The Chefs’ Warehouse Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Available liquidity of approximately $241.8 million


RIDGEFIELD, Conn., July 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHEF) (the “Company” or “Chefs’”), a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States and Canada, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 26, 2020.

Financial highlights for the second quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2019:

  • Net sales decreased 51.3% to $200.5 million for the second quarter of 2020 from $411.4 million for the second quarter of 2019.
  • GAAP net loss was $20.3 million, or $(0.57) per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2020 compared to net income of $7.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019.
  • Adjusted EPS1 was $(0.52) for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $0.33 for the second quarter of 2019.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 was $(13.7) million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $26.0 million for the second quarter of 2019.
  • The Company had approximately $210.0 million of cash on the balance sheet and $31.8 million of availability on its asset-based loan facility as of July 24, 2020.

“The second quarter was one of the most challenging quarters in our company’s history,” said Chris Pappas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Our company focus was centered on the safety of our teams and supporting our customer and supplier partners during the gradual transition by restaurants to limited service, take-out and curbside operations. In addition, we continued developing and enhancing our emerging direct-to-consumer “Shop Like a Chef” platform. Despite our largest markets being closed for in-room dining, we saw gradual improvement from April activity averaging approximately 40% of prior-year revenue to June averaging approximately 60% of prior-year revenue. In addition to the impacts of COVID-19, expected openings in certain key markets were further delayed due to the widespread social protest activity across our network. During the quarter, we took a number of important steps to strengthen our balance sheet and right-size our cost structure to ensure Chefs’ will eventually be back on the path to growth and improving profitability that we were on prior to this period of volatility and uncertainty driven by COVID-19.”

Second Quarter Fiscal 2020 Results

Net sales for the quarter ended June 26, 2020 decreased 51.3% to $200.5 million from $411.4 million for the quarter ended June 28, 2019. Organic revenue declined $237.6 million, or 57.8% versus the prior year quarter. Sales growth of $26.7 million, or 6.5%, resulted from acquisitions. Organic case count declined approximately 68.3% in the Company’s specialty category with unique customers and placements declines at 56.3% and 69.1%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter. Pounds sold in the Company’s center-of-the-plate category decreased approximately 51.3% compared to the prior year quarter. Estimated inflation was 0.2% in the Company’s specialty categories and was 6.7% in the center-of-the-plate categories compared to the prior year quarter.

Gross profit decreased approximately 55.4% to $47.4 million for the second quarter of 2020 from $106.5 million for the second quarter of 2019. Gross profit margin decreased approximately 222 basis points to 23.7% from 25.9%. Gross margins in the Company’s specialty category decreased 641 basis points and gross margins increased 212 basis points in the Company’s center-of-the-plate category compared to the prior year quarter. Total gross profit results include an increase in valuation adjustments of approximately $5.5 million related to estimated inventory losses due to the expected extended impact of COVID-19 on certain markets and customer openings.

Total operating expenses decreased by approximately 19.9% to $72.8 million for the second quarter of 2020 from $90.9 million for the second quarter of 2019. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses were 36.3% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to 22.1% in the second quarter of 2019. Lower costs associated with compensation and benefits and lower distribution related costs were the primary drivers of the decrease in operating expenses in the quarter.

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2020 was $25.4 million compared to operating income of $15.5 million for the second quarter of 2019. The decrease in operating income was driven primarily by lower gross profit, offset in part by lower operating expenses, as discussed above. As a percentage of net sales, operating loss was 12.6% in the second quarter of 2020 as compared to operating income of 3.8% in the second quarter of 2019.

Total interest expense increased to $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $4.8 million for the second quarter of 2019. The increase was primarily due to $1.2 million in one-time third-party costs incurred during the second quarter of 2020 in connection with the extension of a majority of the Company’s senior secured term loans.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2020 was $20.3 million, or $(0.57) per diluted share, compared to net income of $7.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2019. 

Adjusted EBITDA1 was $(13.7) million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $26.0 million for the second quarter of 2019. For the second quarter of 2020, adjusted net loss1 was $18.7 million, or $(0.52) per diluted share compared to adjusted net income of $9.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2019.

