Company Overview - The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHEF) is a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States, serving chefs and culinary professionals across the hospitality industry, culinary schools, and specialty food retailers [3] Recent Developments - On January 29, Benchmark raised its price target on The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. to $84 from $79 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing strong underlying momentum in the business as a key driver [1] - The company announced the acquisition of Italco Food Products during its third-quarter 2025 earnings call, enhancing its presence in the Denver market [2] - The Chefs' Warehouse's Middle East operations reported double-digit growth, supported by facility expansions in Dubai, Qatar, and Oman, which extend its global distribution footprint [2]

RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHEF) today announced that the Company intends to release its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 26, 2025 before the opening of the stock market on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 and host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 to review those results. The conference call will be webcast live from the Company’s investor relations website at http://investors.ch ...

Group 1 - Chefs' Warehouse (NASDAQ:CHEF) is recognized as a promising mid-cap consumer staples stock priced under $100, with a consensus 1-year median price target of $76.71, indicating an upside potential of nearly 26% from the current level [1] - The stock has received coverage from 7 analysts, with 6 analysts giving Buy ratings and 1 analyst issuing a Hold call, reflecting a highly bullish sentiment towards the company [1] - Todd Brookes from Benchmark Co reiterated a Buy rating for Chefs' Warehouse with a price target estimate of $75, suggesting an upside potential of around 23%, based on positive discussions with company management [2] Group 2 - Chefs' Warehouse operates as a specialty food distributor and restaurant supplier across the United States, Canada, and the Middle East, covering various product categories such as Dairy & Eggs, Meat & Poultry, Seafood, Oil & Vinegar, Pantry, Frozen Grocery, and Beverages [3] - The company manages its supply chain operations through 53 distribution centers and an extensive logistics network, which supports its business model [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong outlook for the fourth quarter, indicating a healthy customer base that continues to spend [4] - Aggregate inflation for the first three quarters of 2025 was in the 3% range, which is favorable for food distributors [8] - The company aims to achieve a 6.5%-7% Adjusted EBITDA margin by fiscal 2028, with various initiatives planned to reach this goal [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has diversified its offerings significantly over the past decade, moving from high-end products to include upscale casual and various food service sectors [4] - The protein division is currently strong, and the company anticipates that its presence in fresh produce will triple or quadruple as other categories grow [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The food away from home market is valued at $400 billion, and the company is targeting a 10% market share, which would equate to approximately $50 billion [16] - The company has seen significant growth in regions like Texas and Florida, with Texas being described as a startup opportunity for the company [32][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on being a primary supplier to independent restaurants and cafes, while also expanding into other categories and territories [21][22] - The management emphasizes the importance of being a solution provider and consultant to customers, particularly in addressing labor challenges [24] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautiously optimistic about consumer spending, noting that celebratory spending is still strong despite economic uncertainties [6] - The company is not expecting any material changes in inflation or tariffs that would significantly impact operations [8][10] Other Important Information - The company has paused its M&A activities to focus on integrating recent acquisitions and improving operational efficiencies [31] - The management believes that the future of distribution will require a more consultative approach to meet customer needs [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company adapting to potential economic tailwinds? - Management does not model potential tailwinds but acknowledges that increased disposable income for consumers could benefit the business [6] Question: What is the outlook on inflation and pricing? - Management noted that they can manage through inflation effectively due to their diverse SKU offerings and that they prefer a stable inflation range of 1%-3% [11] Question: How does the company view competition in the food distribution market? - Management believes that while competition is strong, their unique approach and long-standing relationships with chefs and restaurants set them apart [14] Question: What is the company's strategy regarding M&A? - Management indicated a pause in M&A to focus on internal growth and integration of existing acquisitions, while remaining opportunistic for future deals [31][32]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong outlook for the fourth quarter, indicating a healthy customer base that continues to spend [4] - Aggregate inflation for the first three quarters of 2025 was around 3%, which is favorable for food distributors [8] - The company aims to achieve an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.5%-7% by fiscal 2028 [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has diversified its offerings significantly over the past decade, moving from high-end products to include upscale casual and various food service sectors [4] - The protein division is currently strong, and the company anticipates that its presence in fresh produce will triple or quadruple as other categories grow [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The food away from home market is valued at $400 billion, and the company is targeting a 10% market share [16] - The company has seen significant growth in regions like Texas and Florida, with Texas being described as a startup due to its rapid expansion [32][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on being a core supplier to independent restaurants and cafes, rather than pursuing large national chains [23] - The strategy includes enhancing the sales force to act more as consultants, providing tailored solutions to customers facing labor challenges [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautiously optimistic about consumer spending, noting that celebratory spending is still strong despite economic uncertainties [6] - The company is not expecting significant changes in inflation rates and is prepared to manage price volatility effectively [8][10] Other Important Information - The company has paused M&A activities to focus on integrating recent acquisitions and improving operational efficiencies [31] - The management emphasizes the importance of maintaining a diversified supply chain to mitigate risks associated with tariffs and inflation [10][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the state of the consumer affecting your business? - Management noted that their customer base remains healthy, with continued spending on dining out and events [4] Question: How do you expect tax reforms to impact your business? - Management does not model tax reforms into their forecasts but acknowledges that increased disposable income for consumers could be beneficial [6] Question: What is your outlook on inflation and pricing? - Management indicated that they can manage through price volatility effectively and prefer a stable inflation range of 1%-3% [11] Question: How do you view competition in the food distribution market? - Management believes that their unique approach and long-standing relationships with chefs set them apart from competitors [14] Question: What is your strategy regarding M&A? - Management stated that they are currently focused on organic growth and integrating past acquisitions, remaining opportunistic for future M&A [31][33]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong outlook for the fourth quarter, indicating a healthy customer base that continues to spend [4] - Aggregate inflation for the first three quarters of 2025 was around 3%, which is favorable for food distributors [9] - The company aims to achieve an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.5%-7% by fiscal 2028 [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has diversified its offerings significantly over the past decade, serving various sectors including upscale casual dining, cruise ships, hotels, and caterers [4] - The protein division is currently strong, and the company anticipates that its presence in fresh produce will triple or quadruple as other categories grow [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The food away from home market is valued at $400 billion, and the company is targeting a 10% market share [16][18] - The company has seen significant growth in regions like Texas and Florida, with Texas being compared to a startup due to its rapid expansion [32][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on being a primary supplier to independent restaurants and cafes, while also expanding its presence in various categories [22] - The strategy includes a pause on M&A to integrate recent acquisitions and improve operational efficiencies [31] - The company aims to leverage technology and automation in distribution centers to enhance efficiency and customer experience [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautiously optimistic about consumer spending, noting that celebratory spending is still strong despite economic uncertainties [6] - The company is well-prepared to manage inflationary pressures and has a diversified product range to mitigate risks [8][12] - Management believes that the future of distribution will involve more consulting roles to help customers navigate challenges, particularly in labor [25] Other Important Information - The company has a strong commitment to training its sales force to adapt to changing market dynamics and improve customer service [26] - The company has built a robust supply chain with many small producers, allowing for exclusive partnerships and brand development [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company adapting to potential economic tailwinds? - Management does not model potential tailwinds but acknowledges that increased disposable income could benefit the business [6] Question: What is the outlook on inflation and pricing? - The company has seen volatility in certain categories but can manage through it effectively, aiming for a normalized inflation range of 1%-4% [12] Question: How does the company view competition and market positioning? - The company operates in a competitive market but differentiates itself through its focus on quality and relationships with creative chefs [15][16] Question: What is the company's approach to M&A? - Management is currently opportunistic regarding M&A but is focused on organic growth and integrating existing acquisitions [31][33]

