After more than half a century, one of San Antonio’s most iconic dining spots is closing its doors.
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, a fixture of downtown for 54 years, has shut its flagship restaurant—the same location that also served as the main production hub for the chain’s 80-plus restaurants—on September 12.
A Shift to a New $60 Million Headquarters
The closure comes as the chain focuses on a massive new headquarters project just a short distance away on State Highway 151.
The $60 million facility spans 335,000 square feet, combining offices, a warehouse, and a production area.
Despite its size, the company has confirmed that the new HQ will not include a restaurant.
From Small Stand to Texas Staple
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q started in 1953 as a modest fried chicken stand.
Over the decades, it grew into a household name in Texas, now operating 76 Bar-B-Q locations and six Laguna Madre Seafood Co. restaurants.
Founder Bill Miller ran the early business alongside his wife Faye, who worked as cashier and hostess, while raising four children who all became involved in the family business.
Downtown Residents Mourn the Closure
Locals are already lamenting the loss of the flagship, especially the distinctive aroma of smoked brisket that used to drift through downtown.
“Gonna miss that wonderful smokehouse scent as I pass by… downtown has changed so much it’s hardly recognizable anymore,” one fan wrote on Facebook.
Another shared, “I used to love parking across the street at Kmart, enjoying the smokehouse aroma… All of that is changed now.”
Some are even urging the chain to consider reopening somewhere in the heart of downtown to keep the tradition alive.
Struggles Across the Restaurant Industry
While Bill Miller continues to expand in Texas, many other restaurant chains across the U.S. have not been as fortunate.
Rising costs have pushed up menu prices, driving some customers away.
Big-name chains like Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, and Boston Market have all closed multiple locations.
In California, chains have been hit hardest due to a minimum wage increase for fast-food workers to $20 an hour.
Mexican chain Rubio’s shut 48 locations last year and filed for bankruptcy.
Mom-and-pop operations are also feeling the pressure, with long-standing establishments like Fargo’s Pit BBQ in Texas closing after decades of service.
Hooters and TGI Fridays have also been scaling back, shutting numerous underperforming locations, restructuring policies, and, in Hooters’ case, filing for bankruptcy earlier this year.
A Legacy of Barbecue
Though the flagship is gone, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q’s legacy remains strong across Texas, with fans continuing to celebrate the chain’s food and history. The Daily Mail has reached out to the company for comment and is awaiting a response.