COLUMBUS: Both Smokey Bones locations in the Columbus area are permanently closed. The barbecue chain shut down every one of its restaurants across the country on April 28 without warning to customers or, in many cases, to employees after its parent company’s bankruptcy filing collapsed.
A letter posted on the door of the Grove City location Tuesday morning confirmed the restaurant’s last day was April 28. The Reynoldsburg location is also listed as closed on the company’s website. Every Smokey Bones location nationwide now shows “closed” for all hours on its website.
What Happened with Smokey Bones
Smokey Bones was owned by Twin Hospitality Group, an affiliate of FAT Brands — the global restaurant company behind chains including Twin Peaks and Fazoli’s. FAT Brands acquired Smokey Bones as a 60-unit chain in 2023.
In January 2026, FAT Brands and Twin Hospitality Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Texas, citing billions of dollars in accumulated debt. At the time, company officials told customers and employees that restaurants would “remain open and operating as usual” during the bankruptcy process.
That assurance did not hold. In September 2025, Twin Hospitality had already closed 15 underperforming Smokey Bones locations. The remaining restaurants stayed open through April 28, when the company shut everything down simultaneously.
Signs posted on doors at multiple locations carried the same message: “We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th. We thank our loyal guests for many wonderful years.”
FAT Brands did not respond to media requests for comment.
Workers Left Without Notice
For the employees who reported to work on April 28 without knowing it would be their last day, the immediate concern is practical. No announcements about severance, benefits continuation, or transition support had been made publicly at the time of the closures. Smokey Bones employed workers across dozens of locations in multiple states.
Another Columbus Restaurant Loss
Columbus where Cava, Simply South, and More Coming to Polaris Fashion Place, The Grove City and Reynoldsburg closures add to a stretch of restaurant losses in Central Ohio. Earlier this month, Hooters closed its Columbus-area locations as that chain also went through bankruptcy restructuring.
Smokey Bones had operated in the Columbus market for years, drawing regulars with its barbecue ribs, smoked meats, and sports bar atmosphere.
No information has been released about whether any of the Columbus locations could reopen under new ownership or a restructured brand.
This article is based on reporting from ABC6, 9News, Rolling Out, and court documents from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Published: April 29, 2026 | ColumbusFrontline.com