Smokey Bones, a long-standing restaurant in West Boca Raton, has officially closed its doors as part of a broader corporate restructuring affecting nearly 80 locations nationwide. This development follows a prior temporary closure due to health issues, but now the permanent shutdown stems from financial difficulties within the company.
The Smokey Bones location near U.S. 441 and Palmetto Park Road had been serving the community for nearly twenty years. Its closure is part of a strategic move by Twin Hospitality Group, which has taken over operations after acquiring Smokey Bones from FAT Brands Inc. in 2023 and subsequently spinning it off in January 2025. As part of their optimization efforts, Twin Hospitality has identified 19 of the chain’s restaurants for conversion to “Twin Peaks” locations, a brand also owned by the group.
A company press release highlighted the financial rationale behind these changes. Two conversions to Twin Peaks have already occurred, yielding much higher average unit volumes, around $7.8 million, compared to the $3.5 million reported under the Smokey Bones brand. This shift appears aimed at reversing the financial struggles, with plans to close five more underperforming Smokey Bones restaurants by the fiscal third quarter.
Amid these transitions, there exists speculation about the future occupancy of the now-vacant restaurant space, particularly as Hooters considers leaving its longstanding Boca Raton location and may seek a new, fully-equipped venue in the area.
While the closure of Smokey Bones marks the end of an era for many local patrons, the transformation into more successful restaurant formats offers hope for revitalization in the community’s dining scene.