The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. CHEF delivered a wider gap between sales and profit growth in the second quarter of 2026. Net sales increased 12.9%, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 34.6% and operating income rose sharply.
Management also raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook. The next test is whether better cost absorption, network efficiencies and technology investments can sustain profit growth ahead of sales.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CHEF's Q2 Margins Show Better Operating Leverage
Gross margin expanded 49 basis points year over year to 25.1% in the second quarter. Operating margin rose to 5.1% from 3.9%, reflecting higher gross profit and better expense leverage.
Adjusted operating expenses increased 8.4%, well below the 12.9% increase in net sales. SG&A expenses rose 9.6% to $234.2 million but declined to 20% of sales from 20.7% a year earlier, showing that the distribution platform absorbed growth more efficiently.
Chefs' Warehouse Raised Its 2026 EBITDA Outlook
Management now expects adjusted EBITDA of $305-$315 million for fiscal 2026, alongside net sales of $4.50-$4.60 billion. The revised outlook follows second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $88.1 million, up from $65.4 million a year earlier.
That 34.6% EBITDA increase materially outpaced sales growth and gives investors a clear benchmark for the remainder of the year. Sustaining that spread would depend on continued gross-margin improvement and operating expenses growing more slowly than sales.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CHEF's Efficiency Push Could Extend Margin Gains
CHEF is targeting facility and route consolidation, procurement, pricing, inventory management and technology deployment to lower unit costs and improve productivity. Its second-quarter presentation showed gross profit per route rising 5.6% for the trailing 12 months versus 2025, while adjusted EBITDA per employee increased 9%.
The company is also deploying data analytics and AI-based tools across sales, pricing, procurement, inventory management, logistics and customer experience. That strategy is designed to support cross-selling and efficiency as the network scales.
Comparable foodservice distributors are pursuing their own efficiency agendas. Sysco Corporation SYY reported supply-chain productivity improvements in its U.S. Foodservice business in fiscal 2026 and announced additional cost-saving initiatives for fiscal 2027. US Foods Holding Corp. USFD reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA growth of 6.2% while maintaining a focus on cost savings and operating discipline.
Middle East Uncertainty Still Clouds CHEF's Outlook
CHEF's Middle East operations recovered to about 94% of prior-year levels during May and June, up from roughly 75% at the start of the regional conflict. Management nevertheless built conservatism into guidance because the pace of fourth-quarter tourism recovery remains uncertain.
Regional logistics have required rerouting through different ports and transportation modes, which has lengthened lead times and increased product costs. Persistent disruption could therefore limit margin progress even if North American execution remains solid.
CHEF's Growth Score Fits the Earnings Upside Story
The bottom line is that CHEF has a credible path to keep profit growth ahead of sales growth if gross-margin gains, route productivity and expense leverage continue. The higher adjusted EBITDA outlook raises the execution bar, while Middle East uncertainty remains a meaningful offset.
CHEF currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), along with a Growth Score of A and a VGM Score of B. Those readings fit investors looking for top-ranked stocks with favorable growth characteristics and a balanced mix of value, growth and momentum factors. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Value Score of D and Momentum Score of D are less supportive. That mix makes delivery against the higher EBITDA outlook and continued operating leverage important measures of whether the earnings trajectory can remain favorable.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Â
Â
Â
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.