We Sell Restaurants continues to fuel growth in the restaurant brokerage industry by attracting exceptional talent with business expertise, deep restaurant knowledge, and passion for its niche business model. At the same time, the brand is also growing through expansion of existing franchisees. CEO, Robin Gagnon says, “We’re thrilled to announce a new franchise partner to our system, Ron Pereira in Columbia, South Carolina, and celebrate the growth of Brittney Gates into the South Jacksonville Florida market.”  

Ron Pereira – Columbia, South Carolina

Originally attracted to the brand as he was studying the restaurant for sale opportunities in his local market, Ron Pereira has a 25-year career in the restaurant industry. This combined with experience in marketing, distribution, real estate, and restaurant ownership, make Ron an ideal candidate for the We Sell Restaurants brand.

Ron’s story began with the launch of three successful South Carolina restaurants, during one of the most challenging periods in the industry, the early days of the pandemic in January 2020. No one could have predicted that only 60 days later, the industry would be reeling. As a new restaurant owner, Ron demonstrated both resilience and strategic vision. His restaurant group is now projected to generate over $6 million annually. Not satisfied with his success in the restaurant industry, Ron sought a real estate license in 2023 and became aware of We Sell Restaurants.

“Real estate has always fascinated me,” Ron shared. “After working with We Sell Restaurants to list my businesses, I saw the potential in their restaurant brokerage model. It was the perfect next step.”

After researching options to sell his restaurants, Ron chose We Sell Restaurants in early 2024, impressed by our marketing strength and deep restaurant brokerage expertise. With his restaurants now managed by his Vice President of Operations, Ron is fully focused on building his restaurant brokerage franchise in Columbia.

Ron’s experience does not only include restaurant ownership, launch, and operations however, he also spent a decade as Executive Director at Sysco Foods. This honed his skills in contracts and real estate, complementing his restaurant ownership experience. Outside of restaurant brokerage, Ron enjoys camping, fishing, and beach trips with his two sons, currently upgrading their camper for Southeast adventures.

Eric Gagnon, President of We Sell Restaurants says, “Ron’s operational expertise, strategic insight, and restaurant brokerage acumen will elevate Columbia’s restaurant market. He’s poised to guide owners through seamless transitions, strengthening our brand’s presence.”

Ron embodies the ideal restaurant brokerage franchisee. As an industry veteran, he understands the lived experience and pain points of operators who are looking to move out of the industry. He has also lived through the excitement and opportunity of starting his own restaurant business. His firsthand experience allows him to guide clients with authenticity and expertise in restaurant brokerage.

His strengths include:

• Sales Expertise: He already excels at building local relationships with years as a Sysco executive. This delivers value in restaurant brokerage.
• Marketing Acumen: His success in local marketing campaigns for his own stores enhances our restaurant brokerage strategies for attracting buyers and sellers.
• Leadership & Training: Years of training teams means he can manage complex restaurant brokerage transactions with precision and client-focused solutions.
• Operational Rigor: Multi-unit management and financial analysis skills make his especially confident in evaluating restaurant brokerage opportunities.
• Community Trust: Strong local ties to Columbia will create instant credibility, a cornerstone of successful restaurant brokerage relationships.

Overall, Ron will bring a ground game to Columbia South Carolina leading to growth for the brand and impressive results for the local restaurant market.

Brittney Gates – Expanding into South Jacksonville, Florida

Brittney Gates, an established We Sell Restaurants franchise partner, has expanded her restaurant brokerage footprint into multi-unit ownership by taking on South Jacksonville, Florida. Robin Gagnon, CEO of We Sell Restaurants says, “Brittney’s proven track record and dedication to the We Sell Restaurants brand and practice of restaurant brokerage make her a natural fit for this significant growth milestone.”

Brittney’s path into restaurant brokerage is a standout example of franchise growth from within. Her modern-day franchise success store started in 2017, when she began her career with the brand as an hourly call center associate, answering buyer inquiries and delivering top-tier service from day one. Her exceptional communication skills and professionalism quickly set her apart, leading to a promotion to broker’s assistant. In that role, she supported live transactions, contributed to deal flow, and gained firsthand experience in the mechanics of restaurant brokerage. From there, she earned her designation as a Certified Restaurant Broker®, mastering the process from listing to closing. In May 2023, Brittney took the next step in her journey, launching her own franchise with a single territory. Her story reflects the power of dedication, development, and a clear path for growth within the We Sell Restaurants system.

Gagnon continues, “Brittney’s achievements have been nothing short of exceptional. As a first-year franchisee, she outperformed on every metric and just kept going. She exemplifies the path to franchise ownership, and we are thrilled to see her expand to a second territory. She defines success in the franchise model as her entire family now assist in the practice as she creates multi-generational wealth.”

Brittney’s deep understanding of the restaurant industry and her results with buyers and sellers in the Flagler and Volusia County area will now expand into the heart of St. Augustine as the trusted name in restaurant brokerage. This expansion to South Jacksonville reflects both an entrepreneurial drive and commitment to serving one of Florida’s fastest-growing markets. Brittney is well-positioned to support restaurant owners in South Jacksonville as they navigate sales and transitions.

“Brittney’s move into multi-unit ownership is a testament to the strength of our restaurant brokerage model,” says Eric Gagnon, of We Sell Restaurants spokesperson. “Her expertise and passion will elevate the South Jacksonville market, delivering exceptional value to clients.”

Brittney’s expansion strengthens our restaurant brokerage presence in Florida, a key region for the industry, and underscores the scalability of our franchise system for dedicated partners.

The Future of Restaurant Brokerage with Ron and Brittney

Ron joins a restaurant brokerage brand built on core values that include integrity, expertise, and results and a mission to Sell More Restaurants Than Anyone Else. The addition of his local presence for the Columbia market comes as the brand seeks to strengthen the network, attracting a high caliber of individuals to become franchise partners contributing to our success. His story, from restaurant owner to restaurant broker will resonate with the market and allow him to leverage decades of restaurant experience to thrive in restaurant brokerage.

For restaurant owners in Columbia, SC, considering a sale, Ron offers unmatched insight. He has lived the restaurant life and is ready to guide you through your next chapter with our proven restaurant brokerage system.

Brittney represents the next generation of leadership in restaurant brokerage, one grounded in industry experience, aligned with our core values, and driven by results. Her inspiring story speaks of the opportunity offered by the brand that led her to the new St. Augustine, Florida territory.

Her path from answering phones in our call center to franchise ownership is a modern-day success story. Through every role, from broker’s assistant to Certified Restaurant Broker®, Brittney has demonstrated consistent growth, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. Now leading her second territory, she brings energy, expertise, and a strong connection to the local restaurant community.

Together, Ron and Brittney represent the future of the We Sell Restaurants network. For restaurant owners in Columbia or St. Augustine considering a sale, they offer unmatched insight