Smokey Bones, the popular BBQ franchise, begins closing restaurants
Smokey Bones, the well-known BBQ chain, is shutting down multiple locations as part of a restructuring and leadership change.
www.primetimer.comHere’s the latest available information on Smokey Bones closures:
- Fat Brands filed for Chapter 11 in early 2026 and announced plans to shutter at least 30 Smokey Bones locations as part of a broader restructuring. This includes closures across multiple states such as Florida, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania, with a significant number of sites affected in 2026 [source coverage indicates early 2026 bankruptcy actions and resulting closures].[1]
- In the months surrounding the bankruptcy, additional closures and potential conversions to other concepts (notably Twin Peaks) were reported as part of portfolio optimization, with industry outlets noting large rounds of shutdowns and ongoing brand realignment.[2][3][5]
- By late 2025 and into 2026, reports highlighted the trend of Smokey Bones reducing from a peak footprint (roughly around 60 locations historically) to a much smaller presence, through a combination of closures and restaurant conversions, under new ownership/management structures.[7][8]
Illustrative example of impact:
- A representative summary from late January 2026 described Fat Brands’ Chapter 11 filing and the plan to close at least six Smokey Bones locations in the year, totaling around 30 closures as the company restructures.[1]
- Separately, industry coverage in September 2025 documented widespread closures and conversions, including many Smokey Bones sites being shut or rebranded as Twin Peaks as part of Twin Hospitality Group’s strategy.[3][5]
What this means for you in Amsterdam/Netherlands:
- If you’re seeking Smokey Bones locations to visit or track, expect the brand’s U.S. footprint to be significantly reduced through 2026 due to bankruptcy-driven closures and potential conversions. There are currently no Smokey Bones locations in Amsterdam or the Netherlands, so local options remain unaffected by these U.S.-centered corporate changes.
If you’d like, I can compile a concise timeline of reported closures and current remaining locations (as of the latest reports) or look for any regional equivalents in the Netherlands that match Smokey Bones’ casual BBQ/restaurant model.