When it comes to the creation of the Texas Roadhouse, you’d think it would stem back to Texas. However, it actually came from a Kentucky native who moved out west and fell in love with skiing.
In his latest video, Company Man broke down the history of Texas Roadhouse and how they’ve been able to thrive in a sector of the restaurant industry that’s struggling. For skiers, it may come as a surprise how Colorado skiing factored into the story.
After being fascinated by Company Man’s video, I conducted further research on Taylor and discovered more about his primary passion.
W. Kent Taylor (also known as Kent Taylor) is surprisingly not a Texan. He lived in Louisville, attended college in North Carolina, moved to Colorado, and then eventually returned home to Kentucky. As an adult, he became an experienced restaurant manager, operating Benigans and Hooters. With this experience, he partnered with John Y. Brown to create a restaurant concept based on… Colorado?
Yes, his first concept was actually based on Colorado due to his love of skiing. While they opened one location in his hometown, they were unable to come to an agreement on a second location. Kent Taylor had another idea for a restaurant, themed after Texas. Finding investors was tough, but he managed to do so thanks to striking a deal with some medical professionals. The first opened in Clarksville, Indiana, and the company gradually became an international powerhouse.
He didn’t give up on this Colorado concept, though. In 2009, the Roadhouse opened a new chain under its portfolio: Aspen Creek. Themed to ski lodges in Colorado and Utah, the restaurant shared similar goals with the Texas Roadhouse: affordable and varied food options. Due to the similarities in customers between the two restaurants, the Roadhouse decided to spin off Aspen Creek. Today, the chain features eight restaurants, which appear to be well-reviewed.
While Taylor continued to grow the Texas Roadhouse, he remained an active skier. In a 2019 article by Investor’s Business Daily, they noted that he skied at least 60 days a year. While on the chairlift at Deer Valley, he would take business calls. Being able to escape the office helped Taylor be more creative, leading to the Roadhouse’s rise to prominence.
“Even when I’m skiing, I’m always thinking about how can we get better,” said Taylor to Investor’s Business Daily.
Sadly, Kent Taylor died in 2021. COVID-19 derailed his life, and he ended up committing suicide due to severe symptoms post-COVID, such as tinnitus. These symptoms blocked Taylor from his annual ski trip to Utah. According to Tinnitus Today, Taylor’s family honored his love for skiing by scattering some of his ashes at an unspecified Utah ski resort.
Today, Texas Roadhouse remains beloved by many across the world. While it may not seem like it from afar, skiing played a part in its rise.
Image/Video Credits: Texas Roadhouse, Company Man
