--- title: about description: Sell your restaurant for its true worth with Jim Pate, a Certified Business Broker specializing in Restaurant, Bars, and select Main Street Businesses image: https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/hubfs/chub_backup/jim-pate-restaurant-broker-about.webp --- 100% Confidential | No Upfront Fees | [(916) 250-2012 — Call Jim Direct](tel:+19162502012) [![Restaurant Deal Brokers](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_horizontal_reversed.png?height=44&name=logo_horizontal_reversed.png)](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/) - [About Jim](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about) - [Service Areas](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) - [Sacramento Region](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) - [East Bay Corridor](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay) - [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay) - [Northern California](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-northern-california) - [Listings](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/listings) - [Insights](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/insights) [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [Free Evaluation →](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) [About Jim](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about) Service Areas [Sacramento Region](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) [East Bay Corridor](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay) [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay) [Northern California](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-northern-california) [Listings](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/listings) [Insights](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/insights) [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [Free Evaluation](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) # Jim Pate — Northern California Restaurant Broker Certified Business Broker  ·  Restaurant Deal Brokers  ·  Sacramento · East Bay · North Bay CBB — Certified Business Broker CA RE Broker #02067466 40+ Years in Restaurants U.S. Marine Corps Veteran ![Jim Pate, Certified Business Broker specializing in restaurant sales — Sacramento, East Bay, North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots/jim-pate-consulting-restaurant-owners.jpg?width=280&name=jim-pate-consulting-restaurant-owners.jpg) About Jim ## I've Sat on *Both Sides* of That Table — as a Restaurant Owner and as Your Broker. I'm a Certified Business Broker specializing in the confidential sale of restaurants, bars, cafés, and hospitality businesses across Northern California. But before any of that — I spent 40 years working in them. I started washing dishes at 14. I cooked on the line. I owned and operated a restaurant with my wife for 10 years. I sat at the closing table as a seller. That's not a backstory I share to be interesting — it's the reason I can sit across from you and actually understand what you're going through. --- The Story That Changed Everything ## When My Wife and I Decided to Sell Our Restaurant — We Had More Questions Than Answers We'd spent 10 years building something we were proud of — a full-service restaurant we ran together. We knew the restaurant business. Really knew it. But when the idea of selling came up, we went in circles for over a year. Not because we didn't want to move on. Because we had no idea how. What about our key employees — the ones who'd grown with us for 10 years? What would happen to them? We didn't want staff finding out before we were ready. We didn't want regulars to catch wind of it. We didn't know how to value a business when you don't own the building. That cycle went on for over a year — and we were experienced restaurant people. We just had never sold one before. "Sitting at that closing table as a seller — that's what made me certain about what I wanted to do next." When we finally closed, something was clear. The next chapter of my career was going to be helping other restaurant owners navigate exactly what we'd struggled through — being the person we wished we'd had. What I Actually Understand ## The Things That *Keep You Up at Night* Because they kept me up too. Every restaurant seller I work with is dealing with one or more of these: 🔒 #### Confidentiality You don't want employees, customers, or vendors finding out. There's a right way to go to market without disrupting what you've built. 💵 #### "What Is It Worth?" You don't own the building. Your numbers aren't perfect. That doesn't mean it's not sellable — it means you need an honest restaurant valuation, not a guess. 👥 #### Your Key Employees The people who've been with you for years. You want to make sure they'll be okay. That concern is real, and I take it seriously in every deal. 📋 #### The Process NDAs, financials, lease assignments, SBA financing, escrow. I walk you through every step so nothing is a surprise. 🗺️ #### Timing Your Exit Most owners wait too long or move before they're ready. I'll give you an honest read on where you stand first. 🤔 #### "Is It Even the Right Time?" Sometimes the answer is not yet. I'd rather tell you that now than waste your time or mine. --- The Journey ## 40 Years *in the Trenches* This isn't a career pivot into restaurant brokerage. This is my whole life. 🍽️ Age 14 → Marine Corps → Professional Kitchen From Dishwasher to Executive Chef Started at 14 washing dishes. After volunteering for the Marine Corps, I came back and worked every station — prep, line, sauté, kitchen manager, sous chef, chef, catering. High-volume operations including Harrah's Lake Tahoe. 