Alexander Comisar Sues Bao Brewhouse Over Ownership Dispute
The former co-owner claims he was wrongfully terminated after requesting financial records and that his equity stakes were improperly restructured.
By Aiko Brooks ·
Former co-owner and chief operating officer Alexander Comisar has filed a lawsuit against Bao Brewhouse and its owner, Michael Swift, alleging wrongful termination and unpaid compensation for his equity stakes.
The complaint was filed in court on October 27. It details a dispute over Comisar's financial interests in the restaurant group and its associated ventures, including Bao Tennyson and the frozen dumpling brand Dump’d.
According to the filing, Comisar was granted a 4% equity stake in Bao Brewhouse in January 2024. He subsequently received a 25% stake in Bao Tennyson in February 2025 and a 5% stake in Dump’d in September 2025. The agreement stated that distributions from these stakes would replace his previous salary. Comisar later reduced his Bao Tennyson stake to 20% to make room for an additional partner.
The lawsuit asserts that Comisar received no compensation for his Bao Tennyson involvement until two months after the location opened. He then requested access to financial and accounting records for both the Tennyson and Downtown locations but was denied access.
In January 2026, the complaint states that Comisar received an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement. This document removed his existing interest and replaced it with a Bonus Incentive Plan. The plan designated him as an at-will employee with a 5% interest that would vest over four years.
The complaint quotes the amended agreement, noting that the previously agreed 20% ownership would drop to 0% and vest in segments over the next four years. This vesting was conditional upon Comisar's continued employment, which the agreement stated was terminable at Swift's sole discretion.
Comisar did not sign the bonus agreement. He argues that he remained uncompensated for his previously agreed 20% stake in Bao Tennyson. The complaint includes an email from Swift dated January 21. In the message, Swift stated that Bao Tennyson carried approximately $1,000,000 in debt for which he was personally liable. Swift wrote that no partner would receive distributions until that debt was paid off.
Swift also offered to sell Comisar an 18% equity stake in Bao Brewhouse for $385,000. The complaint describes this offer as purportedly helping Swift pay off debt. Comisar declined the offer.
In February 2026, Comisar submitted a written request for financial statements, bank correspondence, and related information. He sought this data to determine whether he could continue the relationship with Swift. Two weeks after this request, Swift terminated Comisar.
Comisar is seeking payment for his ownership stake during his tenure. He is also pursuing unspecified damages for the involuntary dissociation of his 20% ownership in Bao Tennyson and his 5% ownership in Dump’d. The suit includes claims for unpaid wages, attorney’s fees, and wrongful termination damages to be determined at trial.
Neither the legal team representing Comisar nor Swift responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
More Business · Consumer Watch · Report a business · Got a Story?
