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Is this true? I wonder why if so.  
 
Edited by Someday.., 2017-09-07 11:46:58

Edited by admin, 2017-12-18 22:01:17. Reason: title update

Thats really too bad, the Browns franchise has a great concept and any time I'd been in it seemed like it was being well-executed here.  
 
In all of this, one has to keep in mind that whether related or not this is happening against the backdrop of everything thats being built in the Shoppers Mall lot. By this time next year I imagine there will have been quite a bit of change in the restaurant industry with all of those new brands, tables, staffing needs about to be a reality.

EDIT (1:32 PM): 
I see that Q Country has a brief piece that notes the closure for renovations and that says renovations will take 2-5 weeks with re-opening expected in early October:
http://www.qcountryfm.ca/news-weather/news-sports-details/newsarticle/browns-socialhouse-closed-for-renovations/

Not that its the same restaurant and not to suggest that either restaurants circumstances are related, but some might remember there was a different source saying Gullivers was to open two months ago. For that reason I might personally take a bit of a wait and see as far as restaurant timelines.

More via the Sun, who are saying that the restaurant has closed operations. They then quote local ownership as saying:  
[i]"That restaurant is going to undergo some renovations and a new concept will be open there somewhere between three and six weeks"[/i]  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/Browns-Sociahouse-has-closed-443056953.html

That site appears to be down as of now (just showing a blank white page). That's one reason why when posting a link it would be appreciated if supporting info was also included in your post so that there's basis for discussion.  
 
Here's a current link from the Sun with more info, in which it's stated by the now former local franchisee that the split took place because franchisee and franchisor "felt it was in the best interests of each other to go in a different direction." Also states that a new local restaurant is expected in to open in its place by the end of the month:  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/browns-socialhouse-in-brandon-closes-443150893.html  
 
There's no comment I've seen from Browns Restaurant group as of now, though I do have a message in with them. I'll be interested to see how significant of changes they're able to make over that time. I imagine they would have to go far enough so as to not be confused with Browns, their branding, etc?  
 
Re gift certificates, I've had a question in with local ownership of Blu/Gullivers for quite some time regarding status of past certificates with that restaurant. I have the same question in with the same person regarding Browns and will update if I learn anything. At least in that case there might be an option with the franchise?

Looks like the link is back up. Saw your title and went in hopeful there'd be more in depth info on Browns itself considering the close relationship between that sites main operator and the owner of these restaurants (especially on the gift cert topic for both restaurants). The human being in me can’t fault someone for not going into the hard questions when it involves a friend…. I know first hand that it can be tricky to present a story in a balanced way when that's the case.
 
The link does re-iterate that the intent is to re-open under a new banner in short order after brief renos. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.  
 
Re gift certs, I do think it makes sense to separate the situations with Blu/Gullivers and Browns. Browns will have the extra accountabilities that come with operating their brand across the country and wouldn’t be surprised if information is forthcoming regarding what people can do with money they’ve spent. I will update if I learn anything.

There's a more extensive piece via the Sun at the link below.  
In it the local owner speaks positively about the franchise but gives the impression that it was a mutual decision between himself and Browns, with him finding the structure of a franchise to be too restrictive for his more locally-focused ambitions. The article also states that the local owner has been working with the franchise for three months to make this happen as opposed to the perception that it happened overnight. Though there has been no comment from Browns, this would all seem to run counter to the one thought I've seen that it may have been Browns' decision to terminate.  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/business-owner-plans-for-life-after-browns-socialhouse-in-brandon-443367663.html  
 

Also a brief update from Q to their original story, regarding intent to open as a new as-yet-unknown restaurant:
http://www.qcountryfm.ca/news-weather/news-sports-details/newsarticle/browns-socialhouse-closed-for-renovations/

Still no public comment that I've seen from either side about gift cards, but if this was in the works for three months I'd presume some thought has been given to how they'll be handled and that information will be forthcoming. 

One option, though it involves travel.... I gather that there shouldn't be any issue using gift cards at the Browns franchise's other locations including Winnipeg or Saskatchewan. Exception being any $5 off coupons/paper cards that note the Brandon location right on them.

I've been able to connect with a representative of Browns Restaurant Group. I've been told that their preference would be that customers save any pre-loaded gift cards for their next visit to another Browns location, but they understand that this may not be convenient and would be happy to assist people in the event that they want their funds returned. In the event there is a refund request, folks can contact giftcards (-@-) brownsrestaurantgroup.com to co-ordinate (they're saying you can expect a reply back within 24 hrs)  
 
They also wanted to thank all the loyal guests who have been customers at the Brandon location, and are sorry to be unable to continue doing business at this location.

A little more on how they intend to use the building going forward, Wheat City Bar and Grill is said to be distancing itself from Browns as much as possible:  
https://www.brandonsun.com/local/wheat-city-bar--grill-set-to-open-at-site-of-former-browns-socialhouse-444795193.html

try this:
http://bit.ly/2w44gn3

Is there a link re the info that Blu might have allegedly been a reason for the change in Browns, or is it speculation?

There is a little more to why blu is taking so long to reopen than it being in competition with Brown's.