Smokey Bones Chain Collapses as Parent Company's Bankruptcy Triggers Mass Closures

Key facts

• Smokey Bones closed its Colonie, NY location on April 28, 2025.
• Parent company FAT Brands Inc. and its operating arm Twin Hospitality Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 26, 2025.
• Twin Hospitality identified 15 underperforming Smokey Bones locations in September 2025, closing 10 immediately and planning to close 5 more before the fiscal third quarter end.
• The closures included the chain's last remaining restaurant in Michigan and multiple outposts in Pennsylvania.
• Employees at several locations were informed the morning of the closures that operations were ending immediately.
• A notice taped on the Warwick, RI location door read: 'We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th.'
• Smokey Bones' website now lists all locations as closed every day of the week.
• The chain was founded in 1999 by Darden Restaurants in Orlando, FL.

A Sudden Sweep Across Six States

Smokey Bones, the barbecue chain known for hickory-smoked meats, abruptly shut down its Colonie, New York location on April 28, part of a wave of closures that struck restaurants in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Rhode Island on the same day. Employees in several states said they were informed the morning of the closures that operations were ending immediately, with no prior warning. At the Colonie branch, staff learned of the shutdown the same day it occurred, a pattern repeated at multiple locations nationwide as workers were blindsided by last-minute notices. A notice taped on the door of the Warwick, Rhode Island location read: 'We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th.' The sweep included the chain's last remaining restaurant in Michigan and multiple outposts in Pennsylvania, signaling a deepening pullback for the once-expansive brand.

Bankruptcy Filing and Broken Promises

Both FAT Brands Inc., the parent company, and its operating arm Twin Hospitality Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 26, 2025, a move intended to restructure debt while keeping restaurants open. At the time, the company stated: 'Twin Hospitality plans to use the filings to deleverage the balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders, and support the continued growth of its brands.' It added that throughout the Chapter 11 process, the brands would remain open and operating as usual, delivering their 'signature guest experiences.' Despite these assurances, the latest closures suggest a more turbulent reality on the ground, with operations rapidly contracting rather than stabilizing. The company had already begun trimming its footprint months earlier. In September 2025, Twin Hospitality announced it had identified 15 underperforming Smokey Bones locations, of which ten had been closed and five would be closed before the end of the fiscal third quarter. The closure of these locations, coupled with the removal of approximately $1.5 million in associated corporate overhead, was projected to materially enhance EBITDA performance, the company said.

Workers Caught Off Guard

The abrupt nature of the closures left employees across multiple states scrambling. At the Colonie location, an employee told local news that staff learned of the closure the same day it happened. Similar accounts emerged from other shuttered restaurants, where workers said they were informed the morning of the closures that operations were ending immediately. No one answers the phone at the Warwick location, according to reports. The lack of advance notice contrasts sharply with the company's earlier public statements that business would continue as usual during restructuring. The sudden shutdowns have raised fresh questions about the chain's future, especially as Smokey Bones' website now lists all locations as closed every day of the week.

From BBQ Sports Bar to Casual Dining Chain

Smokey Bones was founded in 1999 by Darden Restaurants as a BBQ sports bar in Orlando, Florida. It expanded into a casual dining chain known for hickory-smoked meats and fire-grilled dishes, at one point operating dozens of locations across the United States. The chain's decline accelerated under FAT Brands Inc., which acquired it and later filed for bankruptcy amid broader financial troubles. The company's restructuring efforts, including the closure of underperforming units and the removal of corporate overhead, were intended to streamline operations and focus on stronger-performing locations. However, the rapid pace of closures suggests that the chain's footprint is shrinking faster than anticipated, with no clear path to recovery.

What Comes Next for the Brand

With all locations now listed as closed on the company's website, the immediate future of Smokey Bones appears uncertain. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy process is ongoing, and the company has not issued a statement regarding the latest wave of closures. The removal of approximately $1.5 million in corporate overhead may help Twin Hospitality's financial position, but the loss of revenue from shuttered restaurants could offset those gains. For employees and customers, the sudden closures have left many unanswered questions. Workers who were caught off guard are now seeking unemployment and new jobs, while loyal patrons are left without a familiar dining option. The chain's remaining assets, including its brand and recipes, could potentially be sold to another operator, but no such plans have been announced.

A Cautionary Tale in Casual Dining

The collapse of Smokey Bones reflects broader challenges facing casual dining chains in an era of rising costs, changing consumer habits, and increased competition from fast-casual and delivery-focused concepts. The company's bankruptcy filing and subsequent closures highlight the difficulty of restructuring under financial pressure, especially when promises of business-as-usual prove hollow. For the barbecue chain, the rapid unraveling serves as a stark reminder that even well-established brands can falter when parent companies face financial distress. As the Chapter 11 process continues, the fate of Smokey Bones — and the jobs it once supported — hangs in the balance.

The bottom line

• Smokey Bones abruptly closed multiple locations across six states on April 28, 2025, with employees given no advance notice.
• Parent company FAT Brands Inc. and Twin Hospitality Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 26, 2025, promising operations would continue as usual.
• The chain had already closed 10 underperforming units in September 2025, with plans to close 5 more, removing $1.5 million in corporate overhead.
• The closures included the chain's last Michigan location and multiple Pennsylvania outposts, signaling a severe contraction.
• Smokey Bones' website now lists all locations as closed, raising doubts about the brand's survival.
• The chain was founded in 1999 by Darden Restaurants and expanded into a casual dining chain before its decline under FAT Brands.