Core Insights - Chefs' Warehouse reported a 10.5% increase in net sales for Q4 2025, reaching $1.143 billion, driven by organic sales growth of approximately 9.7% and a 0.8% contribution from acquisitions [2][7] - The company anticipates net sales for 2026 to be between $4.35 billion and $4.45 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $276 million to $286 million [5][17] - Management highlighted strong demand in the upscale dining segment and continued market share gains, despite challenges from the elimination of non-core programs in Texas [4][3] Financial Performance - Gross profit increased by 10.2% to $276.6 million, while gross margin slightly decreased to 24.2% [11] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $80.3 million, up from $68.2 million in the prior year, reflecting efficiency gains [14][7] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 8.9% to $225.2 million, primarily due to increased compensation and benefits [12] Inflation and Pricing Metrics - Net inflation for the quarter was reported at 8.3%, with center-of-the-plate inflation at 16.1% and specialty inflation at 3.4% [8][10] - Excluding the impact of the Texas poultry program exit, center-of-the-plate inflation would have been approximately 9.5% [10][6] - Specialty inflation, adjusted for cross-sell effects, would have been around 0.8% [10] Capital Structure and Liquidity - As of the end of Q4 2025, total liquidity was $280.5 million, with net debt approximately $529.5 million, resulting in a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of about 2.1x [15][16] - The company completed a term loan repricing, reducing the fixed spread above SOFR from 3.0% to 2.5% [15] Strategic Priorities and Investments - Management's capital allocation strategy for 2026 includes maintaining liquidity for acquisitions, strengthening the balance sheet, and opportunistic share buybacks [19] - The company plans to invest in facilities and growth markets, particularly in Colorado and Texas, to enhance operational efficiency and market presence [20] - Chefs' Warehouse is also focusing on technology and advanced analytics to improve customer insights and operational efficiency [21]