Texas Roadhouse CEO giving up salary

[IceWizard]

Texas Roadhouse CEO giving up salary, bonus to pay workers during coronavirus outbreak

BY ARIS FOLLEY - 03/26/20 05:51 PM EDT





W. Kent Taylor, the co-founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse Inc., 
will be giving up his bonus and base salary this year to pay his 
chain’s workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed reports to The Hill on 
Thursday that Taylor will be redirecting his bonus and the base salary 
he would have received from March 18 to Jan. 7, 2021 to the 
pockets of his chain’s frontline workers instead. 

“Kent Taylor has always said that Texas Roadhouse is a 
People-company that just happens to serve great steaks. 
His donation of his salary and bonus to help employees is 
the embodiment of that saying,” the spokesperson said. 
“We are blessed to have his leadership.”

He added that the donation from Taylor's base salary will 
amount to just under $525,000 and his bonus is $525,000 as well. 
“On a prorated basis, the forgone salary and bonus would 
be just under a $1 million donation to employees,” he said.

The move comes as the pandemic has sparked worry for 
restaurants and businesses deemed nonessential by government 
leaders as states and municipalities across the country have 
ordered food establishments to reduce their services to 
delivery options in efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The spokesperson also told The Hill that Taylor recently 
donated $5 million to Andy’s Outreach, which he described 
as charitable fund that help support the company’s employees 
during “times of need.” The fund was named after 
Andy Armadillo, which is the chain’s mascot.

As more cases of the novel coronavirus are reported 
nationwide, the spokesperson said that the company, which 
is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, but operates over 
500 dining establishments in 49 states, temporarily halted 
inside dining at their locations amid the outbreak.

However, he said that the chain has been offering to-go and 
curbside delivery options at their locations for customers.


“We’re still open for business,” 
he added.