Smokey Bones restaurant is the latest in a string of restaurants to close in Columbus Park Crossing. The popular BBQ restaurant abruptly closed all of its remaining locations nationwide April 28, 2026, following a January 2026 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by its parent company, FAT Brands according to multiple reports.
Surrounding restaurants like Red Lobster immediately took to social media to offer blindsided employees open positions at their respective locations in North Columbus. Employees of Smokey Bones were given little to no notice of the immediate closing.
According to the parent company’s website, FAT Brands is a leading global franchising company that strategically acquires, markets and develops fast-casual, quick-service, casual dining, and polished casual dining concepts around the world. The company transitioned some Smokey Bones restaurants across the country into Twin Peaks, but Columbus already has a Twin Peaks restaurant.
Smokey Bones is the fourth restaurant to close at Columbus Park Crossing in the last month. Wild Wing Cafe, Hooters and Spudzilla have all closed in recent weeks.
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