🍳 Sacramento → Lake Tahoe → The Industry Fat City. California Fats. Harrah's. Then Every Restaurant in Between. Started as a line cook at Fat City in Old Sacramento. From there I was part of opening California Fats, also in Old Sacramento. Then Harrah's Convention Center in Lake Tahoe — large-scale hospitality at a different level entirely. After the kitchens I moved into food service consultive sales — Sysco, US Foods, Performance Food Service. Spent years sitting across from restaurant owners all over Northern California. Then my wife and I opened our own restaurant. I quit the sales career, went all in. That changed everything I thought I knew — and confirmed the rest. 🤝 Now Certified Business Broker — Restaurant Deal Brokers Transactions closed across [Sacramento](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region), the [East Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay), [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay), and rural Northern California — restaurants, bars, cafés, franchises, and commercial buildings. CBB designation, California RE Broker license, CABB and IBBA member. What Others Say ## From the People *Who've Been Through It* > "Jim has been great to work with on the lease assignment — which was an incredibly complicated deal. I would highly recommend Jim to any seller, buyer, or landlord. He will stay with it till it's done." George Manojlovic Senior VP, Fairbourne Properties > "Jim Pate has been great to work with. He always puts his clients first." Scott Cisneros VP / SBA Commercial Loans, Union Bank > "Jim has been incredibly knowledgeable and patient. His experience owning a restaurant made the entire buying process seamless. He goes above and beyond." Domenico Testa Restaurant Owner --- Frequently Asked Questions ## What Restaurant Owners *Ask Me First* Who is Jim Pate and what makes him different from other restaurant brokers? Jim Pate is a Certified Business Broker (CBB) and California RE Broker (DRE #02067466) who has spent 40+ years in the restaurant industry — starting as a dishwasher at 14, working up to executive chef, then food service sales for Sysco and US Foods, and finally owning and operating his own restaurant with his wife for 10 years. He sat at the closing table as a seller before he ever sat at one as a broker. That lived experience is what separates him from brokers who have only ever worked deals, never lived one. What areas does Jim Pate serve as a restaurant broker? Jim serves Northern California restaurant owners across three regions: [Greater Sacramento](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) (including Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, and Davis), the [East Bay 680 Corridor](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay) (Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Concord, Dublin, Danville, San Ramon, Livermore, Brentwood), and the [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay) (Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, Napa, and Sonoma). He maintains active buyer networks across all three regions. How does Jim Pate keep a restaurant sale confidential? Buyers must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before seeing any identifying information — financials, location, or staff. Your employees, regulars, suppliers, and landlord won't know your restaurant is for sale until you're ready to disclose. Confidentiality is built into every step of how Jim works, because he lived through the anxiety of it himself when he sold his own restaurant. What credentials does Jim Pate hold as a restaurant broker? Jim holds the Certified Business Broker (CBB) designation from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) — one of the highest professional credentials in business brokerage. He also holds a California Real Estate Broker license (DRE #02067466) and is an active member of both the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and the IBBA. Does Jim Pate offer a free restaurant valuation? Yes. Jim offers a free, confidential Broker's Opinion of Value (BOV) — a market-based estimate grounded in your actual financials, lease terms, and buyer demand. It's free, takes 24–48 hours, and comes with zero obligation. [Request yours here](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) or call Jim directly at (916) 250-2012. Semper Fidelis ## What the Corps Taught Me About *Closing Deals* The commitment to serving something bigger than yourself — that's what keeps you grounded in the mission. I volunteered. Nobody sent me. That discipline has been part of everything I've done since. Improvise  |  Adapt  |  Overcome "Always Faithful." United States Marine Corps ## Let's Have an Honest Conversation. No Pressure. No Pitch. You don't have to have it figured out. Just tell me where you are — and we'll figure out where you want to go. Free. Confidential. No obligation. [Get My Free Valuation →](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) [📞 Book a Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/jim474/restaurant-evaluation-exit-strategy-) Office Locations ## Two Offices. *One Broker You Can Actually Reach.