Why This Matters to Distributors: Chefs’ Warehouse’s results point to continued strength in foodservice distribution despite an uneven economy. Growth in customer accounts, product volume and market share suggests independent restaurants and hospitality customers continue to invest, creating opportunities for specialty food distributors.
The Chefs’ Warehouse Inc. reported double-digit growth in second-quarter sales and net income, driven by higher order volumes, new customer wins, and continued gains in market share across its North American business.
The Ridgefield, Connecticut-based specialty food distributor said second-quarter sales increased 12.9% to $1.17 billion, up from $1.03 billion a year earlier. Net income increased 59.0% to $33.8 million, compared with $21.2 million in the second quarter of 2025.
For the first six months of 2026, sales increased 12.2% to $2.23 billion, up from $1.99 billion in the same period last year. Year-to-date net income rose 62.2% to $51.1 million, compared with $31.5 million in the first half of 2025.
The company said all its growth came from existing operations rather than acquisitions. Organic sales increased 12.2%, while acquisitions contributed $7.6 million, or 0.7%, to quarterly sales growth. Specialty product case volume increased 6.0%, the number of unique customers grew 3.6%, and product placements increased 7.2% from a year earlier. Volume in the company’s center-of-the-plate meat and seafood business increased 8.8%.
“Second quarter 2026 displayed strong growth in both revenue and profitability,” says CEO Christopher Pappas said. “We are driving market share gains via growth in product penetration, case volume and unique customers, combined with ongoing improvement in operational efficiency.”
The company also reported improving performance in the Middle East, where sales during May and June reached approximately 94% of year-earlier levels despite seasonal slowing during the summer months.
Higher sales volume and pricing helped lift profitability during the quarter. Gross profit increased 15.2% to $292.9 million, up from $254.3 million a year earlier. Operating income climbed 45.8% to $58.6 million, compared with $40.2 million in the second quarter of 2025, as revenue growth more than offset higher labor, facility, and distribution costs.
Chefs’ Warehouse reaffirmed its full-year outlook, projecting 2026 sales of $4.50 billion to $4.60 billion and gross profit of $1.10 billion to $1.13 billion, reflecting continued confidence in demand from independent restaurants and other foodservice customers.
The company distributes more than 90,000 specialty food products to more than 55,000 customer locations, including independent restaurants, hotels, country clubs, caterers, bakeries, cruise lines and specialty food retailers across the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.
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