Barbeque Integrated Inc., doing business as Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill (or simply Smokey Bones) is an American casual dining restaurant chain owned by FAT Brands. Its franchise headquarters are in Beverly Hills, California. As of January 2026, Smokey Bones has 19 restaurants[3] in 15 Eastern states.[1] Under its previous owner, Smokey Bones had as many as 128 restaurants across most of the United States before it shrank to its current core area.
History
In August 1999, Darden Restaurants, Inc. opened the first Smokey Bones restaurant in Orlando, Florida, at a site previously occupied by a Red Lobster and close to Darden's headquarters.[4][5] By June 2001, Darden had opened 8 additional Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar restaurants in Florida, the Midwest and Northeast.[6]
On May 5, 2007, it was announced that Darden Restaurants was closing 56 Smokey Bones restaurants and planning to sell the remaining 73 in its struggling chain.[7] The closings occurred in 22 states, primarily across the southwest and north-central United States.[8]
In December 2007, Darden sold Smokey Bones to Barbeque Integrated Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Capital, for approximately $80 million.[9]
On August 4, 2015, Ryan Esko was named CEO of Smokey Bones.[1] Esko was replaced by James O’Reilly in 2019.
During 2022 Smokey Bones opened two new concept locations, One of which being a location that closed in May of 2007 by Darden.[10] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/masters-of-meat-smokey-bones-celebrates-grand-opening-in-utica-301599941.html
On September 25, 2023, FAT Brands acquired Barbeque Integrated Inc. from Sun Capital Partners for $30 million.[11]
On June 28, 2025, it was reported that up to 30 Smokey Bones locations would rebrand into the Twin Peaks name, while 9 locations deemed underperforming will permanently close. Once the transitions are complete, Smokey Bones will be down to roughly only 20 locations left.[12]
On January 12, 2026, 14 locations closed with no notice to employees or the public. Following onto January 26, 2026, parent company FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to shed billions of dollars in debt. The company listed assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion.[13][14]
See also
External links
References
- Smokey Bones Names Ryan Esko as CEO PR Newswire, August 4, 2015, retrieved August 5, 2015^
- Sun Capital Partners, Inc. Sun Capital Partners, retrieved August 5, 2015^
- Patricia Cobe. Smokey Bones turns brunch into an all-day event on Sundays Restaurant Business, Apr 6, 2023, retrieved 2023-04-21^
- Jerry Jackson. Darden Cooks Up Barbecue Orlando Sentinel, July 23, 1999^
- Jerry Jackson. 2 New Area Restaurants Open Doors In Wildly Different Style Orlando Sentinel, September 13, 1999^
- Darden Restaurants Announces National Expansion Of Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar June 21, 2001^
- Darden Restaurants Sees Charge On Sale, Closure of Smokey Bones CNBC, May 6, 2007^
- Darden restaurants to close, sell Smokey Bones locations MarketWatch, May 6, 2007^
- Darden to sell Smokey Bones restaurant to Barbeque for $80 mln Reuters, December 4, 2007^
- Susan Orr. Smokey Bones chain returning to Avon after 15-year hiatus, but with ghost-kitchen twist Indianapolis Business Journal, 2021-08-24, retrieved 2026-03-12^
- FAT Brands Announces Acquisition of Smokey Bones Barbecue Chain^
- Claire Grant. Dozens of Smokey Bones restaurants will be rebranded. Which locations are being impacted? USA Today, June 28, 2025, retrieved July 2, 2025^
- Eliza Ronalds-Hannon. Fatburger Owner Files Bankruptcy in Latest Casual-Dining Demise Bloomberg, 2026-01-26, retrieved 2026-01-26^
- Sarah Fielding. Smokey Bones and Johnny Rockets restaurant closures: See list of doomed locations after FAT Brands bankruptcy Fast Company, 2026-01-28, retrieved 2026-01-28^