Former CEO “Red Robin” Restaurant Chain Michael J. Snyder Dead In Apparent Suicide

YAKIMA COUNTY, WA. (THECOUNT) — Michael J. Snyder, former CEO Red Robin restaurant chain, has been identified as the victim on an apparent suicide, according to the Yakima County Chief Deputy coroner.

Snyder, 68, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to TMZ.

The victim was found on a bench in the front year area of his residence on Sunday, according to arriving officials.

Snyder left behind no note, according to officials.

Yakima County Chief Deputy Coroner Marshall Slight tells us … Snyder committed suicide with a high-powered gun Sunday in Washington state. We’re told he shot himself on a bench in the front yard of his home. Slight says police responded to a 911 call and found Snyder’s body … no suicide note was left behind. source

Michael and his brother became the first Red Robin franchisees in 1979 and went on to open 14 of the burger restaurants in Washington, Colorado and Idaho.

Snyder merged his franchise company with the parent company in 2000 … and took over as CEO and President.

He was ousted in 2005, though, after an internal investigation discovered he had misused funds and charter planes. He reportedly remained the largest individual shareholder of the company.

Yakima County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 census, its population was 243,231. The county seat and largest city is Yakima. The county was formed out of Ferguson County in January 1865 and is named for the Yakama tribe of Native Americans, according to Wikipedia.