OT: Brann's Restaurant chain signs Calvin Johnson to 2 year exlusive promotional deal

Submitted by wresler120 on

The negotiations lasted several months, but the locally based Brann's restaurant chain announced Thursday it has reached an exclusive two-year agreement with NFL superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson to promote its nine locations throughout the state of Michigan.

Johnson, an All-Pro wide receiver for the Detroit Lions last season, has signed a contract to become the official spokesperson of the Brann's Sizzling Steaks & Sports Grille chain with its four locations in the Grand Rapids area and restaurants in Holland, Portage, Muskegon and Detroit suburbs of Macomb Township and Northville.

 

I assume this cost quite a bit of money. It's surprising to see a chain the size of Brann's land an exlusive promotional deal with an athlete of Calvin Johnson's stature. I wonder what the deal was actually worth.

I also wonder what Bill "HUGE" Simonson thinks about this.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2011/07/branns_restaurant_chain_signs.html

JimLahey

July 21st, 2011 at 5:36 PM ^

Very interesting, I'm extremely curious to get the terms of the deal. No doubt that free meals for him and his family is included but he makes like a billion dollars a year so how much can they afford to pay him? Also, it's never a bad thing to be involved with a good company that does all of it's business in the team's home state, looks good for the fans.

BlueBadger

July 21st, 2011 at 5:55 PM ^

There's a Brann's in Northville?!?!  How did I not know this? Been in Muskegon, didn't know there was one where I grew up! They got one more customer when I go home to visit the parents just because this was posted on mgoblog. Their investment is already paying off.

Wolverine96

July 21st, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^

The deal is probably for somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-$50k per year. Unless you are a Tom Brady with national appeal these local deals are not worth as much as you'd expect.

ND Sux

July 22nd, 2011 at 7:36 AM ^

so we go to Brann's over there.  I think the one we go to is the original.  I love that place, although Founder's is my #1 Grand Rapids eat/drinkery. 

Meeeeshigan

July 22nd, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^

Startling for a Grand Rapids-based restaurant chain. I actually went to high school with the daughter of the founder of this chain in Grand Rapids. It's a decent restaurant chain, but I never would have predicted they'd sign a deal like this.