Smokey Bones

Smokey Bones was an American casual dining restaurant chain centered on barbecue, grilled food, sports-bar hospitality, and a fire-grill theme. The business was established by Darden Restaurants in 1999, when the first restaurant opened in Orlando, Florida, at a former Red Lobster location near Darden's headquarters. The concept was initially presented as Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar and combined barbecue-oriented food with a casual, sports-focused restaurant format. Darden expanded the chain during its first years. By June 2001, nine Smokey Bones restaurants had been opened, including the original location and additional units in Florida, the Midwest, and the Northeast. The chain subsequently expanded much more broadly across the United States. Its operating model was based on company-owned and later franchised casual dining locations offering barbecue and other grill-oriented meals in a setting designed for informal group dining and sports viewing. The chain encountered difficulties under Darden. In May 2007, Darden announced plans to close 56 restaurants and sell the remaining 73 locations. The closures affected 22 states and were concentrated particularly in the Southwest and north-central United States. In December 2007, Darden sold the business to Barbeque Integrated Inc., a Sun Capital subsidiary, in a transaction reported at approximately $80 million. This moved Smokey Bones out of Darden's restaurant portfolio and into private-equity ownership. The brand continued operating under Barbeque Integrated and later went through leadership changes. Ryan Esko was named chief executive officer in August 2015, and James O'Reilly replaced him in 2019. In 2022, the company opened two new concept locations, including one at a site that had previously operated as a Smokey Bones restaurant before being closed by Darden in 2007. FAT Brands acquired Barbeque Integrated Inc. from Sun Capital Partners on September 25, 2023, bringing Smokey Bones into FAT Brands' multi-brand restaurant portfolio. The chain was substantially reduced during the subsequent restructuring of the business. In June 2025, reports indicated that as many as 30 locations could be converted to the Twin Peaks brand and that nine underperforming restaurants would close. The planned conversions were expected to leave approximately 20 Smokey Bones locations. In January 2026, 14 locations reportedly closed without advance notice to employees or the public. A contemporaneous description of the chain stated that 31 restaurants remained in 15 Eastern states, while noting that the brand had previously reached as many as 128 restaurants across much of the United States. FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 26, 2026, citing a need to address substantial debt. On April 28, 2026, Twin Hospitality closed all remaining Smokey Bones restaurants. The brand is therefore treated as defunct, although the historical Smokey Bones name and restaurant concept remain relevant to the history of American barbecue-oriented casual dining.

Smokey Bones originated as a Darden Restaurants concept in 1999. Darden opened the first restaurant in Orlando, Florida, using a site that had previously housed a Red Lobster and was located close to Darden's headquarters. The concept was designed as a barbecue restaurant with a sports-bar component and was initially described as Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar. Its identity emphasized barbecue, grilled food, informal dining, and a fire-grill environment. The early rollout was relatively rapid. By June 2001, Darden had opened eight additional restaurants beyond the original Orlando location. These restaurants were distributed across Florida, the Midwest, and the Northeast. Over time, Smokey Bones expanded into a much larger national footprint, eventually reaching as many as 128 restaurants across much of the United States. The chain became a difficult asset for Darden during the mid-2000s. On May 5, 2007, Darden announced that it would close 56 Smokey Bones restaurants and pursue a sale of the remaining 73. The closures covered 22 states, with particularly significant reductions in the Southwest and north-central parts of the country. In December of that year, Darden sold Smokey Bones to Barbeque Integrated Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Capital, for approximately $80 million. The transaction transferred the brand from a large publicly traded restaurant operator to a private-equity-backed owner. Smokey Bones continued under Barbeque Integrated. Ryan Esko became chief executive officer in 2015 and was succeeded by James O'Reilly in 2019. The company attempted to develop the concept further during the early 2020s. In 2022, it opened two new concept locations, one of which occupied a location that Darden had closed in May 2007. On September 25, 2023, FAT Brands acquired Barbeque Integrated Inc. from Sun Capital Partners. The acquisition made Smokey Bones part of FAT Brands' collection of restaurant businesses. The chain subsequently underwent a major contraction. In June 2025, reports described a plan to convert as many as 30 Smokey Bones restaurants to the Twin Peaks brand and permanently close nine locations considered underperforming. Once those changes were completed, only about 20 Smokey Bones restaurants were expected to remain. The contraction accelerated in 2026. Fourteen locations closed on January 12 without advance notice to employees or the public. A January description placed the chain at 31 restaurants in 15 Eastern states, contrasting with its historical high of as many as 128 locations. On January 26, FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of an effort to restructure or shed billions of dollars in debt; the filing described assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion. On April 28, Twin Hospitality closed all remaining Smokey Bones restaurants. That closure ended the chain's operating history as a restaurant brand.

• 2026

  Remaining restaurants close

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  After further closures and the FAT Brands bankruptcy filing, Twin Hospitality closes all remaining Smokey Bones restaurants on April 28.

• 2025

  Large-scale rebranding plan reported

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Up to 30 locations are reported to be targeted for conversion to the Twin Peaks name, alongside nine planned closures.

• 2023

  FAT Brands acquires Barbeque Integrated

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  FAT Brands acquires the Smokey Bones parent from Sun Capital Partners.

• 2022

  Two new concept locations open

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Smokey Bones opens two new concept locations, including one at a site previously closed by Darden.

• 2019

  James O'Reilly becomes chief executive

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  James O'Reilly replaces Ryan Esko as CEO.

