The American barbecue chain Smokey Bones has closed several locations across the United States as part of a significant restructuring effort. The affected restaurants, in states including New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois and Rhode Island, shut their doors on April 28.
Employees at the shuttered sites told US media they learned of their job losses on the morning of the closures. This marks a further reduction for the chain, which once operated about 120 outlets but had already downsized to roughly 31 by early 2026 following earlier closures and conversions.
Among the sites closed were branches in Mentor, Ohio, and Warwick, Rhode Island. A notice posted at the Warwick restaurant read: “We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th.” Employees in Colonie, New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania also confirmed they were informed of the closure plans that morning.
Smokey Bones is owned by Fat Brands Inc, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 26, 2026. The court-supervised process allows the company to continue operating while restructuring its debts. Court filings showed the group had estimated assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion.
The company has not issued a formal statement on the closures, but all Smokey Bones restaurants are currently listed as closed every day on its website. The future of the brand remains uncertain as the restructuring continues.
