COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A longtime Columbus restaurant has abruptly shut down as its parent company appears to have closed the entire chain nationwide.
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, located at 5555 Whittlesey Blvd. at Columbus Park Crossing for more than two decades, permanently closed earlier Tuesday, according to signage posted on the restaurant’s front entrance: “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.”
While the signage offered no specific reason for the sudden exit, the company’s website now lists business hours for all locations as “closed.” Reports indicate multiple Smokey Bones restaurants across the country also ceased operations Tuesday.
At its peak, the barbecue chain operated more than 100 locations nationwide. That footprint had dwindled to just 19 active restaurants by Tuesday. Smokey Bones was acquired in 2023 by FAT Brands, which also owns Twin Peaks and several other restaurant concepts…