Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 3.8% increase in net sales to $10.1 billion, driven by case volume growth of 0.9% and food cost inflation and mix impact of 2.9% [29] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 12% year-over-year, achieving a record of $548 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin expansion of 40 basis points to 5.4% [30][31] - Adjusted diluted EPS rose by 28% to $1.19 per share, significantly outpacing adjusted EBITDA growth [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Independent restaurant organic volume grew by 2.3%, healthcare by 4.9%, and hospitality by 2.4% [30] - The company gained market share for the seventeenth consecutive quarter with independent restaurants and the nineteenth consecutive quarter with healthcare [11][30] - Chain restaurant volume declined by 4%, primarily due to a strategic exit impacting total chain volume growth by approximately 300 basis points [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Independent case growth accelerated to approximately 3% in June and July, with expectations for continued growth in the back half of the year [12][30] - The company reported a 2.7% independent volume growth, aligning with its guidance of 2% to 5% for the year [12] - Restaurant foot traffic improved sequentially but remained down 1.1% from the prior year [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on its strategic pillars: culture, service, growth, and profit, aiming for continuous improvement in operational efficiency and customer service [15][19][25] - Investments in semi-automated facilities and the Pronto delivery service are expected to enhance operational efficiencies and drive growth [24][25] - The company is committed to a disciplined capital allocation strategy, balancing investments in growth with share repurchases [11][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to achieve long-term growth targets despite a soft but stable industry environment [38][86] - The company anticipates continued market share gains and expects to maintain a strong pipeline in healthcare and hospitality [88] - Management acknowledged the impact of macroeconomic factors on the industry but remains optimistic about future growth opportunities [86] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $250 million of shares in the second quarter, with a total of $273 million repurchased year-to-date [11][35] - The company aims to hire an additional 3,000 military veterans by 2030 as part of its Mission 2030 recruitment initiative [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in M&A Philosophy - Management stated there is no change in M&A philosophy, emphasizing the exploration of strategic opportunities to create value for stakeholders [45] Question: Independent Restaurant Traffic Dynamics - Management noted that independent restaurant traffic has improved but not to the extent desired, with case growth accelerating in recent months [46][48] Question: Confidence in Sales Guidance - Management expressed confidence in achieving sales guidance due to onboarding new concepts and improving independent case growth [52][53] Question: Inflation Trends - Management confirmed that inflation has moderated, particularly in categories like beef and eggs, aligning with industry expectations [54] Question: Sales Force Expansion - Management plans to maintain mid-single-digit growth in the sales force, emphasizing the quality of new hires and the importance of productivity [57][59] Question: Independent Case Growth Confidence - Management expressed confidence in independent case growth, supported by a strong pipeline and market share gains [92] Question: Chain Business Strategy - Management clarified that the strategy for the chain business remains focused on optimization rather than capital investment for growth [95] Question: Pronto Service Update - Management reported positive developments in the Pronto service, with increased case growth and market penetration [102] Question: Market Share Goals - Management remains committed to gaining market share with targeted customer types, expecting continued growth as macro conditions improve [104][105]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 3.8% increase in net sales to $10.1 billion, driven by a 0.9% case volume growth and a 2.9% impact from food cost inflation and mix [27][28] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 12% year-over-year, reaching a record $548 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin expanding by 40 basis points to 5.4% [29][30] - Adjusted diluted EPS rose by 28% to $1.19 per share, significantly outpacing adjusted EBITDA growth [30][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Independent restaurant organic volume grew by 2.3%, healthcare by 4.9%, and hospitality by 2.4% [28][29] - The company gained market share in independent restaurants for the seventeenth consecutive quarter and in healthcare for the nineteenth consecutive quarter [9][12] - Chain restaurant volume declined by 4%, primarily due to a strategic exit that negatively impacted total chain volume growth by approximately 300 basis points [13][29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Independent case growth accelerated to approximately 3% in June and July, with expectations for continued growth in the back half of the year [12][92] - The company reported a 2.7% independent volume growth, aligning with its guidance of 2% to 5% for the year [11] - Restaurant foot traffic improved sequentially but remained down 1.1% from the prior year [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on its strategic pillars, including culture, service, growth, and profit, to drive long-term value [14][24] - Investments in semi-automated facilities and the Pronto delivery service are expected to enhance operational efficiency and support growth initiatives [23][24] - The company is committed to maintaining a disciplined capital allocation strategy, balancing investments in growth with share repurchases [10][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver on its long-range plan, despite a soft but stable industry environment [86][87] - The company anticipates continued market share gains and expects to achieve a 5% sales CAGR and a 10% adjusted EBITDA CAGR through 2027 [42][87] - Management acknowledged the impact of macroeconomic factors on the industry but remains optimistic about future growth opportunities [85][86] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $250 million of shares in the second quarter, with a total of $273 million repurchased year-to-date [10][34] - The company has a strong cash flow, with operating cash flow increasing by $104 million to $725 million year-to-date [34] - The company is committed to hiring an additional 3,000 military veterans by 2030 as part of its Mission 2030 recruitment initiative [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in M&A Philosophy - Management stated there is no change in M&A philosophy, emphasizing the exploration of strategic opportunities to create value for stakeholders [44] Question: Independent Restaurant Traffic Dynamics - Management noted that independent restaurant traffic has improved but not to the extent desired, with case growth accelerating in recent months [46][48] Question: Confidence in Sales Guidance - Management expressed confidence in reaching the midpoint of sales guidance due to onboarding new concepts and improving independent case growth [52][53] Question: Inflation Trends - Management acknowledged tempered inflation in the quarter, particularly in beef and eggs, with overall inflation remaining within the industry’s preferred range [54][55] Question: Sales Force Expansion - Management confirmed plans to maintain mid-single-digit growth in the sales force, emphasizing the quality of new hires and ongoing focus on penetration improvement [57][60] Question: Pronto Service Update - Management reported positive developments in the Pronto service, with case growth and market penetration exceeding initial expectations [100][102] Question: Market Share Goals - Management remains focused on gaining market share with targeted customer types, expecting continued growth as macro conditions improve [104][105]