Popular BBQ Chain Closing Locations: Here's What to Know
Say it isn't so.
parade.comHere’s the latest on Smokey Bones closures:
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Smokey Bones appears to have shuttered a large portion of its U.S. locations in 2025 and 2026 as part of a restructuring under its parent company Fat Brands and Twin Hospitality Group. Multiple outlets across Florida, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania were reported closed in early 2026, with news outlets noting nationwide shutdowns initiated around January–April 2026. This aligns with bankruptcy filings and portfolio reviews that targeted underperforming units and a broader consolidation strategy. [Sources indicate: nationwide closures and bankruptcy filings in early 2026, including Florida, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania][3][4][5]
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In late 2025 to early 2026, reports suggested dozens of Smokey Bones locations were affected by closures or conversions to Twin Peaks, a related brand in the same corporate family. The pace and scope of these changes varied by region, with some outlets permanently closing and others being rebranded as Twin Peaks as part of portfolio optimization. [Sources discuss closures and conversions, including 15 underperforming units identified in 2025 and ongoing changes into 2026][2][5]
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Overall, the trend through 2025–2026 shows a significant downsizing from Smokey Bones’ prior footprint, with several media outlets reporting that up to dozens of locations were affected and plans for further closures were in motion as part of Chapter 11 restructuring. [Sources describe large-scale closures and bankruptcy-driven portfolio adjustments][4][7][3]
Illustration: If you’re tracking a specific city, say Orlando or Rockford, you’ll likely find either a permanent closure notice at the location or confirmation from local outlets about a change to Twin Peaks or a closure. This pattern has been echoed across multiple states during the 2025–2026 period.[2][3]
Notes on sources and reliability:
- For ongoing, location-level details, local news outlets and business filings (e.g., bankruptcy court documents) are the most reliable references, as corporate announcements can lag public reporting during restructurings. The reported closures align with Fat Brands’ Chapter 11 filing and Twin Hospitality Group’s portfolio actions.[5][3][4]
If you’d like, I can pull in the most recent city-by-city closure list or map the closures by state to give you a precise view of which Smokey Bones locations remain open and which have converted to Twin Peaks. I can also provide a timeline of key corporate actions (bankruptcy filings, leadership changes, and resulting closures). Would you like that?
Citations:
- Smokey Bones closure reports and bankruptcy filings in 2026[1][3][4]
- Conversions to Twin Peaks and 2025 closure updates[5][2]