As of July 24, 2020, the Company had approximately $241.8 million of available liquidity comprised of $210.0 million in cash and $31.8 million of availability under the Company’s ABL Credit Facility. Net debt as of July 24 2020 was approximately $193.3 million, inclusive of cash and cash equivalents.

Full Year 2020 Guidance

Due to the continued uncertainty regarding the pace of economic recovery and the lifting of in-dining restrictions across our markets, the Company will not be providing guidance for 2020. The Company will look to provide guidance as it gains more clarity on the expected length of the economic downturn and the outlook for customer re-openings.

1EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. Please see the schedules accompanying this earnings release for a reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted EPS to these measures’ most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Second Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2020 financial results today at 8:30 a.m. EST. Hosting the call will be Chris Pappas, chairman and chief executive officer, and Jim Leddy, chief financial officer. The conference call will be webcast live from the Company’s investor relations website at http://investors.chefswarehouse.com/. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s investor relations website for 30 days.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the Company’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and management estimates; actual results may differ materially. The risks and uncertainties which could impact these statements include, but are not limited to the following: our sensitivity to general economic conditions, including disposable income levels and changes in consumer discretionary spending; our ability to expand our operations in our existing markets and to penetrate new markets through acquisitions; we may not achieve the benefits expected from our acquisitions, which could adversely impact our business and operating results; we may have difficulty managing and facilitating our future growth; conditions beyond our control could materially affect the cost and/or availability of our specialty food products or center-of-the-plate products and/or interrupt our distribution network; our increased distribution of center-of-the-plate products, like meat, poultry and seafood, involves increased exposure to price volatility experienced by those products; our business is a low-margin business and our profit margins may be sensitive to inflationary and deflationary pressures; because our foodservice distribution operations are concentrated in certain culinary markets, we are susceptible to economic and other developments, including adverse weather conditions, in these areas; fuel cost volatility may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations; our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited; we may be unable to obtain debt or other financing, including financing necessary to execute on our acquisition strategy, on favorable terms or at all; interest charged on our outstanding debt may be adversely affected by changes in the method of determining London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate; our business operations and future development could be significantly disrupted if we lose key members of our management team; and significant public health epidemics or pandemics, including COVID-19, may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and, as such, speak only as of the date made. A more detailed description of these and other risk factors is contained in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020  and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC since that date. The Company is not undertaking to update any information until required by applicable laws. Any projections of future results of operations are based on a number of assumptions, many of which are outside the Company’s control and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. The Company may from time to time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so.

About The Chefs’ Warehouse

The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. (http://www.chefswarehouse.com) is a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States and Canada focused on serving the specific needs of chefs who own and/or operate some of the nation’s leading menu-driven independent restaurants, fine dining establishments, country clubs, hotels, caterers, culinary schools, bakeries, patisseries, chocolateries, cruise lines, casinos and specialty food stores. The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc. carries and distributes more than 55,000 products to more than 34,000 customer locations throughout the United States and Canada.

Contact:
Investor Relations
Jim Leddy, CFO, (718) 684-8415

 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands except share amounts and per share data)
    
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Net sales$200,496  $411,420  $575,927  $768,447 
Cost of sales153,057  304,945  437,587  571,783 
Gross profit47,439  106,475  138,340  196,664 
        
Operating expenses72,847  90,939  180,764  174,978 
Operating (loss) income(25,408) 15,536  (42,424) 21,686 
        
Interest expense5,772  4,845  10,896  9,396 
Loss on asset disposal1  6  43  40 
(Loss) income before income taxes(31,181) 10,685  (53,363) 12,250 
        
Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(10,847) 2,939  (18,944) 3,370 
        
Net (loss) income$(20,334) $7,746  $(34,419) $8,880 
        
        
Net (loss) income per share:       
Basic$(0.57) $0.26  $(1.05) $0.30 
Diluted$(0.57) $0.26  $(1.05) $0.30 
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding:       
Basic35,759,193  29,527,167  32,672,876  29,492,138 
Diluted35,759,193  29,848,285  32,672,876  29,844,614 
            


