The Deep Deuce Grill Will Return? Part II
Tyler and Lane Peyton during happier times at the Deep Deuce Grill
I finally reached Lane Peyton, who along with his brother Tyler operated the Deep Deuce Grill until midnight Wednesday. If there is one thing Peyton and building owner/landlord/restaurant founder Craig Brown agree on, it’s that there were “differences.”
“It was definitely not friendly,’ Peyton said. “There may be more to come.”
Peyton said he was negotiating in good faith to renew the lease for the restaurant and was surprised when Brown shut it down and locked the doors. Peyton said it took him five days to recover all of his assets.
One asset may yet to be disputed: the name.
I’m not sure how this all works, but apparently even though Brown named the restaurant and opened it before signing a lease with the Peytons a few years later, Lane Peyton says he has a trademark on the name.
Will the restaurant reopen? Brown says yes, and with new operators. Peyton says there is “debate as to who has the right to do it.”
I don’t know what to make of all this other than to give you both sides, which I have done, and note that an overwelming majority of readers at www.okccentral.com and www.okctalk.com have indicated they were none too happy with the Peytons’ operation during the final year or so.
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Comments
Good question David… we have Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association, and at least a few restaurant operators as regular visitors here at http://www.okccentral.com. Hopefully one of them can answer this for you.
Bldg. owner elected to not renew a lease.
Should be end of story as to former lessee.
As for the former name? That’s easy if I am property owner. Hang the name (and any unfortunate reputation which may linger, if that’s indeed the case.) Rebrand, bring in new lessee, and go forward. No need to get bogged down in a dispute over the name, not when there is money to be made and folks are used to seeing new names in the BT area anyway.
Money always rains on good restaurants. But as Steve has said before and has been confirmed countless times in BT and the surrounding area, its a bit naive to think you’re just going to throw open the doors open on a new BT or DD establishment and be run over by all the money coming in. You better be ready to produce – or you’ll be gone.
BTW Steve, any story there on “Roosters”? Or is it just another bar trying to make it in BT?
Even though I can’t imagine they have any legal right to it, I say let the Peyton brothers keep the name. That way, it will be easier to ensure I avoid their restaurant in future. 
If this ends up in court, Mr. Brown should countersue the Peytons for ruining the reputation of Deep Deuce Grill.
How was business? I thought with the Thunder downtown money would rain down on all the restaurants – it didn’t it?