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Upturn AI Summary - About
The Chefs Warehouse Inc(CHEF)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CHEF
10/19/2026: CHEF (4-star) is a REGULAR-BUY. BUY for 122 days. Simulated Profits (66.46%). Updated daily EoD!
The Chefs Warehouse Inc is a specialized distributor of high-end culinary ingredients, serving the needs of fine-dining restaurants and gourmet outlets. The company has a leading position in the specialty segment, driven by a consistent strategy of acquiring regional players to scale its national footprint. Its main investment appeal lies in its niche expertise and strong relationships with professional chefs, though it faces risks related to economic cycles and operational leverage. While the stock offers a growth story for those interested in the premium food sector, it is not suitable for dividend-focused investors. Monitoring the company’s ability to manage debt while effectively integrating new acquisitions remains essential.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The company’s history of scaling through acquisitions and expanding market reach provides a clear growth narrative. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum fit is conditional on a positive Upturn signal as the stock often moves with the broader hospitality recovery. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Valuation is often premium-weighted due to the company's unique position in the specialty niche. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | The company does not pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | The company's reliance on discretionary consumer spending makes the stock more volatile. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium / high | The stock is susceptible to fluctuations in the broader restaurant industry's health. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Market expectations for growth can lead to valuation premiums during economic shifts. |
| Competition risk (Broadline distributors) | Medium / high | Large scale competitors like Sysco can pressure margins by offering specialty items. |
| Business quality | Medium | The company provides a reliable, value-added service to premium chefs. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | The lack of dividend payout limits appeal for income-oriented investors. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful integration of regional acquisitions is key to maintaining long-term profitability. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Moderately Choppy
The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 70.38% | Avg. Invested days 45 | Today’s Advisory Regular Buy |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  4.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/19/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 4.63B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 54.08 | 1Y Target Price 124 |
Price to earnings Ratio 54.08 | 1Y Target Price 124 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 620.0K shares | Beta 1.44 | 52 Weeks Range 56.46 - 118.51 | Updated Date 10/18/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 56.46 - 118.51 | Updated Date 10/18/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.1 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty Food Distribution | Curated artisanal ingredients, proteins, and pantry staples. | The company profits by acting as the primary link between gourmet producers and high-end restaurants. |
| Geographic Operations | Operations spanning across North America, with concentrations in major metropolitan hubs. | Revenue is tied to urban fine-dining demand, making major city performance a key metric. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 54.08 | Forward PE 25.58 | Enterprise Value 5.25B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.05 |
Enterprise Value 5.25B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.05 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.2 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 20.53 | Shares Outstanding 40.80M | Shares Floating 36.95M |
Shares Outstanding 40.80M | Shares Floating 36.95M | ||
Percent Insiders 10.13 | Percent Institutions 100.53 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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