• 2015

  Ryan Esko becomes chief executive

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Ryan Esko is appointed CEO of Smokey Bones.

• 2007

  Darden announces major closures and sale

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Darden announces the closure of 56 restaurants and plans to sell the remaining 73.

• 2007

  Sun Capital subsidiary acquires the chain

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Barbeque Integrated Inc. purchases Smokey Bones from Darden.

• 2001

  Early expansion reaches nine locations

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Darden has opened eight additional restaurants in Florida, the Midwest, and the Northeast.

• 1999

  First Smokey Bones restaurant opens

  [1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Darden Restaurants opens the first Smokey Bones location in Orlando, Florida, at a former Red Lobster site.

A casual, barbecue-focused restaurant and sports-bar concept built around smoked and grilled food, informal group dining, and a fire-grill atmosphere.

• Barbecue and casual dining · 1999

  Smokey Bones barbecue menu

  The core offering was a barbecue-focused casual dining menu built around smoked and grilled food. The concept's original name and positioning identified it as a barbecue sports bar, while the brand's fire-grill identity connected the food to a casual restaurant environment suitable for group meals and sports viewing. Specific menu items are not detailed in the supplied reference material.

• Restaurant format · 1999

  Smokey Bones sports-bar dining

  The restaurant format combined barbecue and grill-oriented dining with sports-bar hospitality. This format was intended to distinguish Smokey Bones from a conventional full-service restaurant by emphasizing informal social occasions, televised sports, and a fire-grill atmosphere. The format remained central to the chain's identity throughout its operating history.

• 2026

  Closure of all remaining restaurantsOther

  Background

  Further location closures followed the planned conversions and the financial distress of parent company FAT Brands.

  Action taken

  Twin Hospitality closed every remaining Smokey Bones restaurant on April 28, ending the chain's operations.

  Aftermath

  Smokey Bones became a defunct restaurant brand.

  Source

• 2025

  Planned conversion of locations to Twin PeaksStrategy

  Background

  The chain was being reduced after its acquisition by FAT Brands, with locations evaluated for performance and brand conversion.

  Action taken

  Reports indicated that as many as 30 Smokey Bones restaurants would be rebranded as Twin Peaks and nine underperforming locations would close.

  Aftermath

  The planned changes were expected to leave roughly 20 Smokey Bones restaurants operating.

  Source

• 2023

  FAT Brands acquisition of Barbeque IntegratedM&A

  Background

  FAT Brands expanded its multi-brand restaurant portfolio through the purchase of Smokey Bones' parent company.

  Action taken

  FAT Brands acquired Barbeque Integrated Inc. from Sun Capital Partners.

  Aftermath

  Smokey Bones became part of FAT Brands before the chain underwent substantial location reductions.

  Reported acquisition price. $30 million (September 25, 2023)

  Source

• 2022

  Development of new concept locationsStrategy

  Background

  The brand sought to develop its restaurant concept after operating under private ownership.

  Action taken

  Smokey Bones opened two new concept locations, including one at a former Smokey Bones site closed in 2007.

  Aftermath

  The openings represented a limited expansion before the later contraction of the chain.

  Source

• 2007

  Darden reduces and exits the Smokey Bones chainStrategy

  Background

  Darden identified Smokey Bones as a struggling chain and announced plans to close 56 restaurants while seeking a buyer for the remaining 73.

  Action taken

  Darden closed locations across 22 states and prepared the remaining business for sale.

  Aftermath

  The chain was sold later in 2007 to Barbeque Integrated Inc., a Sun Capital subsidiary.

  Source

• 2007

  Sale to Barbeque Integrated Inc.M&A

  Background

  Darden's planned withdrawal from the concept created an opportunity for a private-equity-backed buyer.

  Action taken

  Barbeque Integrated Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Capital, acquired Smokey Bones from Darden.

  Aftermath

  Smokey Bones continued as a privately owned restaurant chain outside Darden's portfolio.

  Reported transaction value. $80 million (December 2007)

  Source

• 2026

  Multiple Smokey Bones locations close without notice[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  Fourteen locations reportedly closed without advance notice to employees or the public.

• 2026

  FAT Brands files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  FAT Brands sought Chapter 11 protection in a restructuring intended to address billions of dollars of debt.

• 2026

  Twin Hospitality closes remaining Smokey Bones restaurants[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Twin Hospitality closed all remaining Smokey Bones restaurants, ending the chain's operations.

• 2025

  Smokey Bones locations planned for Twin Peaks conversions[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Reports indicated that up to 30 Smokey Bones locations would be rebranded as Twin Peaks restaurants, while nine underperforming locations would close.

• 2023

  FAT Brands acquires Smokey Bones parent[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  FAT Brands acquired Barbeque Integrated Inc. from Sun Capital Partners, adding Smokey Bones to its restaurant portfolio.

• 2015

  Ryan Esko named Smokey Bones chief executive[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Ryan Esko was appointed chief executive officer of Smokey Bones.

• 2007

  Darden announces closure and sale plans for Smokey Bones[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Darden Restaurants announced that it would close 56 Smokey Bones restaurants and seek a buyer for the remaining 73 locations.

• 2007

  Darden sells Smokey Bones to Sun Capital subsidiary[1]Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Barbeque Integrated Inc., a subsidiary of Sun Capital, acquired Smokey Bones from Darden Restaurants.

1. 1Smokey Bonesen.wikipedia.org