Another national restaurant chain has quietly disappeared from Ohio, closing its final three locations in the state. The move comes amid financial struggles and a bankruptcy filing for the chain’s parent company, which owns several notable brands.
Smokey Bones exits Ohio
Smokey Bones, a barbecue chain with locations nationwide, has completely exited Ohio. Locations in Maumee, Columbus, and Avon have all closed amid a nationwide wave of shutdowns. Those final closures aligned with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by FAT Brands in January 2026, which accelerated the chain’s complete withdrawal from the state.
Bankruptcy drives closures
The shutdowns are closely tied to the financial struggles of parent company FAT Brands, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2026. The filing prompted a series of restructuring efforts, including closing underperforming restaurants and shifting focus to other concepts within its portfolio.
Some Smokey Bones locations across the country have been converted into Twin Peaks restaurants, while others have simply been closed as the company works to reduce costs.
A shrinking footprint nationwide
At its peak, Smokey Bones operated dozens of locations across multiple states. Over time, however, the brand has faced mounting challenges, from rising operating costs to increased competition in the casual dining and barbecue sectors.
The closures in Maumee, Columbus, and Avon now leave zero Smokey Bones locations remaining in Ohio, according to the most recent updates.
What comes next for the chain
Nationwide, Smokey Bones has been reduced to a much smaller footprint, with only a limited number of restaurants still in operation. While the company continues to restructure under bankruptcy protection, it remains unclear whether the brand will stabilize or continue to contract…