Why did Smokey Bones restaurant chain close all its locations?

Bankruptcy and Nationwide Closure

Smokey Bones barbecue chain closed all remaining locations nationwide following a bankruptcy filing by its parent company Twin Hospitality Group Inc. The closures occurred on April 28, 2026, with the company having already filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Ownership and Recent History

Smokey Bones was acquired as a 60-unit group by FAT Brands Inc. in 2023. In January 2025, the brand was spun off into Twin Hospitality. In September 2025, Twin Hospitality announced plans to rebrand 19 Smokey Bones locations as Twin Peaks restaurants while closing 15 underperforming sites, but ultimately the entire chain was shut down.

Michigan Location Closure

The last remaining Michigan location at 2401 Lake Lansing Road near Eastwood Towne Center closed permanently on April 28. Manager Greg Brown was notified of the closure on Tuesday morning and immediately informed approximately 20 employees. The restaurant had operated for over a decade at that location.

Circumstances of Final Closure

Despite recent efforts to keep operations afloat, including debuting a new menu, the Michigan location closed abruptly. The general manager and kitchen manager had left about a month prior, but remaining staff had been performing well. The closure came as a surprise given the restaurant's recent performance improvements.