CHEF official logo CHEF
CHEF 1-star rating from Upturn Advisory
The Chefs Warehouse Inc (CHEF) company logo

The Chefs Warehouse Inc (CHEF)

The Chefs Warehouse Inc (CHEF) 1-star rating from Upturn Advisory
$60.39
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Upturn Advisory Summary

12/04/2025: CHEF (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Upturn Star Rating

Upturn 1 star rating for performance

Not Recommended Performance

These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.

Number of Analysts

2 star rating from financial analysts

7 Analysts rated it

Limited analyst coverage, niche firm, research info may be scarce.

1 Year Target Price $76.38

1 Year Target Price $76.38

Analysts Price Target For last 52 week
$76.38 Target price
52w Low $45
Current$60.39
52w High $68.94

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 3.66%
Avg. Invested days 41
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Star Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 12/04/2025

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 2.46B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 34.86
1Y Target Price 76.38
Price to earnings Ratio 34.86
1Y Target Price 76.38
Volume (30-day avg) 7
Beta 1.3
52 Weeks Range 45.00 - 68.94
Updated Date 12/3/2025
52 Weeks Range 45.00 - 68.94
Updated Date 12/3/2025
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.73

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date -
When -
Estimate -
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 1.85%
Operating Margin (TTM) 3.81%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 5.01%
Return on Equity (TTM) 14.12%

Valuation

Trailing PE 34.86
Forward PE 27.47
Enterprise Value 3330597795
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.61
Enterprise Value 3330597795
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.61
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.82
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 14.94
Shares Outstanding 40685549
Shares Floating 36271981
Shares Outstanding 40685549
Shares Floating 36271981
Percent Insiders 11.24
Percent Institutions 97.12

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI SWOT

The Chefs Warehouse Inc

The Chefs Warehouse Inc(CHEF) company logo displayed in Upturn AI summary

Company Overview

Company history and background logo History and Background

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF) was founded in 1985. It has grown from a specialty food distributor serving the New York City area to a major supplier of ingredients to high-end restaurants and culinary institutions throughout North America. They have achieved growth through acquisitions and organic expansion, and distribution center expansions to meet customer demands.

Company business area logo Core Business Areas

  • Specialty Food Products: Provides a wide range of specialty and gourmet food products, including meats, seafood, dairy, and bakery items.
  • Chef-Centric Products: Focuses on supplying essential ingredients and kitchen supplies to high-end restaurants and culinary institutions.
  • Imports and Distribution: Source and distributes unique, imported specialty foods to the US market.

leadership logo Leadership and Structure

The company is led by Christopher Pappas, Chairman and CEO. The organizational structure is hierarchical, with regional and functional departments reporting to senior management.

Top Products and Market Share

Product Key Offerings logo Key Offerings

  • Specialty Foods: High-end ingredients, including prime meats, artisanal cheeses, seafood, and pastry components. Market share for this category is difficult to pinpoint, but key competitors are specialty food distributors like Baldor Food, Sysco (SYY), and US Foods Holding Corp (USFD). Revenue from this offering constitutes the majority of CHEF's sales.
  • Pastry and Bakery Products: Premium chocolates, ingredients, and equipment for pastry chefs. Market Share is fragmented. Competitors include Callebaut, Valrhona, and other specialty distributors.
  • Disposables: A variety of disposable restaurant supplies.

Market Dynamics

industry overview logo Industry Overview

The specialty food distribution industry is competitive and fragmented, with many regional and national players. Trends include a growing demand for high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and increased focus on efficiency and supply chain management.

Positioning

The Chefs' Warehouse is positioned as a premium distributor focused on high-end restaurants and culinary institutions. Its competitive advantages include a broad product selection, strong customer relationships, and a reputation for quality.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The TAM for specialty food distribution in North America is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars annually. CHEF is positioned to capture a significant share of this market by focusing on the high-end segment.

Upturn SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Strong brand reputation
  • Extensive product selection
  • Strong customer relationships
  • National distribution network
  • Experienced management team

Weaknesses

  • Dependence on high-end restaurant industry
  • Vulnerability to economic downturns
  • High operating costs
  • Acquisition integration risks

Opportunities

  • Expanding into new geographic markets
  • Acquiring complementary businesses
  • Developing new products and services
  • Capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable ingredients
  • Offering value added services

Threats

  • Increased competition
  • Economic recession
  • Changes in consumer preferences
  • Supply chain disruptions
  • Increased food costs

Competitors and Market Share

Key competitor logo Key Competitors

  • SYY
  • USFD
  • ARCO

Competitive Landscape

CHEF differentiates itself through specialty products and a high-end restaurant focus. Competitors like Sysco and US Foods have broader market reach.

Major Acquisitions

Allen Brothers

  • Year: 2013
  • Acquisition Price (USD millions): 52.5
  • Strategic Rationale: Expanded product offering with premium meats, enhancing CHEF's reputation and market position in high-end food distribution.

Patric Foods

  • Year: 2017
  • Acquisition Price (USD millions): 63
  • Strategic Rationale: Expanded CHEF's offering and allowed access to a larger customer base.

Growth Trajectory and Initiatives

Historical Growth: The Chefs' Warehouse has experienced significant growth through acquisitions and organic expansion. Historical growth is dependent on revenue increases YoY.

Future Projections: Future growth projections will depend on factors such as economic conditions, industry trends, and the company's ability to execute its growth strategy.

Recent Initiatives: Recent strategic initiatives include acquisitions, expansion into new geographic markets, and the development of new products and services.

Summary

The Chefs' Warehouse is a strong player in the specialty food distribution market, catering to high-end restaurants. Its strengths lie in its product selection and customer relationships. The company needs to be mindful of economic downturns and competition. Strategic acquisitions and expansion efforts are aiding growth.

Similar Stocks

Sources and Disclaimers

Data Sources:

  • Company filings
  • Industry reports
  • Analyst estimates
  • Various Financial News Articles

Disclaimers:

This analysis is based on available information and is not financial advice. Market conditions and company performance can change, so consult with a financial professional before making investment decisions.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization accuracy disclaimer AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization data freshness disclaimer Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Information icon warning about Upturn AI Fundamental Rating based on potentially old data Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

Information icon warning about potential inaccuracies or hallucinations in Upturn AI-generated summaries AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.

About The Chefs Warehouse Inc

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquaters Ridgefield, CT, United States
IPO Launch date 2011-07-28
Founder, Chairman, CEO & President Mr. Christopher Pappas
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Food Distribution
Full time employees 5029
Full time employees 5029

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East, and Canada. It offers includes specialty food products, such as artisan charcuterie, specialty cheeses, unique oils and vinegars, truffles, caviar, chocolate, and pastry products; and center-of-the-plate products consisting of custom cut beef, seafood, and hormone-free poultry, as well as broadline food products comprising cooking oils, butter, eggs, milk, and flour. The company serves menu-driven independent restaurants, fine dining establishments, country clubs, hotels, caterers, culinary schools, bakeries, patisseries, chocolatiers, cruise lines, casinos, and specialty food stores. It markets its center-of-the-plate products directly to consumers through a mail and e-commerce platform. The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Ridgefield, Connecticut.