Smokey Bones, a barbecue chain that once boasted “award-winning ribs, perfectly seared steaks and memorable moments” at dozens of its locations across the U.S., has abruptly closed all of its remaining restaurants this week.
Nexstar’s WTEN confirmed the closure of an upstate New York location on Tuesday, speaking with an employee who said that workers were informed of the restaurant’s fate only that morning. A sign on the door of a location in Rhode Island, as seen by Nexstar’s WPRI, announced that the restaurant had “permanently closed its doors” and thanked customers for their loyalty.
A representative for FAT Brands, which acquired Smokey Bones in September 2023, told Nexstar on Wednesday that all locations “ceased operations” this week, but did not provide additional information.
“On behalf of Management, it has been a privilege to serve our customers,” reads a statement shared with Nexstar.
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Later Wednesday, Smokey Bones’ website was updated to include a statement from “The Smokey Bones Team.” In addition to confirming the closure, effective Monday, the statement thanked customers “for every visit, every smile, and every moment you chose to spend with us.”
“This isn’t just the end of a restaurant — it’s the closing of a chapter filled with shared meals, celebrations, traditions, and countless memories. From first bites to final toasts, you made this place more than just BBQ — you made it home,” the statement continued. “While the smokers have cooled and the doors are closed, the spirit of what we built together will always stay with us. Thank you for 27 amazing years.”
The closures come only months after Twin Hospitality Group, the FAT Brands subsidiary that operates Smokey Bones and the restaurant chain Twin Peaks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Twin Hospitality announced in a January press release that both brands were expected to “remain open and operating as usual” during the proceedings, but later language in the same release failed to mention future plans for Smokey Bones.
“Twin Peaks has redefined the sports bar experience and built an iconic and highly profitable business,” Andy Wiederhorn, the CEO of Twin Hospitality, said at the time. “We are confident that the brand remains positioned for meaningful global expansion in the years to come.”
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Smokey Bones once had nearly 130 locations across the United States, but ended up slimming down to just 73 sometime in 2007, Tasting Table reported. At the time of its acquisition by FAT Brands in 2023, there were 61 left across 16 states.
Earlier Wednesday, the Smokey Bones website indicated there were 20 restaurants still in operation at the time of the closures, across eight states: Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
