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The Chefs Warehouse Inc (CHEF)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/01/2025: CHEF (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 6.66% | Avg. Invested days 43 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 2.26B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 41.8 | 1Y Target Price 69.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio 41.8 | 1Y Target Price 69.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 539016 | Beta 2.28 | 52 Weeks Range 31.96 - 66.51 | Updated Date 04/1/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 31.96 - 66.51 | Updated Date 04/1/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 1.32 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 1.46% | Operating Margin (TTM) 4.45% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 4.46% | Return on Equity (TTM) 11.18% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 41.8 | Forward PE 30.12 | Enterprise Value 3022755584 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.59 |
Enterprise Value 3022755584 | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.59 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.79 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.5 | Shares Outstanding 40988500 | Shares Floating 33532731 |
Shares Outstanding 40988500 | Shares Floating 33532731 | ||
Percent Insiders 11.23 | Percent Institutions 94.69 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 4.75 | Target Price 55.38 | Buy 2 | Strong Buy 6 |
Buy 2 | Strong Buy 6 | ||
Hold - | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
The Chefs Warehouse Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. was founded in 1985 by Chris Pappas. It began as a small purveyor of specialty food products in the New York City area and has grown to become a leading distributor of specialty food products to high-end restaurants and chefs across North America.
Core Business Areas
- Specialty Food Distribution: The company distributes a wide range of specialty and gourmet food products, including meats, seafood, cheeses, pastry ingredients, and other culinary items.
- Restaurant Supplies and Equipment: They also provide restaurant supplies and equipment, catering to the needs of professional kitchens.
Leadership and Structure
Christopher Pappas is the Chairman and CEO. The company has a standard corporate structure with various departments, including sales, marketing, operations, and finance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Specialty Meats: High-end cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and poultry. Market share is difficult to pinpoint precisely due to the fragmented nature of the specialty food distribution market. Competitors include Sysco, US Foods, and smaller regional distributors.
- Seafood: Fresh and frozen seafood sourced from around the world. Competitors include Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Samuels and Son Seafood, and other regional seafood distributors.
- Pastry Ingredients: Premium chocolate, vanilla, and other baking essentials. Competitors include Barry Callebaut, Valrhona, and King Arthur Baking Company.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The specialty food distribution industry is characterized by a growing demand for high-quality, unique ingredients driven by consumer interest in diverse culinary experiences.
Positioning
The Chefs' Warehouse is positioned as a premium distributor focused on serving high-end restaurants and chefs. Its competitive advantages include a broad product selection, strong supplier relationships, and expertise in handling delicate and perishable goods.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The estimated TAM for specialty food distribution in North America is $40-$60 billion. The Chefs' Warehouse is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market, given its focus on high-end establishments.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation
- Extensive product selection
- Established relationships with high-end restaurants
- Efficient distribution network
- Focus on quality and service
Weaknesses
- Reliance on high-end restaurants, making it susceptible to economic downturns
- High operating costs due to the nature of specialty food distribution
- Geographic concentration in certain markets
- Susceptibility to food safety concerns
Opportunities
- Expansion into new geographic markets
- Growth in online ordering and delivery
- Acquisitions of smaller regional distributors
- Development of private-label products
- Partnerships with food tech companies
Threats
- Economic downturns impacting the restaurant industry
- Increased competition from larger distributors like Sysco and US Foods
- Fluctuations in food prices
- Changes in consumer preferences
- Supply chain disruptions
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- SYY
- USFD
- PFGC
Competitive Landscape
The Chefs' Warehouse competes with large national distributors like Sysco and US Foods, as well as smaller regional players. Its competitive advantage lies in its focus on specialty foods and its strong relationships with high-end restaurants. However, the larger distributors have greater scale and resources.
Major Acquisitions
Allen Brothers
- Year: 2017
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 52.5
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded The Chefs' Warehouse's offerings in premium meats, particularly for steakhouses and fine dining.
Misco Food Services
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 135
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded The Chefs' Warehouse's offerings in premium italian food. Further solidifying The Chefs' Warehouse as the largest supplier in New York.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: The Chefs' Warehouse has demonstrated consistent revenue growth over the past decade through organic expansion and acquisitions.
Future Projections: Analysts expect continued revenue growth driven by expansion into new markets and increased demand for specialty foods. Profitability is expected to improve as the company realizes synergies from acquisitions.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include expanding its online ordering platform, launching new private-label products, and acquiring regional distributors.
Summary
The Chefs' Warehouse is a strong player in the specialty food distribution market, catering primarily to high-end restaurants. Their strength comes from their vast selection of products and strategic acquisitions to expand their offerings. They need to watch out for larger competitors and economic downturns, which could impact their core customer base. Overall, the company is well-positioned for future growth.
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PFGC

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PFGC

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SYY

Sysco Corporation



SYY

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USFD

US Foods Holding Corp



USFD

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Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company filings (SEC)
- Analyst reports
- Industry publications
- Company Website
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Financial data is based on available information and may be subject to change. Market share estimates are approximate and may vary depending on the source.
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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