Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, a casual barbecue restaurant chain that has been operating for 27 years, has officially ceased all operations in the United States.
The sudden closure, effective April 28, 2026, shocked many employees and loyal customers across the region.
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The decision to close all Smokey Bones locations was confirmed by a spokesperson for FAT Brands Inc., the parent company of the restaurant chain.
The official Smokey Bones website has also updated the operating status of all locations to 'CLOSED,' ending a long era of their signature barbecue.
This closure comes just months after FAT Brands Inc. and its affiliate, Twin Hospitality Group Inc. (the direct owner of Smokey Bones), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2026.
While a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing generally allows companies to restructure debt while remaining operational, this did not apply to Smokey Bones.
Sudden Closure and Official Confirmation
The Smokey Bones restaurant chain announced the closure of all its U.S. locations on April 28, 2026.
This decision was made without prior notice to employees and loyal customers.
A spokesperson for FAT Brands Inc. officially confirmed that "as of April 28, 2026, all Smokey Bones locations have ceased operations."
Smokey Bones' official website now displays a message stating, "After 27 incredible years, Smokey Bones has officially closed its doors as of Monday, April 27th."
Background to FAT Brands' Bankruptcy
Smokey Bones' closure is a direct result of the financial distress experienced by its parent companies, FAT Brands Inc. and Twin Hospitality Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in January 2026.
In its bankruptcy filing, FAT Brands Inc. reported assets and liabilities ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion, indicating the scale of its significant financial problems.
While a Chapter 11 filing aims to restructure debt and allow for business continuity, in the case of Smokey Bones, the process actually resulted in a complete closure.
Impact on Employees and Communities
The sudden closure came as a complete surprise, especially to the thousands of Smokey Bones employees across the country.
Employees at locations including Colonie, New York, and Lansing, Michigan, reported only learning of the closure the morning of the effective date.
Many in the community were shocked by the news, as Smokey Bones had been a fixture in the local culinary landscape for years.
An official in Taunton, Massachusetts, revealed that the closure there caught both the city government and restaurant workers by surprise.
The city of Taunton has attempted to verify rumors of closure over the past two years, but has consistently assured that the business will remain open.
Smokey Bones Chain History and Restructuring
Smokey Bones was founded in 1999 by Darden Restaurants in Orlando, Florida.
The chain reached its peak, operating approximately 130 restaurants across the United States.
In September 2023, FAT Brands Inc. acquired Smokey Bones, which at the time had 60 units, for approximately $30 million.
Then, in January 2025, the brand was spun off into a separate entity called Twin Hospitality Group Inc.Prior to the total closure, Twin Hospitality had announced a restructuring plan in September 2025.
The plan included closing 15 underperforming locations and converting 19 others into Twin Peaks restaurants.
In January 2026, 14 additional locations closed without notice, leaving approximately 11 locations before all outlets closed permanently in April 2026.
In an official statement, FAT Brands expressed its gratitude to customers.
"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," reads a message on the Smokey Bones website.