South Florida lost two more chain restaurants last week.
Just a few weeks after TGI Fridays closed after 40 years in Coral Springs, two Smokey Bones locations closed permanently as their corporate owners embark upon a new strategy.
The restaurants were located in Fort Lauderdale, at 6500 N. Federal Highway, and in Plantation, at 809 S. University Drive.
Patrons announced the closures last week on Facebook and by this week, the locations were no longer listed on Smokey Bones’ website.
A placard informs restaurant patrons that the Smokey Bones on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale has been shuttered permanently. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
An additional South Florida location, in Wellington, closed in 2021.
The Plantation location operated at the site since 2002 while the Fort Lauderdale location opened in 2005.
The closures leave just one remaining Smokey Bones in South Florida: In West Boca, at 21733 State Road 7.
The West Boca restaurant has operated at the site since 2003.
On Sept. 2, the chain’s owner, Twin Hospitality Group, announced plans to convert 19 of its 60 Smokey Bones restaurants into “better-performing” Twin Peaks lodges, known for their similarity to Hooters’ “breastaurant” style.
Another 15 would be permanently closed, Twin Hospitality said, including 10 that were already shuttered and five more that would close before the end of the third quarter.
The company did not identify which locations would be converted to Twin Peaks and which would be closed permanently. Spokespersons for Twin Peaks did not respond to emails seeking more information.
Considering the chain’s turbulent history, one might be surprised that any “Smokey Bones” restaurant remains open today.
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, creators of Olive Garden and Red Lobster, founded the chain in 1999 with the goal of turning it into the first national barbecue chain.
By 2006, Darden had built 127 Smokey Bones Barbecue & Grill locations, primarily in Florida, the Southeast and Midwest.
But at about the same time, Darden reported that sales had rapidly fallen at the chain, saying that surveys found women were turned off by its sports bar theme and barbecue focus. Darden announced plans to reduce the chain’s emphasis on meat products and add salads, wraps, and grilled chicken dishes to its menu.
In late 2007, Darden closed 54 Smokey Bones and sold the remaining 73 to Sun Capital Partners affiliate Barbeque Integrated Inc.
During its tenure, Sun Capital Partners changed the name to Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill and reemphasize meat products on its menu.
In 2023, Sun Capital, former owner of Boston Market, sold the chain, now comprised of 61 units, to FAT Brands Inc., which owned 17 different restaurant brands, including Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses.
FAT Brands then spun off the Smokey Bones and Twin Peaks chains into a subsidiary called Twin Hospitality Group.
The closures of 15 Smokey Bones and conversions of 19 were announced on Sept. 2. Two restaurants that were previously converted generated far more revenue — $7.8 million per restaurant compared to $3.5 million when they were Smokey Bones, according to a Twins Hospitality Group news release.
Ken Brendemihl, former chief operating officer of Alamo Drafthouse, was named as Smokey Bones’ new president, the release said. It added that the company would begin franchising a portion of the remaining locations.
