On April 28, 2025, the Smokey Bones restaurant chain unexpectedly closed all its locations across the United States, leaving employees and customers in shock. Reports indicate that staff members were informed of the decision on the same day, leading to significant disruption in various states including Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
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Confirmation of the closures came from multiple sources, including employees from various stores who reported that they learned of the permanent shutdown only upon arriving for work. For instance, a worker at the Mentor, Ohio location confirmed to a media outlet that the restaurant ceased operations effective Friday, April 28. A notice in the window of the Warwick, Rhode Island location also announced its closure, stating, “We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th.”
In New York, an employee at the Colonie branch revealed that staff were similarly informed of their unexpected fate that morning. Moreover, the last remaining Smokey Bones location in Michigan also shut its doors on the same day after management communicated the news to its team. Reports emerged that three locations in Pennsylvania followed suit, with staff confirming the permanent closures to local news agencies. Columbus, Ohio, and Springfield, Illinois, were among other cities where Smokey Bones restaurants closed without warning.
The underlying reasons for this abrupt closure stem from financial difficulties faced by the restaurant chain. In January 2026, Smokey Bones’ parent company, Fat Brands Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a strategy to restructure its finances following disappointing performance in previous years. The bankruptcy filing disclosed that the company’s assets and liabilities were estimated to be between $1 billion and $10 billion, hinting at considerable operational challenges.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy typically allows companies to reorganise their operations while continuing to pay creditors over time. In the case of Smokey Bones and its parent company Twin Hospitality Group, both entities filed for bankruptcy on January 26, 2026. In their statement, Twin Hospitality expressed an intent to address imbalances in their financial operations, maximise stakeholder value, and invigorate brand growth.
Prior to the mass closures, the company’s strategy involved reviewing operational efficiencies, leading to the closure of 15 underperforming locations in 2025. Following this evaluation, a new president was appointed to oversee the remaining 26 locations at that time, suggesting a push to make the remaining venues more profitable.
Despite the developments surrounding its closures, Fat Brands and Twin Hospitality Group have not provided any commentary regarding the recent mass shutdowns. The silence from the corporate offices has left many questions unanswered about the future of the Smokey Bones brand and its remaining employees.
Smokey Bones’ website has now been updated to reflect the closures, indicating that all locations are currently shuttered. This sudden turn of events has left loyal customers and employees uncertain about the future, with many expressing disappointment over the fate of the beloved barbecue chain. As reports continue to unfold, the broader impact of these closures on the restaurant landscape remains to be seen, as well as the long-term viability of the brand following such large-scale operational disruptions.