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The Chefs' Warehouse Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results
CHEFThe Chefs' Warehouse(CHEF) Newsfilter·2025-02-12 12:00

Core Viewpoint - The Chefs' Warehouse reported strong financial results for Q4 2024, achieving over 1billioninrevenueforthefirsttimeinitshistory,drivenbyrobustdemandintheupscalediningsectorandeffectivemarketsharegrowth[3][4].FinancialPerformanceNetsalesforQ42024increasedby8.71 billion in revenue for the first time in its history, driven by robust demand in the upscale dining sector and effective market share growth [3][4]. Financial Performance - Net sales for Q4 2024 increased by 8.7% to 1,033.6 million from 950.5millioninQ42023[4][9].Grossprofitroseby9.8950.5 million in Q4 2023 [4][9]. - Gross profit rose by 9.8% to 251.0 million, with gross profit margins increasing by approximately 23 basis points to 24.3% [5][8]. - Operating income for Q4 2024 was 46.5million,upfrom46.5 million, up from 38.2 million in Q4 2023, representing an operating income margin of 4.5% [8][9]. Customer and Market Dynamics - Organic case count in the specialty category increased by approximately 6.1%, with unique customer placements and new customer acquisitions rising by 4.5% and 12.3%, respectively [4][3]. - The company experienced strong demand across domestic and international markets, particularly during the holiday season [3]. Expense Management - Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by approximately 8.9% to 206.8million,primarilyduetohigherdepreciation,compensation,anddistributioncosts[6][8].OtheroperatingincomeforQ42024was206.8 million, primarily due to higher depreciation, compensation, and distribution costs [6][8]. - Other operating income for Q4 2024 was 2.3 million, compared to an expense of 0.5millioninQ42023,mainlyduetononcashcreditsrelatedtocontingentliabilities[7].EarningsandGuidanceNetincomeforQ42024was0.5 million in Q4 2023, mainly due to non-cash credits related to contingent liabilities [7]. Earnings and Guidance - Net income for Q4 2024 was 23.9 million, or 0.55perdilutedshare,comparedto0.55 per diluted share, compared to 16.0 million, or 0.38perdilutedshare,inQ42023[9][10].Thecompanyprovidedfiscal2025guidance,projectingnetsalesintherangeof0.38 per diluted share, in Q4 2023 [9][10]. - The company provided fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting net sales in the range of 3.94 billion to 4.04billionandadjustedEBITDAbetween4.04 billion and adjusted EBITDA between 233 million and $246 million [15][29].