Core Insights - The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. has provided a preliminary outlook for fiscal year 2026 following a strong fourth quarter of 2025, indicating positive business trends [2][7] Financial Guidance - The company forecasts net sales to be in the range of $4.35 billion to $4.45 billion for fiscal year 2026 [7] - Gross profit is expected to be between $1.053 billion and $1.076 billion [7] - Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is projected to be between $276 million and $286 million [7] - The diluted share count is anticipated to be between 46.0 million and 46.7 million shares, including approximately 6.5 million shares from convertible notes due in 2028 [2] Non-GAAP Financial Measures - The company presents forecasted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as additional metrics to evaluate its performance, which are not determined in accordance with GAAP [4] - These measures are intended to provide a more complete understanding of the company's operating performance [4][5] Upcoming Events - The company will participate in a fireside chat at the ICR Conference on January 13, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. ET, which will be available via webcast [3]

Core Viewpoint - The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. will participate in a fireside chat at the ICR Conference on January 13, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. ET, highlighting its role as a premier distributor of specialty food products [1]. Company Overview - The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. is a leading distributor of specialty food products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada, catering to chefs and operators of independent restaurants, fine dining establishments, and various culinary businesses [3]. - The company distributes over 88,000 products to more than 50,000 customer locations across its operational regions [3]. Investor Engagement - Investors and interested parties can access a webcast of the fireside chat through the company's investor relations website [2]. Contact Information - For further inquiries, the company's CFO, Jim Leddy, can be contacted at (718) 684-8415 [4].

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Core Insights - The Chef's Warehouse is a prominent food distributor catering to high-end clients, including luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, focusing on the top 10% of earners globally [1][2] Financial Performance - The Chef's Warehouse has consistently exceeded earnings expectations for eight consecutive quarters, with Q3 2025 revenue reaching $1.02 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase from Q3 2024 and surpassing the consensus estimate of $986 million [4] - The company's stock has appreciated by 113% over the past two years, closing 2025 with three consecutive months of gains and a 25% increase for the year [5] - Analysts project a 7.2% increase in total sales for 2026, indicating a positive growth trajectory for the company [5][7] Market Position - The luxury food distribution market remains resilient, with high-income earners unlikely to reduce spending on fine dining, suggesting a stable demand for The Chef's Warehouse's products [2]