RENO — The owner of Bully's Sports Bar & Grill in Reno says he's been forced to file for bankruptcy protection because of a loss of business due to the state ban on indoor smoking and a general downturn in the economy.

Paul Sonner says his 13 bars and restaurants across northern Nevada will continue to operate as usual in the meantime.

Sonner responded to the 2007 smoking ban on bars that serve food by launching several "Smokin' Bully's" establishments near other Bully's stores where smokers could order food and have it delivered.

That endeavor cost around $1 million to build new facilities, Sonner said, and just as he undertook that venture the recession set in.

On the bright side, Sonner says he expect business to improve in the coming year and doesn't anticipate laying off any of his 300 employees.

Sonner also said he has been able to renegotiate most of his facilities' rent increases from the past year, which had been as high as 14 percent.