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The Chefs Warehouse Inc (CHEF)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
09/17/2025: CHEF (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
1 Year Target Price $76.62
1 Year Target Price $76.62
6 | Strong Buy |
1 | Buy |
0 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 30.29% | Avg. Invested days 44 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 2.68B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 40.52 | 1Y Target Price 76.62 |
Price to earnings Ratio 40.52 | 1Y Target Price 76.62 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 7 | Beta 1.76 | 52 Weeks Range 38.36 - 68.94 | Updated Date 09/16/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 38.36 - 68.94 | Updated Date 09/16/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.62 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 1.76% | Operating Margin (TTM) 3.89% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.86% | Return on Equity (TTM) 13.64% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 40.52 | Forward PE 30.96 | Enterprise Value 3508836871 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.68 |
Enterprise Value 3508836871 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.68 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.9 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 16.7 | Shares Outstanding 40762700 | Shares Floating 36278766 |
Shares Outstanding 40762700 | Shares Floating 36278766 | ||
Percent Insiders 11.27 | Percent Institutions 97.58 |
Upturn AI SWOT
The Chefs Warehouse Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Christopher Pappas in New York City. It began as a specialty food distributor serving high-end restaurants and has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to become a leading distributor of specialty food products in North America.
Core Business Areas
- Specialty Food Products: The company sources and distributes specialty food products, including meats, seafood, pastry, dairy, and other gourmet items, catering to fine dining establishments and culinary professionals.
- Center-of-the-Plate: This segment includes high-quality meat and seafood products, a core component of many restaurant menus.
- Chef Supplies: The company also supplies a range of kitchen equipment, cookware, and other essential supplies for professional chefs.
Leadership and Structure
Christopher Pappas is the Chairman and CEO. The company has a structured leadership team with VPs and Directors overseeing various operational and financial areas.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Specialty Meats: High-quality beef, lamb, and pork sourced from around the world. Market share data is difficult to pinpoint precisely for this specific product category, but Chefs' Warehouse is a significant player in the high-end meat distribution market. Competitors: Allen Brothers, Niman Ranch.
- Imported Cheeses: A wide selection of imported and artisanal cheeses. Precise market share figures are unavailable, but this is a key component of the specialty food business. Competitors: Murray's Cheese, World Cheese Co.
- Seafood: Fresh and frozen seafood sourced globally. Precise market share data is unavailable but it is a significant portion of the revenue. Competitors: Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Santa Monica Seafood.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The specialty food distribution industry is characterized by a fragmented market with numerous regional and national players. It is influenced by trends in the restaurant industry and consumer demand for high-quality ingredients.
Positioning
The Chefs Warehouse positions itself as a premium supplier to high-end restaurants and other culinary professionals, differentiating itself through product quality, sourcing expertise, and customer service.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for specialty food distribution in North America is estimated to be several billions of dollars. The Chefs Warehouse is well positioned to capture an increasing portion of this TAM, especially focusing on fine dining and upscale establishments.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation
- Extensive product portfolio
- Established relationships with suppliers
- Broad distribution network
- Focus on high-end market
Weaknesses
- Reliance on the restaurant industry
- High operating costs
- Exposure to economic downturns
- Dependence on key personnel
- Vulnerability to supply chain disruptions
Opportunities
- Expansion into new markets
- Acquisition of smaller distributors
- Development of new products and services
- Growth in online sales
- Increasing demand for specialty foods
Threats
- Economic recession
- Increased competition
- Rising food costs
- Changing consumer preferences
- Supply chain disruptions
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- UNFI
- SYY
- USFD
Competitive Landscape
The Chefs Warehouse differentiates itself through its focus on specialty foods and high-end restaurants, which gives it an edge over larger, more generalist distributors. However, the larger companies benefit from economies of scale.
Major Acquisitions
Allen Brothers
- Year: 2013
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 35
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded their high end meet offering.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: The Chefs Warehouse has grown significantly through acquisitions and organic expansion in the past years.
Future Projections: Future growth is projected to come from continued expansion into new markets, acquisitions, and organic growth in existing markets.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include strategic acquisitions, expansion of distribution network, and investment in technology.
Summary
The Chefs Warehouse is a specialized distributor catering to high-end restaurants, offering a diverse range of products. Its growth has been fueled by acquisitions and organic expansion, but reliance on the restaurant industry and economic conditions pose risks. Strategic initiatives and market expansion are key to future growth. The company's focus on quality and customer service is a significant strength but increasing competition is something they need to watch out for.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- SEC Filings
- Company Website
- Industry Reports
- Analyst Estimates
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions can change rapidly. Actual market share may vary.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
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 | Website https://www.chefswarehouse.com |
Full time employees 5029 | Website https://www.chefswarehouse.com |
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.

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