I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that just about everyone absolutely adores BBQ. It's got to be one of, if not just the best comfort foods there can be. But, if this tragic closure is anything to go by, it might be dying.
As reported by the New York Post, popular BBQ chain Smokey Bones has closed another one of its restaurants. It closed several locations across New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Rhode Island within one day - April 28.
The reason behind the closure is because its parent company, FAT Brands Inc., filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. And now, the restaurants are grappling to keep themselves alive.
The shutdown of the Colonie, NY location was pretty tragic, too. A local news source was told that staff weren't even aware. They were told the very same day. I'm not sure how I would've handled it, but I know for sure things wouldn't have been pretty.
And that's a trend that seems to be continuing across the brand's restaurants. Sudden closures with no notice to the staff. And even the announcement to prospective customers has been sudden. A note taped to the door of a branch in Warwick, Rhode Island, simply read, "We regret to announce that this location has permanently closed its doors as of Tuesday, April 28th,"
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The BBQ Chain Has Previously Stated the Restaurants Would Stay Open
Despite the bankruptcy fears from their parent company, Smokey Bones previously stated that business would continue as usual. But, that's hardly the case.
FAT Brands Inc. alongside its operating arm Twin Hospitality Group Inc. previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on January 26. They claimed that this wouldn't affect restaurants, and it was just to manage debt.
A statement from Twin Hospitality at the time reads, "Twin Hospitality expects the brands will remain open and operating as usual and will continue delivering their signature guest experiences."
But, the BBQ chain's website now says that all locations are closed on every day of the week. This has prompted customers to question whether they will ever get to eat at the chain again.
