In a dramatic turn for one of Ohio’s most beloved barbecue brands, **Ray Ray’s Hog Pit — a once-expanding BBQ chain — has closed multiple locations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025 after years of rising meat costs and shrinking profit margins.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit has shuttered three of its central Ohio locations and entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection — a legal move designed to give the business breathing room to restructure its debts while maintaining operations at its remaining units. The filings cite the relentless surge in beef prices (ground beef up ~13% year-over-year and steak up ~16.6% as of August 2025) and broader supply pressures as key drivers behind the closures and reorganization efforts.
Why America’s BBQ Fans Are Suddenly Reading Bankruptcy Headlines
It feels surreal to see a BBQ chain like Ray Ray’s — once synonymous with slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, and Central Ohio flavor — in financial distress. But the numbers paint a clearer picture.
Chapter 11 Explained
Chapter 11 bankruptcy isn’t liquidation; it’s a legal framework that allows a business to reorganize its debts while still operating under court supervision. Ray Ray’s parent company, Smoke Ring, LLC, filed its voluntary petition on December 19, 2025, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Under this protection:
- The company continues to operate its remaining restaurants.
- Creditors are temporarily prevented from seizing assets.
- A reorganization plan must be submitted by March 19, 2026 under Subchapter V rules.
This is a strategic move — it buys time to stabilize the business rather than shut it down entirely.
Locations That Closed and Those Still Open
Ray Ray’s didn’t announce the bankruptcy and closures in one sweeping moment — the retreat has been unfolding since late 2025.
Permanently Closed as of November 2025
- Johnstown location — Closed Nov. 12, 2025
- Marion location — Closed Nov. 12, 2025
- Linworth food truck — Closed as part of consolidation efforts in November 2025
These closures came suddenly for staff and customers alike, with some employees reportedly informed just hours before scheduled shifts.
Remaining Open (for now)
According to the chain’s public materials and bankruptcy data, four locations continue serving Central Ohio BBQ:
- Clintonville (Columbus): Dine-in & carry-out
- Franklinton (at Land-Grant Brewing): Walk-up BBQ service
- Westerville: Drive-thru and walk-up
- Granville: Dine-in & drive-thru
These outlets have become focal points of community support as the brand attempts to regroup.
The Economic Forces Behind the Closures
You can’t talk about BBQ without talking about meat — particularly beef — and that’s exactly the center of this crisis.
Beef Price Surge
By mid-2025, national economic data showed ballooning meat costs:
- Ground beef prices were ~13% higher year-over-year (Aug 2025 vs Aug 2024).
- Steak prices jumped ~16.6% in the same period.
- Steak, minced beef, and core cuts all faced persistent inflation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and global price monitors confirmed consumer-level meat inflation at levels rarely seen in modern American history.
Shrinking Cattle Herds
This isn’t just random inflation — the U.S. cattle inventory fell to its lowest level since the early 1950s, largely due to prolonged drought conditions and high feed costs. This shrinkage reduced supply at exactly the time global demand — especially from export markets — was rising.
The result? Barbecue restaurants — whose core menu items depend almost entirely on beef and pork — found themselves squeezed from both ends. Other dining concepts (like pizza or sandwich shops) could pivot to lower-cost ingredients; BBQ’s essential identity couldn’t.
Grassroots Reaction: Owners, Diners, and the Community
Local reaction has been intense and emotional.
At the community level, owners like James Anderson (the force behind Ray Ray’s) have publicly appealed for support at remaining locations, emphasizing community loyalty and urging locals to keep the barbecue tradition alive even as closures bite.
Online forums reflect mixed sentiment — from heartfelt long-time patronage to blunt criticism of quality standards and pricing. Some locals reported surprise and disappointment at abrupt closures, especially involving staff layoffs via text notice.
A Broader Wave of BBQ Bankruptcies in 2025
Ray Ray’s isn’t an outlier — it’s part of a wider industry strain.
Other BBQ brands and franchise operators also sought bankruptcy protection in 2025, citing similar financial pressures:
- Sticky Fingers Restaurants filed Chapter 11 earlier in the year.
- Burnt BBQ & Tacos in Texas filed under Subchapter V.
- A Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchise operator in Michigan filed for bankruptcy protection.
This sector-wide contraction highlights how vulnerable protein-heavy menus are to commodity price shocks — and how many regional chains now face existential choices about survival or closure.
What’s Next for Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Filing Chapter 11 doesn’t mean the end, but it does mean a crossroads.
Key Bankruptcy Milestones
- December 19, 2025: Chapter 11 petition filed.
- March 19, 2026: Deadline to submit a reorganization plan.
During this period:
- The chain will negotiate with creditors.
- Potential downsizing or closure of additional locations is possible.
- Brand restructuring — or finding investors — remains on the table.
If the plan succeeds, Ray Ray’s could emerge leaner and financially stable, preserving its remaining restaurants and perhaps reigniting new growth. If not, liquidation or sale of assets could follow.
Editorial Perspective: What This Means for BBQ Lovers
I’ve covered restaurant industry shifts for over a decade, and what we’re watching with Ray Ray’s is more than a local story — it’s an inflection point.
Barbecue culture in America is tribal and fiercely loyal. Brands like Ray Ray’s aren’t just eateries; they’re community hubs built on shared plates and backyard-style hospitality. Seeing such a brand grapple with systemic economic pressures reveals how vulnerable traditional models have become to macroeconomic shocks — especially in sectors tied to volatile commodity markets.
This isn’t just about higher prices on a menu board. It’s about how supply chain instability can ripple up to Main Street, reshaping businesses that once seemed recession-resilient. With beef prices only predicted to ease by 2027 at the earliest, industry watchers shouldn’t be surprised if more mid-size chains feel the squeeze.
What BBQ Fans Should Know
- Ray Ray’s Hog Pit has closed three locations (Johnstown, Marion, Linworth) and is restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
- Four locations remain operating in Central Ohio as of December 2025.
- Beef prices and supply issues were major contributing factors to financial distress.
- Reorganization plans are due by March 2026 in bankruptcy court.
For loyal customers and industry observers alike, this is a story worth watching — not just for nostalgia, but for what it reveals about the economics of flavor.