* Sacramento **Restaurant Deal Brokers** 1401 21st Street, Suite #7104 Sacramento, CA 95811 United States [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com](mailto:jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com) Primary Office · Greater Sacramento Region Santa Rosa — North Bay **Restaurant Deal Brokers** 525 College Ave, Suite 115 Santa Rosa, CA 95404 United States [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com](mailto:jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com) North Bay Office · Wine Country Region **Jim Pate, CBB**  ·  Certified Business Broker  ·  CA Real Estate Broker #02067466  ·  CABB Member  ·  IBBA Member Serving   [Sacramento](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region)  ·  [East Bay / 680 Corridor](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay)  ·  [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay)  ·  Northern California *"If you don't plan to sell on your terms,* you'll most likely sell on someone else's. Let's talk." ![Restaurant Deal Brokers](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_horizontal_reversed.png?height=48&name=logo_horizontal_reversed.png) Northern California's Restaurant Exit Specialist. Serving Sacramento, East Bay, North Bay, and Northern California. [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [Free Evaluation →](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) CBB Certified CABB Member U.S. Veteran DRE #02067466 #### Service Areas - [Sacramento Region](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) - [East Bay Corridor](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay) - [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay) - [Northern California](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-northern-california) #### Quick Links - [About Jim](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about) - [Listings](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/listings) - [Insights](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/insights) - [Free Evaluation](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/privacy) © 2026 Restaurant Deal Brokers · Jim Pate · DRE #02067466 · Licensed in California - [Sacramento](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-sacramento-region) - [East Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-east-bay) - [North Bay](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-north-bay) - [Northern CA](https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/restaurant-broker-northern-california) [(916) 250-2012](tel:+19162502012) [Free Evaluation](https://hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com/en/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about#jim-pate", "@type" : "Person", "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Sacramento" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "East Bay — 680 Corridor" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "North Bay — Wine Country" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Northern California" } ], "description" : "Jim Pate is a Certified Business Broker (CBB) and California Real Estate Broker (DRE #02067466) specializing in the confidential sale of restaurants, bars, and food service businesses across Sacramento, the East Bay (680 Corridor), and the North Bay. A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and former restaurant owner with 40+ years in the hospitality industry, Jim founded Restaurant Deal Brokers to be the broker he wished he had when he sold his own restaurant.", "email" : "jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com", "hasCredential" : [ { "@type" : "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory" : "Professional Certification", "name" : "Certified Business Broker (CBB)", "recognizedBy" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)" } }, { "@type" : "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory" : "License", "name" : "California Real Estate Broker License #02067466", "recognizedBy" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "California Department of Real Estate" } }, { "@type" : "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name" : "CABB Member", "recognizedBy" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "California Association of Business Brokers" } }, { "@type" : "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "name" : "IBBA Member", "recognizedBy" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "International Business Brokers Association" } } ], "image" : "https://6663797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6663797/Headshots/jim-pate-restaurant-broker-about.webp", "jobTitle" : "Certified Business Broker (CBB) — Restaurant Exit Specialist", "knowsAbout" : [ "Restaurant brokerage", "Restaurant valuation", "Business sale confidentiality", "SBA financing", "Lease assignment", "Restaurant operations", "Food service business sales", "Northern California real estate" ], "name" : "Jim Pate", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tojimpate/", "https://www.facebook.com/JimPateRestaurantBroker" ], "telephone" : "+1-916-250-2012", "url" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Restaurant Deal Brokers", "url" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about#business", "@type" : [ "LocalBusiness", "ProfessionalService" ], "address" : [ { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Sacramento", "addressRegion" : "CA", "postalCode" : "95811", "streetAddress" : "1401 21st Street, Suite #7104" }, { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Santa Rosa", "addressRegion" : "CA", "postalCode" : "95404", "streetAddress" : "525 College Ave, Suite 115" } ], "aggregateRating" : { "@type" : "AggregateRating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5.0", "reviewCount" : "47", "worstRating" : "1" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "City", "containedIn" : { "@type" : "State", "name" : "California" }, "name" : "Sacramento" }, { "@type" : "City", "containedIn" : { "@type" : "State", "name" : "California" }, "name" : "Santa Rosa" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "East Bay — 680 Corridor" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "North Bay — Wine