SURG Restaurant Group Cuts Ryan Braun Loose

The collateral damage from Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun’s suspension for using performance enhancing drugs continued on September 5th when the SURG Restaurant Group announced it was ending its business relationship with him. This is just the latest in a string of business relationships that have ended for Braun since he was suspended in July: he’s lost deals with Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Wisconsin based Kwik Trip gas station/convenience stores among others.

Braun’s name is attached to two of SURG’s restaurants (plus one more property still under development) through a licensing agreement.  These include Graffito in Milwaukee’s Third Ward arts and entertainment district, as well as the 8-Twelve MPV Bar and Grill in suburban Brookfield and a restaurant with the same name slated for suburban Glendale. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is also associated with the 8-Twelve establishments and his relationship with the company will continue. The restaurants will be rebranded, at least dropping the “8”, which is Braun’s uniform number.

Before the suspension, Graffito was called Ryan Braun’s Graffito, and at the end of the year it will have another new name: Closed. SURG announced it will close the restaurant after the holidays. There was no word on if the company will put another one in that location or if the employees will be offered positions with other SURG restaurants.  A year ago, we ate at Graffito and found it to be a nice place with good food and a nice pleasant staff who unfortunately will lose their jobs over something they had nothing to do with.

Meanwhile, Braun has taken another small step in his road to redemption. He requested the names of Brewers’ season ticket holders and is personally calling them and apologizing.  While he’s at it, he should add the names of the displaced restaurant workers to that apology call list.