A popular American barbecue chain, celebrated for its smoky brisket and national television fame, has filed for bankruptcy protection and closed half of its restaurants. This move serves as a stark indicator that soaring food prices are pushing even beloved comfort-food institutions to the brink.
Ohio BBQ Chain Seeks Protection After Rapid Closures
Ray Ray's Hog Pit, a cult-favourite Ohio barbecue chain founded in 2009, has quietly shuttered several locations. Its parent company, Smoke Ring LLC, has now sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The brand gained significant recognition after featuring on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2017, which cemented its status as a regional favourite.
The financial troubles escalated quickly. In mid-November 2025, Ray Ray's abruptly closed three central Ohio outlets: its Johnstown and Marion restaurants, along with a Linworth food truck. These closures came just months after the chain had expanded with larger, full-service concepts. On December 21, the company formally filed for Chapter 11, aiming to restructure its debts while keeping its remaining sites operational.
Owner Vows to Refocus on Core Locations
Founder and owner James Anderson described the closures as a necessary survival tactic rather than a terminal decline. In a Facebook post on November 13, he stated the decision would allow the chain to concentrate on its core strength: serving award-winning BBQ efficiently to its most loyal customers.
"This change allows us to refocus on what we do best — serving award-winning BBQ quickly to the people who love it most," Anderson wrote. "We want to put our full energy into the locations you know and love." Four Ray Ray's locations in the Columbus area remain open: in Clintonville, Westerville, Granville, and a walk-up window at Land-Grant Brewing.
Unsustainable Finances and Wider Industry Crisis
Court documents reveal the precarious financial state that led to the filing. The company reported approximately $264,000 in assets, including cash, kitchen equipment, and inventory, against debts of roughly $1.26 million owed to lenders, landlords, and suppliers.
Ray Ray's plight is not an isolated incident but part of a distressing trend across the US restaurant sector. A punishing combination of weaker consumer demand, escalating food and labour costs, and high interest rates is leaving little margin for error.
The chain joins a growing list of casualties in 2025:
- Independent eateries like Jenkins Quality Barbecue in Florida and Hector's Café and Diner in New York have shut down.
- Small to mid-sized chains including Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and Oath Pizza have dramatically scaled back operations.
- Historic names such as the 88-year-old K&W cafeteria chain closed its final eight locations.
- Major national chains are also retrenching. Pizza Hut and Denny's were sold after sales slumps, while Red Robin, Cracker Barrel-owned Maple Street Biscuit Company, and Wendy's are all closing numerous underperforming stores.
For barbecue restaurants specifically, the sharp rise in beef and pork prices has created intense pressure on profitability. The closure of Ray Ray's Hog Pit locations is a potent symbol of how economic headwinds are challenging even the most cherished dining traditions.
