Legacy Bay Area BBQ Chain Closes 5 Locations Amid Slumping Sales and Inflation

BAY AREA, CA — Legacy Bay Area barbecue joint Armadillo Willy's has closed nearly all of its locations over the past several weeks citing inflation and erratic business.

The Dublin location closed April 19, the restaurant chain's CEO Kevin Roberts announced in a bulletin posted to the storefront last month.

"The past five years have been a very difficult road for our restaurant," Roberts said. "Following the pandemic, business patterns have been erratic and the restaurant never seemed to regain traction in returning to pre-pandemic sales levels."

Roberts also said inflation and the drop in sales has been "too much to overcome."

On June 17, the chain closed its storefronts in Sunnyvale, San Jose and Santa Clara, the eatery shared on social media.

"Here’s to the memories, the smoke, the sauce, and the soul," the post read.

The restaurant has offered its Texas-inspired wood-fired barbecue across the Bay Area for four decades.

"I'm so sad to hear of their closing," Marilyn E. of San Ramon wrote on Yelp on June 18. "No other bbq in the East Bay can hold a candle to them!!! Now what the heck am I gonna do?? Willie this was not the way to break up with me!! But I'll still always love you, or at least the memory of you, and all the great meals you fed me!! I'll be broken hearted for a long time!"

Known for its specialty sauce, its $99.99 "Belly Buster" Barbecue platter and otherwise massive menu, the restaurant once operated six locations across the region.

Now, just the San Mateo location remains at 2260 Bridgepointe Pkwy, San Mateo.

"It makes me very sad that this painful step must be taken," Roberts wrote. "I have done everything I can to avoid this outcome."