Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill has shut down all 31 of its U.S. locations, including three in Florida, with employees receiving no prior notice. The chain, which opened its first restaurant in Orlando in 1999, closed its Clearwater, Melbourne, and Orlando locations on April 27. A spokesperson said the closures were permanent.
The barbecue chain, once a staple of Florida dining with 130 locations at its peak, now has only 31 stores across 15 states. Employees at the Clearwater location, 2693 Gulf to Bay Blvd, were told of the closure on the same day the doors locked. Similar reports came from Melbourne (1510 W. New Haven) and Orlando (303 N. Alafaya).
Smokey Bones was acquired by private equity firm Oak Hill Capital in 2020. The company had already closed locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, and Tampa in 2025. Over the past decade, the chain operated in cities like Brandon, Jacksonville, and Wellington but has since pulled out of most of those markets.
Erin Mandzik, a company spokesperson, said in a statement: 'All Smokey Bones locations have ceased operations. On behalf of Management, it has been a privilege to serve our customers.' Employees in Illinois, where the chain had one remaining location, were also notified of the closure on April 27 with no advance warning.
Local food industry workers say the sudden shutdown leaves a gap in the market for barbecue. The Orlando location had been a regular spot for families and events since 1999. With no new restaurants planned, Florida diners now must seek out other barbecue spots.