RIDGEFIELD, Conn., March 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHEF), a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States, announced today that it has filed a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and an acquisition shelf registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Upon effectiveness of the universal shelf registration statement, the Company will be able to sell in primary offerings up to $300.0 million of a variety of its securities over the next three years, which may consist of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants or units consisting of any of the foregoing. Upon effectiveness of the acquisition shelf registration statement on Form S-4, the Company will be able to issue up to 4,000,000 shares of its common stock in one or more acquisition transactions that the Company may make from time to time. These transactions may include acquisitions of assets, businesses or securities, whether by purchase, merger or any other form of business combination.

"We believe that the shelf registration statements provide us greater financial flexibility in the event we identify strategic opportunities that may require additional capital or for which we may desire to use our common stock as all or a portion of the consideration paid to acquire certain assets, securities or businesses," said Chris Pappas, chairman and chief executive officer of The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc.

The registration statements described above have been filed with the SEC but have not yet become effective. The securities registered under these registration statements may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statements become effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Any offering of the securities registered on the registration statements described above will be made solely by means of the prospectus included in the registration statement at the time the registration statement is declared effective and any prospectus supplement that may be issued with respect to a particular offering.

About The Chefs' Warehouse

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (http://www.chefswarehouse.com) is a premier distributor of specialty food products in the United States 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 and specialty food stores. The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. carries and distributes more than 20,700 products to more than 12,500 customer locations throughout the United States.

CONTACT: Investor Relations

         John Austin, (718) 684-8415

News Provided by Acquire Media