Former Bao Brewhouse COO sues owner over unpaid equity and firing

Alexander Comisar filed a lawsuit on October 27 against Bao Brewhouse and owner Michael Swift, alleging he was not paid for his ownership stakes and was fired after asking for financial records.

The complaint details Comisar's role as the former chief operating officer and co-owner. The lawsuit states that in January 2024, he was granted a 4% equity stake in the main Bao Brewhouse location. He later received a 25% stake in the Bao Tennyson expansion in February 2025 and a 5% stake in the Dump’d Dumplings brand in September 2025. To allow another partner into the Tennyson venture, Comisar agreed to reduce his Tennyson stake to 20%.

According to the filing, Comisar received no compensation for his Tennyson work until two months after that location opened. He then requested access to financial and accounting records for both the Tennyson and Downtown locations. The complaint alleges that these records were never provided to him.

In January 2026, Comisar says he received an Amended and Restated Operating Agreement. This document removed his existing interest and replaced it with a Bonus Incentive Plan. Under this new plan, his 20% ownership would drop to 0% immediately. It would then vest in segments over four years, contingent on his continued employment as an at-will employee. Comisar did not sign the bonus agreement and says he has remained uncompensated for his previously agreed-upon stake.

The lawsuit includes an email from Swift dated January 21. The email states that Bao Tennyson carries approximately $1,000,000 in debt for which Swift is personally liable. It notes that no partner, including Swift, will receive distributions until that debt is paid off. Swift also offered to sell Comisar an 18% equity stake in Bao Brewhouse for $385,000 to help pay off debt, an offer Comisar declined.

In February 2026, Comisar submitted a written request to Swift for financial statements and bank correspondence. He wanted this information to determine if he could continue his relationship with Swift. Two weeks after that request, Swift fired Comisar, according to the complaint.

Comisar is seeking payment for his ownership stake during his tenure and unspecified damages for the involuntary dissociation of his 20% interest in Bao Tennyson and his 5% interest in Dump’d. He is also seeking unpaid wages, attorney’s fees, and wrongful termination damages to be determined at trial. Neither Comisar's legal team nor Swift responded to requests for comment.

Bao Brewhouse has expanded significantly since opening in Larimer Square nearly six years ago. The group added the Ukiyo omakase tasting room in February 2024 and the Bao Tennyson expansion in August 2025. The company also launched its Dump’d Dumplings frozen brand in January 2026. Just last week, the restaurant began selling four signature dumplings in the club-level section at Ball Arena.