 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 26, 2020 AND DECEMBER 27, 2019
(in thousands)
    
 June 26, 2020 December 27, 2019
 (unaudited)  
Cash and cash equivalents$201,824  $140,233 
Accounts receivable, net105,125  175,044 
Inventories, net96,627  124,056 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets27,711  13,823 
Total current assets431,287  453,156 
    
Equipment, leasehold improvements and software, net121,175  92,846 
Operating lease right-of-use assets122,881  127,649 
Goodwill214,561  197,743 
Intangible assets, net142,355  138,751 
Other assets3,141  3,534 
Total assets$1,035,400  $1,013,679 
    
    
Accounts payable$60,878  $94,097 
Accrued liabilities28,368  29,847 
Short-term operating lease liabilities17,968  17,453 
Accrued compensation8,550  8,033 
Current portion of long-term debt5,905  721 
Total current liabilities121,669  150,151 
    
Long-term debt, net of current portion397,818  386,106 
Operating lease liabilities115,757  120,572 
Deferred taxes, net5,069  10,883 
Other liabilities7,770  10,034 
Total liabilities648,083  677,746 
    
Preferred stock   
Common stock378  304 
Additional paid in capital298,230  212,240 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment(2,309) (2,048)
Retained earnings91,018  125,437 
Stockholders’ equity387,317  335,933 
    
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,035,400  $1,013,679 
        


 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED JUNE 26, 2020 AND JUNE 28, 2019
(unaudited, in thousands)
    
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net (loss) income$(34,419) $8,880 
    
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization9,675  6,055 
Amortization of intangible assets6,720  6,184 
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts19,611  1,914 
Non-cash operating lease expense463  1,151 
Deferred taxes(5,814) 1,332 
Amortization of deferred financing fees1,478  1,044 
Stock compensation2,850  2,003 
Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities(6,649) 2,795 
Loss on asset disposal43  40 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:   
Accounts receivable70,483  7,424 
Inventories34,877  (7,965)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(9,460) (640)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and accrued compensation(43,398) (5,482)
Other assets and liabilities1,119  (2,845)
Net cash provided by operating activities47,579  21,890 
    
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Capital expenditures(4,400) (8,549)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received(63,450) (28,292)
Net cash used in investing activities(67,850) (36,841)
    
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Payment of debt, finance lease and other financing obligations(37,439) (1,716)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs85,941   
Payment of deferred financing fees(856)  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  558 
Surrender of shares to pay withholding taxes(2,727) (868)
Cash paid for contingent earn-out liability(2,927) (200)
Borrowings under asset based loan facility100,000   
Payments under asset based loan facility(60,000) (960)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities81,992  (3,186)
    
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents(130) 21 
    
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents61,591  (18,116)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period140,233  42,410 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$201,824  $24,294 
        


 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
(unaudited; in thousands except share amounts and per share data)
    
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Numerator:       
Net (loss) income$(20,334) $7,746  $(34,419) $8,880 
Denominator:       
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding35,759,193  29,527,167  32,672,876  29,492,138 
Dilutive effect of unvested common shares  321,118    352,476 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding35,759,193  29,848,285  32,672,876  29,844,614 
        
Net (loss) income per share:       
Basic$(0.57) $0.26  $(1.05) $0.30 
Diluted$(0.57) $0.26  $(1.05) $0.30 
                


 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA TO NET (LOSS) INCOME
(unaudited; in thousands)
    
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Net (loss) income$(20,334) $7,746  $(34,419) $8,880 
Interest expense5,772  4,845  10,896  9,396 
Depreciation4,913  3,174  9,675  6,055 
Amortization3,422  3,307  6,720  6,184 
Provision for income tax (benefit) expense(10,847) 2,939  (18,944) 3,370 
EBITDA (1)(17,074) 22,011  (26,072) 33,885 
        
Adjustments:       
Stock compensation (2)1,999  1,088  2,850  2,003 
Duplicate rent (3)698  163  1,396  163 
Integration and deal costs/third party transaction costs (4)506  32  940  210 
Change in fair value of earn-out obligations (5)163  2,688  (6,649) 2,795 
Loss on asset disposal (6)1  6  43  40 
Moving expenses (7)      61 
        
Adjusted EBITDA (1)$(13,707) $25,988  $(27,492) $39,157 
                
  1. We are presenting EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are not measurements determined in accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, because we believe these measures provide additional metrics to evaluate our operations and which we believe, when considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to net income, provide a more complete understanding of our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure.  We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, together with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as revenue and cash flows from operations, to assess our historical and prospective operating performance and to enhance our understanding of our core operating performance. The use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as performance measures permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based upon GAAP results while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies.

