Popular BBQ Chain Closes Metro Detroit Restaurant, 1 Other MI Site

UTICA, MI — A popular barbecue restaurant chain has closed two Michigan locations, including one in metro Detroit.

Smokey Bones, known for its barbecue platters, ribs and steak, has permanently closed its Utica and Grand Rapids locations.

Phone calls to both locations Tuesday were met with an automatic recording saying that "unfortunately, this location has been permanently closed."

The only other Smokey Bones location in Michigan is in Lansing, which was still open as of Tuesday.

The closures come after Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Smokey Bones, announced earlier this month that it was planning to close 15 underperforming sites, as well as rebrand 19 others.

The company said 10 of those stores had already closed, while five others were planned to close by the end of the fiscal third quarter. They have not released an official list of stores that have or that are planning to close.

"The closure of these locations, coupled with the removal of approximately $1.5 million in associated corporate overhead, is projected to materially enhance EBITDA performance," the company said in a news release.

There are 26 Smokey Bones locations remaining across the country. Twin Hospitality Group Inc. also has three Twin Peaks restaurants in Michigan, including in Livonia, Auburn Hills and Madison Heights.