| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 29 | 50.0x | 17.8x | Bottom tier | |
Growth | 60 | 11.2% | 7.1% | Around median | |
Quality | 64 | 8.6% | 4.5% | Around median | |
Safety | 48 | 3.8x | 2.6x | Around median | |
Capital Return | 41 | — | 2.12% | Around median | |
Momentum | 98 | 74.3% | 2.9% | Top tier | |
Sentiment | 35 | 5 | 3 | Bottom tier |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
The Chefs' Warehouse operates as a specialty distributor of high-quality food ingredients, focusing on fine-dining and upscale casual restaurant customers in North America and the Middle East. Its model is built on a flexible supply network, specialized product expertise, on-time order delivery, and direct relationships with chefs, while growing revenue by adding new customers, increasing the number of items sold per customer, and expanding product categories. In fiscal Q2 2026, organic specialty product sales increased 10%, driven by 7.2% growth in unique product placements, a 6% increase in specialty cases, and a 3.6% rise in unique customers; customer growth would have been approximately 4.9% excluding the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, while center of the plate category pounds increased 8.8%.
In fiscal Q2 2026, net sales increased 12.9% year over year to $1.169 billion, including 12.2% organic growth and a 0.7% contribution from acquisitions. Gross profit increased 15.2% to $292.9 million, and gross profit margin improved 49 basis points to 25.1%; specialty product margin also improved 47 basis points, and center of the plate category margin improved 75 basis points. Net price inflation was 4.9%, comprising 4% in specialty products and 6.4% in the center of the plate category, while produce represents approximately 14% of total revenue.
Operating income in fiscal Q2 2026 increased to $58.6 million from $40.2 million, and GAAP net income rose to $33.8 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, from $21.2 million and $0.49 per share a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA was $88.1 million versus $65.4 million, despite a 9.6% increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses to $234.2 million due to compensation and benefits, facilities, distribution, and depreciation associated with fleet and facility investments.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
The average analyst price target is $111, with a wide range of $97 to $125 and a consensus Buy rating; the average is below the 52-week range high of $117.33, while the highest target exceeds that high and the lowest target remains clearly above the range low of $53.20. No price-to-earnings multiple is provided in the data, so the stock's valuation here is based on the breadth of the target range and the company's ability to execute its fiscal 2026 guidance and fiscal 2030 targets, while accounting for Middle East risks and the expected slowdown in growth in the second half.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-08-31; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
Net sales increased 12.9% to $1.169 billion in the quarter ended June 26, 2026, driven by 12.2% organic growth and a 0.7% contribution from acquisitions. Unique product placements increased 7.2%, specialty cases rose 6%, and center of the plate category pounds increased 8.8%. The number of unique customers also increased 3.6%, or approximately 4.9% when excluding the impact of the conflict in the Middle East. Net price inflation of 4.9% contributed to growth but was not the sole driver.
Gross profit increased 15.2% to $292.9 million, and its margin improved 49 basis points to 25.1% in fiscal Q2 2026. Operating income rose to $58.6 million from $40.2 million, while net income reached $33.8 million versus $21.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased to $88.1 million from $65.4 million, with its margin improving 120 basis points year over year. This occurred despite an increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses to $234.2 million.
Management expects sales of between $4.5 billion and $4.6 billion in fiscal 2026. Gross profit guidance ranges from $1.102 billion to $1.125 billion, and adjusted EBITDA guidance ranges from $305 million to $315 million. This implies an adjusted margin of 6.8%, up 70 basis points from the prior year. The company also expects a fully diluted share count of between 46 million and 46.7 million shares due to the dilutive effect of the convertible notes due in 2028.
The company is targeting revenue of between $6 billion and $6.5 billion in fiscal 2030, based on an annual growth rate of between 7% and 10%. It expects organic growth to be the primary driver, with a modest acquisition contribution of approximately 1% annually. It is also targeting adjusted EBITDA of between $450 million and $520 million and a margin of between 7.5% and 8%. The plan is tied to expanding capacity in New England, Texas, Las Vegas, and the Midwest, and improving routes, facilities, pricing, and purchasing.
The Middle East operations functioned at approximately 75% of the prior-year level at the beginning of the conflict, then improved to approximately 94% during May and June 2026. The team faced difficulties bringing products into the region, so it used alternative ports, air freight, and land transportation instead of some sea routes, resulting in longer transit times and higher product prices. Management incorporated a degree of caution into its fiscal 2026 guidance due to uncertainty regarding the return of tourism in fiscal Q4 2026. Conversely, the company said its North American operations experienced no supply impact from these disruptions.
Total liquidity was $321.1 million as of June 26, 2026, comprising $135.5 million in cash and $185.6 million available under the ABL facility. The company repaid $30 million of debt under this facility during fiscal Q2 2026, reducing the drawn balance to $70 million. Net debt was $478.5 million, while net debt to adjusted EBITDA remained at 1.6 times, within the target range of 1.5 to 2.5 times. Management intends to allocate capital to capacity, the fleet, technology, and share repurchases, while retaining flexibility for disciplined tuck-in acquisitions.
