‘We're going to miss him': Kevin Wells leaves a legacy of joy at Texas Roadhouse'

Yahoo

24-05-2025

Editor's note: The video below is our full on-air story about Kevin Wells' legacy at Texas Roadhouse. From his daily routine to the celebration of his retirement, this piece shares Kevin's story through the voices of those who know and love him best.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMIDKPEJ)- For eight years, the staff at Texas Roadhouse in Midland didn't need a clock to know when their day had started, they had Kevin Wells.
Every afternoon, Kevin would walk in with a series of greetings that became part of the restaurant's rhythm. A quick hello to the host stand. A visit to the broiler line. A check-in with the dishwashers. Then, finally, he'd settle in at his station, where he's rolled thousands of sets of silverware over the years, always with purpose, and always with pride.
Kevin, who lives with Down syndrome, is preparing to retire. And for those who've worked beside him, the thought of the restaurant without him feels like more than just the end of a shift.
'He is kind of a cheerleader and somebody who gives everybody a little spark when he comes in each day,' said Aaron Battles, the restaurant's managing partner.
Kevin is deeply routine-oriented. His daily walk-through became a cherished part of the restaurant's energy, a moment of levity and connection in the middle of the hustle. And it wasn't just the staff who noticed. Regulars grew familiar with him, too, as he'd sometimes pass through the dining area with a quiet 'hi' and a smile.
And then, there was the dancing.
'A lot of times people play music in the back, and depending on what the music is, Kevin will start dancing,' Battles said, grinning. 'There was one day…I think it was Cher's Do You Believe in Love After All?, and man, he really got into that one. It just makes everybody smile.'
Kevin's job application came through a local support group years ago, but what he brought to the restaurant quickly became much more than a job well done. It became a masterclass in consistency, resilience, and joy.
'He's inspirational,' Battles said. 'Whatever is going on in his life, he still comes in and comes to work. He loves work. He teaches us a lot. I've always said, Kevin has done more for us than we ever did for him.'
That sentiment is echoed across the team as they prepare to say goodbye. On Sunday, May 25, staff will line up at the door to welcome Kevin into the restaurant one last time, clapping, cheering, and high-fiving. They'll celebrate in 'the most Kevin way possible,' Battles said. But true to form, they won't hold him up too long. Kevin's not one to be late getting to work.
It's that devotion, that sense of ownership and pride in the role, that made Kevin such a perfect fit for the Texas Roadhouse culture: 'Hard work, routines, and having fun along the way.'
Battles hopes Kevin's story will encourage other employers to recognize the value in hiring individuals with disabilities, not as an act of charity, but as a smart investment in people who often bring unmatched loyalty and heart.
'Sometimes we have to adjust and adapt a little bit,' he said. 'But someone like Kevin is going to do so much more for us than we'll ever do for them.'
As Kevin enters retirement, his coworkers will carry forward the culture he helped build. And for anyone who ever heard his hello or watched him dance to Cher in the back prep area, his legacy won't be forgotten.
Because Kevin didn't just roll silverware.
He rolled out joy, one hello, one routine, and one spark at a time.
At the very start of his journey at Texas Roadhouse, Kevin Wells was celebrated with cheers, new t-shirts, hugs, and a first-name tag.
In this exclusive video, watch the team mark Kevin's first year on the job, a moment that, even back then, showed just how much he meant to the people around him.
Watch below:
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