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Smokey Bones Shuts Down in Millcreek After Two Decades
Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, USAWednesday, April 29, 2026
# **Iconic Smokey Bones Restaurant in Millcreek Shuts Down After 20 Years**
A long-standing staple of Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, has served its final meal. The restaurant, nestled near Millcreek Mall on Interchange Road, announced its permanent closure with a stark declaration: **"WE ARE PERMANENTLY CLOSED."**
The shutdown follows financial turmoil, as FAT Brands—the parent company behind Smokey Bones—filed for bankruptcy earlier this year to restructure its overwhelming debt. The closure coincides with reports of additional Smokey Bones locations shutting down in Pennsylvania and New York, casting doubt on the chain’s long-term viability.
## **From Humble Beginnings to Nationwide Expansion**
Founded in Orlando, Florida, in **1999** under Darden Restaurants, Smokey Bones once boasted over **120 locations** across the country. Fast forward to 2025, and the brand now operates under **Twin Hospitality Group**, which took control of both **Twin Peaks** and Smokey Bones.
Twin Peaks, renowned for its lodge-style sports bars and the infamous "Twin Peaks Girls" waitstaff, has been actively converting select Smokey Bones locations into its own brand. While the company has earmarked 19 spots for rebranding, the fate of the Millcreek location remains undecided.
A Brand Remade in the Shadow of Twin Peaks
The transition hasn’t gone unnoticed. Years of speculation have drawn comparisons between Twin Peaks and Hooters, both relying on a similar formula: hearty food in a sports bar atmosphere, where the staff becomes as integral to the brand as the menu itself.
For now, Millcreek residents are left wondering—will this space transform into a Twin Peaks, or vanish into the annals of local dining history? With no official word yet, the future hangs in the balance.
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