The 6 Biggest Chain Restaurant Closures Of 2026 So Far - Tasting Table

"These days, going out to a restaurant - even a casual chain restaurant - has become exorbitantly expensive for many diners, which means that people are choosing to cook meals at home more often. That decision is great for your wallet, of course, but it spells disaster for a lot of chains, which are closing locations at a surprising speed. Lots of customers say that various chain restaurants simply aren't worth it anymore, with those higher prices along with a noticeable decline in food quality and service since the pandemic."

"There are quite a few restaurant chains that are planning major closures for 2026, and at the time of writing, there are already several that have gone through with those plans. These are the biggest chain restaurant closures of 2026 so far. Don't expect the list to end here, though - there are probably a lot more coming in the second half of the year."

"Perhaps one of the most noticeable restaurant chain closures in 2026 so far has been Smokey Bones, a BBQ chain restaurant that boasted at least 30 restaurants in 15 different states in the U.S. Unfortunately, the company announced that all of its locations had closed as of April 28, 2026. Customers who were hoping to snag themselves a rack of ribs or one of the many other barbecue dishes Smokey Bones had once listed on its menu were disappointed to find signs affixed to the doors of their local Smokey Bones restaurants declaring that not only had their individual store closed, but all of the chain's brands had ceased operations entirely."

"The announcement was, to say the least, unexpected. Many people who worked for the restaurant didn't even know it was closing until the day it was actually shuttered, April 28. That leaves at least some former employees, most of whom probably depended on their employment for their livelihood, unexpec"

Prices have risen sharply, making restaurant meals increasingly expensive. Many diners respond by cooking at home more often, which reduces demand for chain restaurants. Several chains report that higher prices coincide with declines in food quality and service since the pandemic, making locations feel less worth visiting. In 2026, multiple chains are planning major closures, and some have already completed them. Smokey Bones, a BBQ chain with at least 30 restaurants across 15 U.S. states, announced that all locations closed as of April 28, 2026. Signs on closed doors indicated that not only individual stores shut down, but the chain’s brands ceased operations entirely. Some employees reportedly learned of the closure only on the day it happened.

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