BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Smokey Bones has permanently closed its Boca Raton restaurant, according to a customer-facing message sent by the chain that informed recipients the location had “permanently closed” and thanked guests for their “memories, the meals, and the community we’ve built together here.”
Boca Post has confirmed this was the last remaining Smokey Bones location operating in South Florida. The closure ends the chain’s footprint in the region, at least for now, and it leaves open questions about what happens next at the property.
The shutdown also lands amid a broader reshaping of the Smokey Bones brand by its parent company. On Sept. 2, Twin Hospitality Group announced plans to convert 19 of its 60 Smokey Bones restaurants into “better-performing” Twin Peaks lodges. Twin Peaks is known nationally for its sports-bar format and for a “breastaurant”-style concept similar to Hooters.
In that same announcement, Twin Hospitality Group said another 15 Smokey Bones locations would be permanently closed. The company said 10 were already shuttered, and five more were expected to close before the end of the third quarter. The company did not identify which restaurants would be converted to Twin Peaks and which would close permanently.
Boca Post reached out to Twin Peaks seeking clarification on whether the Boca Raton Smokey Bones property is slated for conversion or if another operator may take the space. Spokespersons did not respond to emails requesting more information.
Locally, the closure has already triggered practical concerns from customers and former regulars, especially around gift cards. In neighborhood social media discussions, one resident wrote that anyone hoping to use remaining gift cards is “out of luck,” adding, “no refunds,” and claiming they were told to hold onto them for a future trip to the nearest location in Orlando. Others suggested reselling gift cards through third-party sites.
Other posts reflected a mix of disappointment, frustration, and resignation. Some residents said they would miss specific staff members and menu staples, with one commenter mentioning a “favorite waiter Steve,” along with “their french fries and BBQ.” Others described the restaurant as inconsistent in recent years, with one person saying the food was “hit or miss,” while another wrote the location had been “going downhill for years.”
There was also debate about what should replace it, with suggestions ranging from a “high end steak house” to a New York-style diner, a “decent sports bar,” or a new regional barbecue concept. A handful of posters said they had stopped going long ago, while others said Smokey Bones had been a regular weekly spot.
What is clear is that the building now sits at the intersection of two realities: a confirmed permanent closure on the Smokey Bones side, and an announced corporate strategy to either convert or close additional Smokey Bones restaurants without specifying which addresses fall into each bucket. Until the company identifies specific sites, the future of the Boca Raton property remains unconfirmed.
Residents watching this space should pay attention to any public-facing leasing activity, signage changes, or permitting that might signal whether a new tenant is moving in or whether a conversion is underway.
For now, the chain’s message to customers is straightforward: this location is closed, and guests are being directed to other Smokey Bones locations outside South Florida.
Shucks!! I like Smokey Bones better than Twin Peaks!! Hopefully our area will be updated with another restaurant brands I have seen in other parts of Florida.