In 1915, when the first Jordano Brother’s Market opened on State Street in Santa Barbara, a rich tradition of integrity, quality, and service was born. By the 1960’s, there were 18 Jordano’s Supermarkets up and down the Central California Coast. In 1975, with CEO Pete Jordano (son to one of the four founding Jordano brothers) at the helm, Jordano’s sold its supermarkets to focus on a wholesale food and beverage operation. It was a difficult decision, but a smart move. Jordano’s Foodservice has grown to become the premier distributor of food, beverages, and culinary equipment in Central and Southern California. Numerous Santa Barbara restaurants depend on Jordano’s and its sister business, Pacific Beverage. To keep up with the growth, Jordano’s opened a huge new warehouse in Goleta in 2023.
Every few years Jordano’s puts on an invitation-only food and equipment show at Earl Warren Showgrounds that is packed with vendors displaying their offerings and businesses looking to see first-hand how Jordano’s can help them. This week, during Jordano’s 110th year as a family-owned business, thousands of people from across California descended upon Santa Barbara for the event. The Restaurant Guy spent many hours over two days meeting with vendors (and enjoying tasty samples), restaurant owners, and managers. It was a foodie’s dream. And a restaurant columnists dream as I heard stories galore. One of the vendors I met with, Producer’s Dairy, in business since 1932, supplies 10,000 ice creams to youngsters who participate in the annual Old Spanish Days Children’s Parade.
I had the pleasure of talking with my longtime family friend and CEO Peter Jordano, who turned 90 last month, as well as his son Jeff Jordano who is President of Jordano’s and Pacific Beverage Company. I also met with Jordano’s Vice President/General Manager Patrick Day who explained to me what sets his company apart from other distributors in this state. “It’s the partnership that we have with our customers,” says Day. “Our customers are coming in from Los Angeles, from Bakersfield, from San Luis Obispo. The partnerships we have with the brokers and manufacturers are putting our customers together with those brokers and manufacturers to get deals in this economy. They are looking for deals and specials that can help because the economy is hard on our customers right now. They are looking for ways to save money, make money, and be a little bit more profitable today. What sets us apart is that we are the only distributor that has that anymore. Some of the big distributors that are our competition don’t do that anymore. We still believe in that, after 110 years.”
Take a video walk-thru of the Jordano’s Food & Equipment Show 2025