Country" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Northern California" } ], "description" : "Certified Business Broker specializing in the confidential sale of restaurants, bars, and food service businesses across Sacramento, East Bay, and North Bay, California.", "email" : "jim@restaurantdealbrokers.com", "founder" : { "@id" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about#jim-pate" }, "geo" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : 38.5816, "longitude" : -121.4944 }, "image" : "https://6663797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/6663797/Headshots/jim-pate-restaurant-broker-about.webp", "name" : "Jim Pate – Restaurant Deal Brokers", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "18:00", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday" ], "opens" : "08:00" } ], "priceRange" : "$$", "review" : [ { "@type" : "Review", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "George Manojlovic" }, "datePublished" : "2026-01-15", "reviewBody" : "Jim has been great to work with on the lease assignment — which was an incredibly complicated deal. I would highly recommend Jim to any seller, buyer, or landlord. He will stay with it till it's done.", "reviewRating" : { "@type" : "Rating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5" } }, { "@type" : "Review", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Scott Cisneros" }, "datePublished" : "2025-09-10", "reviewBody" : "Jim Pate has been great to work with. He always puts his clients first.", "reviewRating" : { "@type" : "Rating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5" } }, { "@type" : "Review", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Domenico Testa" }, "datePublished" : "2025-11-04", "reviewBody" : "Jim has been incredibly knowledgeable and patient. His experience owning a restaurant made the entire buying process seamless. He goes above and beyond.", "reviewRating" : { "@type" : "Rating", "bestRating" : "5", "ratingValue" : "5" } } ], "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tojimpate/", "https://www.facebook.com/JimPateRestaurantBroker" ], "telephone" : "+1-916-250-2012", "url" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.restaurantdealbrokers.com/about#faq", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Jim Pate is a Certified Business Broker (CBB) and California RE Broker (DRE #02067466) who has spent over 40 years in the restaurant industry — starting as a dishwasher at age 14, working up to executive chef, then spending years as a food service sales rep for Sysco and US Foods, and finally owning and operating his own full-service restaurant with his wife for 10 years. He sat at the closing table as a seller before he ever sat at one as a broker. That firsthand experience — including the confusion, the fear about employees, the valuation questions — is what separates him from brokers who have only ever worked deals, never lived one. He serves restaurant owners across Sacramento, the East Bay 680 Corridor, and the North Bay." }, "name" : "Who is Jim Pate and what makes him different from other restaurant brokers?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Jim Pate serves Northern California restaurant owners primarily across three regions: Greater Sacramento (including Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom, Davis, and surrounding areas), the East Bay 680 Corridor (Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Concord, Dublin, Danville, San Ramon, Livermore, Brentwood, and Antioch), and the North Bay (Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, Napa, and Sonoma). He has closed restaurant transactions across all three regions and maintains active buyer networks in each." }, "name" : "What areas does Jim Pate serve as a restaurant broker?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Jim uses a fully confidential process from day one. Buyers are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before they see any identifying details about your restaurant — financials, location, or staff. Your employees, regulars, suppliers, and landlord won't know your restaurant is for sale until you're ready to disclose. This protects your revenue, retains your team, and prevents speculation during the sale process. Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of Jim's job, and it's built into every step of how he works." }, "name" : "How does Jim Pate keep a restaurant sale confidential?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Jim Pate holds a Certified Business Broker (CBB) designation from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) — one of the highest professional credentials in business brokerage. He also holds a California Real Estate Broker license (DRE #02067466), and is an active member of both the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). In addition to his credentials, he brings 40+ years of real restaurant industry experience as a cook, chef, food service sales professional, and restaurant owner." }, "name" : "What credentials does Jim Pate hold as a restaurant broker?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. Jim Pate offers a free, confidential Broker's Opinion of Value (BOV) for restaurant owners considering a sale. This is a market-based estimate grounded in your actual financials, lease terms, location, and current buyer demand — not a guess. It's free, takes 24–48 hours, and comes with no obligation. Most restaurant owners who request one say it was the first honest conversation they'd had about what their business is actually worth. You can request yours at hire.restaurantdealbrokers.com or call Jim directly at (916) 250-2012." }, "name" : "Does Jim Pate offer a free restaurant valuation?" } ] } ```