  2. Represents non-cash stock compensation expense associated with awards of restricted shares of our common stock and stock options to our key employees and our independent directors.

  3. Represents duplicate rent and occupancy costs for our Los Angeles, CA facility.

  4. Represents transaction related costs incurred to complete and integrate acquisitions, including due diligence, legal and integration.

  5. Represents the non-cash change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities related to our acquisitions.

  6. Represents the non-cash charge related to the disposal of certain equipment.

  7. Represents moving expenses for the consolidation and expansion of our Ridgefield, CT and Toronto, Canada facilities.
 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET (LOSS) INCOME TO NET (LOSS) INCOME
(unaudited; in thousands except share amounts and per share data)
    
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Net (loss) income$(20,334) $7,746  $(34,419) $8,880 
        
Adjustments to Reconcile Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted Net (Loss) Income (1):       
Duplicate rent (2)698  163  1,396  163 
Integration and deal costs/third party transaction costs (3)506  32  940  210 
Moving expenses (4)      61 
Change in fair value of earn-out obligations (5)163  2,688  (6,649) 2,795 
Third party debt modification fees (6)1,233    1,233   
Loss on asset disposal (7)1  6  43  40 
Tax effect of adjustments (8)(980) (794) 1,078  (899)
        
Total adjustments1,621  2,095  (1,959) 2,370 
        
Adjusted net (loss) income$(18,713) $9,841  $(36,378) $11,250 
        
Diluted adjusted earnings per common share$(0.52) $0.33  $(1.11) $0.38 
        
Diluted shares outstanding - adjusted35,759,193  29,848,285  32,672,876  29,844,614 
            
  1. We are presenting adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per common share (EPS), which are not measurements determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, because we believe these measures provide additional metrics to evaluate our operations and which we believe, when considered with both our GAAP results and the reconciliation to net income available to common stockholders, provide a more complete understanding of our business than could be obtained absent this disclosure. We use adjusted net income available to common stockholders and adjusted EPS, together with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as revenue and cash flows from operations, to assess our historical and prospective operating performance and to enhance our understanding of our core operating performance.  The use of adjusted net income available to common stockholders and adjusted EPS as performance measures permits a comparative assessment of our operating performance relative to our performance based upon our GAAP results while isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies.
     
  2. Represents duplicate rent and occupancy costs for our Los Angeles, CA facility.
     
  3. Represents transaction related costs incurred to complete and integrate acquisitions, including due diligence, legal and integration.
     
  4. Represents moving expenses for the consolidation and expansion of our Ridgefield, CT and Toronto, Canada facilities.
     
  5. Represents the non-cash change in fair value of contingent earn-out liabilities related to our acquisitions.
     
  6. Represents investment banking fees paid in connection with the modification of our senior secured term loan.
     
  7. Represents the non-cash charge related to the disposal of certain equipment.
     
  8. Represents the tax effect of items 2 through 7 above.
 
THE CHEFS’ WAREHOUSE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
(unaudited; in thousands except share amounts and per share data)
    
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019 June 26, 2020 June 28, 2019
Numerator:       
Adjusted net (loss) income$(18,713) $9,841  $(36,378) $11,250 
Denominator:       
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding35,759,193  29,527,167  32,672,876  29,492,138 
Dilutive effect of unvested common shares  321,118    352,476 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding35,759,193  29,848,285  32,672,876  29,844,614 
        
Adjusted earnings per share:       
Diluted$(0.52) $0.33  $(1.11) $0.38