Today we’d like to introduce you to Deron Coleman.
Deron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My professional journey began in uniform. I spent eleven years in law enforcement, starting in 2013 in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I worked briefly for Milwaukee County before joining the Milwaukee Police Department, and in 2019, I made a major move to Texas to continue my career with the Dallas Police Department.
Being a police officer was exciting and rewarding. It’s a career built on discipline, instinct, and staying calm when everything around you is chaotic. Those years taught me how to read people, communicate clearly, and build trust quickly—skills that would later become invaluable in a completely different arena.
As much as I enjoyed helping people, I eventually felt like something else was out there for me. I’ve always had an interest in business, especially commercial real estate, and I knew several fellow officers who had successfully transitioned into real estate. Trusting my instincts, I earned my Texas real estate license at the beginning of 2024 while still working for the Dallas Police Department.
Once I got my license, I quickly learned that breaking into commercial real estate wasn’t going to be easy. Brokerages wanted experience and full-time availability—two things I didn’t have yet. So I joined a Keller Williams office with a strong residential and commercial presence. While I focused on residential transactions, I learned as much as I could from the commercial agents within my office.
In August 2024, my life changed for the better—I became a dad. My fiancée and I agreed early on that we wanted to spend as much time with our daughter as possible during these early years. That pushed me to fully commit to real estate, which gave me the schedule flexibility I needed to be present with my family.
But full-time real estate came with its own challenges. In December 2024, I had three real estate deals fall through back-to-back. It was a discouraging month, and I started questioning whether I had made the right choice. During that time, I wondered if I belonged in real estate at all.
And that’s why the timing with EATS Broker couldn’t have been more perfect.
One of my residential clients was my fraternity brother, Dominique Maddox, founder and CEO of EATS Broker and one of the top restaurant brokers in the nation. He knew my interest in commercial real estate, and after working with me, he saw potential. Over the next few months, we had several conversations about restaurant brokerage and commercial real estate. His story paralleled my own, and he offered to mentor me.
To be honest, at that moment—coming off three failed deals and doubting myself—it felt like exactly the opportunity I needed… like the business was choosing me.
Dominique always says, “Restaurant brokerage chose me,” and now I truly say the same. In March 2025, I joined EATS Broker, focusing exclusively on restaurant, bar, and nightclub resales and real estate transactions.
What I’ve learned is that restaurant owners are often underserved, especially when they’re looking to sell. Restaurants are complex, emotional, and demanding businesses. Every one of them has a story, and I take pride in learning it. Whether they’re dealing with cash-flow issues, health challenges, family pressures, or simple burnout, owners come to me looking for guidance. In a way, it feels similar to law enforcement—people reach out because they need help navigating a tough moment.
As I approach the end of my first year in this business, I still consider myself a student of the industry. But the skills I developed in my previous career—attention to detail, communication, storytelling, and interviewing—have translated seamlessly. My past prepared me for this work more than I ever expected. My journey has taken turns I never anticipated, but every step led me to where I’m meant to be today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In law enforcement, I had stability. Even through the COVID-19 pandemic and a major injury that kept me sidelined for nine months, I always had a steady paycheck. Shifting into a commission-based career meant stepping into a world where my income can be affected by dozens of factors completely outside of my control. That alone was a major adjustment.
Balancing a new career with family life has also been challenging. I want to be present at home, especially with a young daughter, but I also have to be out meeting people, building relationships, and growing my pipeline. When a restaurant owner reaches out, I try to meet them right away. Finding that balance between ambition and fatherhood is something I work on every day. I thank my fiance Cara for being my biggest supporter along the way.
December 2024 was one of the toughest moments in my journey. I had three real estate deals fall apart back-to-back after months of work. I was discouraged. It tested my confidence, my resilience, and my belief in myself. For a moment, I even questioned whether I’d made the right decision leaving the stability of law enforcement.
And of course, being the ‘new guy’ in the industry is never easy. Restaurant owners often prefer to work with someone with years of experience. Coming in as a newer broker means I have to work twice as hard to prove myself, demonstrate my value, and show clients that I’m fully committed to them.
Those challenges have pushed me, but they’ve also shaped me. They’re a big part of why I take so much pride in the work I do today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a restaurant broker with EATS Broker, a business brokerage that focuses exclusively on the food and beverage industry. I specialize in the resale of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and that specialization is what truly sets me apart from traditional business brokers.
At EATS Broker, we add personality and flair to business brokerage. The restaurant industry is its own world— emotional, operationally complex, and very different from selling other small businesses. As a specialist, I understand the nuances of restaurant operations, the resale market, valuation challenges, lease structures, commercial kitchen equipment, and everything that goes into preparing an owner for a successful exit. It allows me to provide guidance that generalists simply can’t match.
At EATS Broker, my services include:
Restaurant resale – handling confidential listings and guiding owners through a successful exit.
Complimentary business valuations – providing realistic market valuations based on financials, assets, and industry trends.
Franchise restaurant resale – assisting franchise operators with transfers, exits, or ownership transitions.
Buyer consulting – guiding buyers through due diligence, valuations, lease assignments, and the overall acquisition process.
Restaurant and bar site locating – helping operators secure the right location for growth or expansion.
Whether someone is exiting, relocating, expanding, or buying into the industry, my goal is to guide them through the process with honesty, industry knowledge, and clear expectations.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My view on risk taking… risks stand before the best rewards. I truly believe that “there is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.” In life we have to get uncomfortable and bet on ourselves to see how much we are truly capable of.
I took a risk when I walked away from a seemingly secure career. I wanted to challenge myself in a new way, to build something of my own, and to step into the world of commercial real estate and restaurant brokerage.
That risk wasn’t easy. In fact, when I was practicing residential real estate, I had three deals fall through in one month. That was a tough moment. I was beginning to doubt myself and question whether the risk was worth it. But looking back now, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. That setback opened the door for me to join EATS Broker.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.EATSbroker.com
- Instagram: @dfw_restaurant_broker/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deron-coleman-b77aa960/
- Youtube: @DFW_Restaurant_Broker
