The Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (CHEF)
NASDAQ:CHEF
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Earnings Data
Report Date
Aug 05, 2026After Close (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q2)Consensus EPS Forecast
0.58Last Year’s EPS
0.52Same Quarter Last Year
Strong Buy
Based on 5 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call was broadly positive: the company delivered strong organic and reported revenue growth, notable margin and profitability expansion, improved operational metrics, healthy liquidity and deleveraging, and maintained full-year guidance with upside potential. The primary negatives were external and transitory: the geopolitical impact in the Middle East (reducing recent demand to ~75% of prior year and shaving ~50 bps from Q1 organic growth), weather-related disruptions, Texas customer attrition tied to a strategic transition, and elevated SG&A and commodity inflation that management says it is effectively managing.Company Guidance
Top-Line Revenue Growth
Net sales increased ~11.4% to $1.059 billion in Q1 2026 from $950.7 million a year ago; organic net sales grew 10.4% and acquisitions contributed ~1% to growth.
Strong Profitability and Margin Expansion
Gross profit rose 13.9% to $257.4 million and gross margin expanded ~53 basis points to 24.3%; specialty gross margin +43 bps and center-of-the-plate margin +110 bps year-over-year.
Significant Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income Improvement
Adjusted EBITDA was $60.1 million vs. $47.5 million a year ago (~+26.5%); GAAP net income $17.4 million ($0.40/share) vs. $10.3 million ($0.25/share); adjusted net income $17.2 million ($0.40) vs. $10.2 million ($0.25).
Volume, Placement and Customer Growth
Organic specialty sales +6.8% driven by unique placement growth +6.2% and specialty case growth +5.7%; unique customers +1.9% YoY (adjusted to ~4.3% excluding attrition from noncore Texas customers); pounds in center-of-the-plate +6.2%.
Robust North American Execution and Market Share Gains
North America (over 90% of sales) grew well above guidance, producing operating leverage and compelling YoY adjusted EBITDA growth; management reports continued market-share gains and strong momentum into April (expecting double-digit top-line growth to start Q2).
Improved Operating Efficiency Metrics
Management highlighted continued improvement in gross profit per route and adjusted EBITDA per employee, reflecting operational leverage from prior investments in facilities, systems and talent.
Healthy Liquidity and Deleveraging
Total liquidity of $278.3 million (cash $122.7M + ABL availability $155.6M); net debt approximately $522 million and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ~1.9x; $5M term loan prepayment in Q1.
Capital Return and Balanced Capital Allocation
Purchased ~$10 million of shares under the repurchase program in Q1 while maintaining flexibility for opportunistic M&A and gradual debt paydown.
Full-Year Guidance Maintained
Company kept 2026 guidance unchanged: net sales $4.35B–$4.45B, gross profit $1.053B–$1.076B, adjusted EBITDA $276M–$286M, with potential for upside if geographic volatility normalizes.
CHEF Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
CHEF Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Apr 29, 2026 | $64.24 | $75.70 | +17.84% |
Feb 11, 2026 | $65.36 | $64.15 | -1.85% |
Oct 29, 2025 | $58.61 | $62.35 | +6.38% |
Jul 30, 2025 | $61.56 | $66.92 | +8.71% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does The Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (CHEF) report earnings?
The Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (CHEF) is schdueled to report earning on Aug 05, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
What is The Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (CHEF) earnings time?
The Chefs' Warehouse Inc. (CHEF) earnings time is at Aug 05, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is CHEF EPS forecast?
CHEF EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q2) is 0.58.
