Taylor was involved in the chain's day-to-day operations.

Philanthropy

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Taylor donated his compensation package to support his company's frontline workers, and had committed to fund a clinical study to help members of the military who had tinnitus.[5]

Personal life

Taylor had three children and five grandchildren.[6]

Death

Taylor died by suicide on March 18, 2021, at the age of 65. He had been struggling with post-COVID-19 symptoms including severe tinnitus for months after becoming infected with the virus.[7] [8] After some improvement from an experimental treatment, "Taylor went to get his COVID vaccine and the tinnitus came roaring back. Two days later [...]" he died by suicide.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pietsch, Bryan. Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse Founder and C.E.O., Dies at 65 . . 2021-03-21 . 2021-03-23.
  2. Web site: Texas Roadhouse Founder Kent Taylor Dies After Struggle With 'Post-COVID' Symptoms . NPR.org . 2021-03-22 . 2021-03-23.
  3. News: Elfrink . Tim . Texas Roadhouse CEO dies by suicide while battling 'unbearable' post-covid-19 symptoms, family says . The Washington Post. 2021-03-22 . 2021-03-23.
  4. News: Kent Taylor: 3 things to know about Texas Roadhouse founder, CEO . March 26, 2021 . Post Courier . subscription . March 25, 2021.
  5. Web site: Newburger . Emma . Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor dies at 65 after taking life following post Covid struggle . CNBC . 21 March 2021 .
  6. Web site: Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor dies amid COVID-19 struggle . AP News . 21 March 2021 .
  7. News: Hagerty. James R.. 2021-03-24. Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor, a Business Maverick, Was Tormented by Tinnitus After Covid-19. en-US. Wall Street Journal. 2022-01-04. 0099-9660.
  8. Web site: The founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse caught COVID. 4 months later, he died by suicide. Family and colleagues detail his final days and legacy. 2022-02-02. Fortune. en.