Boneheads Grilled Fish * Piri Chicken

Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Chicken was a fast-casual dining concept known for its flame-grilled seafood and chicken, highlighted by the distinctive piri piri flavors. Established in 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, the brand aimed to offer a healthier, globally inspired alternative to the traditional fried offerings of seafood and chicken chains. Boneheads quickly stood out with its menu featuring grilled fish, shrimp, and chicken marinated in a unique piri piri sauce, complemented by a variety of fresh sides and salads.

Shortly after its inception, Boneheads began franchising and expanded to several locations across the southeastern United States, including states like Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. At its height, the company operated over 10 locations, comprising both company-owned and franchised stores. However, by the late 2010s, Boneheads encountered increasing competition and operational difficulties, resulting in a gradual reduction in its number of stores.

As of November 2025, Boneheads Grilled Fish & Piri Chicken has ceased operations, with the last known locations closing around 2018. The company's website is inactive, and it is listed as closed or defunct in various franchise directories. No acquisitions or mergers have been reported, and the brand has left its mark as an early adopter of the piri piri trend in American fast-casual dining. The former Boneheads locations have since been repurposed by other restaurant operators.

For commercial real estate professionals, Boneheads was a mid-sized, adaptable concept that favored high-traffic suburban and urban retail centers. It often co-located with other fast-casual and quick-service brands, reflecting a strategic approach to site selection. The closure of Boneheads underscores broader trends of consolidation in the fast-casual sector and highlights the critical importance of operational scale and brand differentiation in a competitive market.