Walk into a US Foods CHEF’STORE and you won’t be asked for a membership card. That’s because the warehouse retailer, with over 70 locations across eight states, is open to everyone—restaurant owners, caterers, and home cooks alike. No fees, no contracts, just wholesale pricing on restaurant-grade supplies.

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CHEF’STORE locations: Over 70 warehouses across 8 US states · Membership requirement: None; open to the public since inception · Parent company: US Foods, founded 1989 · Previous name: Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores (until 2021)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact live store count not published on a single official page (estimated 70+)
  • Whether CHEF’STORE will expand beyond the current eight states in the near future
  • Whether all CHEF’STORE locations offer online ordering or delivery
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Five facts that define CHEF’STORE’s identity: from founding to store count.

Fact Detail
Founded as Smart Foodservice 1989 (rebranded to CHEF’STORE in 2021)
Parent company US Foods (ticker: USFD)
Number of stores 70+ warehouse-style locations
Membership requirement None
States with locations AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, NC, OK, OR

Can anyone buy at the US chef store?

No membership requirement at CHEF’STORE

Who can shop: restaurant owners, caterers, and the general public

  • Designed for both professional chefs and home cooks (US Foods CHEF’STORE page)
  • Non-profit organizations and the public are welcome (US Foods Investor Relations (earnings release))
Bottom line: CHEF’STORE is what it says it is: a wholesale store with zero barriers to entry. For home cooks: you get restaurant pricing without a restaurant license. For small business owners: no membership fees to cut into your margins.

The implication: shoppers can access professional-grade supplies without the typical cost or paperwork.

What do they sell at the US Foods chef store?

Wholesale food categories: meats, produce, dairy, dry goods

  • Fresh meat and seafood, produce, dairy, and dry goods in bulk (CHEF’STORE homepage)
  • Brand-name items alongside US Foods private label (CHEF’STORE Locations (product description))
  • Bulk packaging available for most items (US Foods CHEF’STORE page)

Restaurant equipment and kitchen supplies

Disposables and janitorial items

  • Takeout containers, to-go bags, gloves, and cleaning chemicals (CHEF’STORE homepage)
The catch

The product range is broad but not as deep as a full-size grocery store. If you need three different brands of mayonnaise, you’ll find one or two. But for the core items a restaurant or serious home cook uses daily, it’s all there.

The pattern: the store prioritizes volume over variety, which suits high‑use buyers.

What was the previous name of the US chef store?

Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores: history

  • Founded in 1989 as Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores (Wikipedia (US Foods Chef’Store))
  • Operated as a regional warehouse chain focused on the western US (Progressive Grocer)

Rebranding to CHEF’STORE in 2021

  • US Foods acquired Smart Foodservice in 2021 and rebranded all locations to CHEF’STORE (Wikipedia)
  • Rebannered stores remain open to the public with no membership (Progressive Grocer)
Bottom line: The rebrand gave the chain a fresh identity under US Foods, but the core promise—no membership, wholesale pricing—stayed the same. The old Smart Foodservice name lives on in some signage, but the company is fully CHEF’STORE now.

What this means: the brand change did not alter the shopping experience, only the name.

Is US Foods still around?

US Foods financial overview: first quarter fiscal 2026

  • US Foods reported $9.6 billion in revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 (US Foods Investor Relations (quarterly earnings))
  • Publicly traded on NYSE under ticker USFD (US Foods corporate site (investor relations))

Company stability and market position

  • US Foods is one of the largest food distributors in the United States (Wikipedia (US Foods))
  • Continues to expand CHEF’STORE with new locations, including entry into Georgia in 2024 (US Foods Investor Relations)
Why this matters

US Foods is not just surviving—it’s investing in physical retail. The $9.6B quarterly revenue shows the parent company has the financial muscle to keep opening CHEF’STORE locations. For shoppers, that means more stores likely coming to a state near you.

The catch: the growth trajectory depends on continued corporate investment, but current figures are strong.

How to find a CHEF’STORE near you and shop

Using the store locator on chefstore.com

  1. Visit CHEF’STORE Locations page and enter your ZIP code.
  2. View store address, hours, and phone number.
  3. If you’re looking for a nearby dining option, also check our guide on LongHorn Steakhouse Near Me: Find Locations, Menu & Prices.

In-store shopping tips

  • Bring your own bags or boxes; the warehouse experience is bulk-oriented.
  • No membership card needed—just walk in and shop.
  • Same pricing for everyone, so no need to show any ID.

Online ordering via CHEF’STORE account

  • Create an account on CHEF’STORE website to order online.
  • Online ordering available for in-store pickup or delivery where offered (CHEF’STORE Online Ordering (store services))
The trade-off

Online ordering is convenient, but the real value is in the in-store experience—seeing the massive cuts of meat, grabbing a case of produce, and discovering new bulk items you didn’t know you needed. If you’re only shopping for a few items, the online order might not be worth the account setup.

The implication: for maximum savings and selection, visiting a physical location is recommended.

Upsides

  • No membership fees – saves $50–$100/year compared to competitors
  • Open to the public with no license required
  • Wholesale pricing on restaurant-grade products
  • Wide product range from food to equipment

Downsides

  • Limited to 8 states – not available nationwide
  • Bulk quantities may be too large for small households
  • Store hours vary by location; not all are 24/7
  • Online ordering not as robust as major grocers

Timeline: From Smart Foodservice to CHEF’STORE

  • : Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores founded
  • : US Foods acquires Smart Foodservice and rebrands to CHEF’STORE
  • : Five new CHEF’STORE locations announced, including first in Georgia
  • : US Foods reports Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue of $9.6 billion
Bottom line: The timeline shows a clear growth pattern. US Foods is actively expanding the CHEF’STORE footprint, and the financial results suggest they have the capital to continue.

What this means: the chain is on a solid expansion path, with new states entering the map.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • CHEF’STORE is open to the public with no membership fee
  • Previous name was Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores
  • US Foods is publicly traded and reporting revenue

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of current CHEF’STORE locations not published on a single official page (estimated 70+)
  • Whether CHEF’STORE will expand to additional states in the near future
  • Whether all CHEF’STORE locations offer online ordering or delivery

The pattern: the core facts are well‑documented, but the chain’s exact footprint and future plans remain opaque.

What they’re saying

No membership required!

— US Foods CHEF’STORE Facebook page

Chain of American warehouse grocery stores.

— Wikipedia entry for US Foods Chef’Store

For home cooks looking to save on bulk ingredients or small restaurant owners needing consistent supply, CHEF’STORE offers a rare blend of wholesale pricing and retail accessibility. The choice is clear: if you have a CHEF’STORE nearby, it’s worth a trip—or you might miss out on the best bulk deals in town.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, maps.apple.com, maps.apple.com, maps.apple.com, linkedin.com, seafoodsource.com, chefstore.com

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a business license to shop at CHEF’STORE?

No. CHEF’STORE is open to the public without any business license or membership. Anyone can walk in and buy.

Can I buy single items at CHEF’STORE or are they only bulk?

You can buy individual items. While bulk packages are available, you are not forced to buy in bulk. Single cuts of meat, single jars, etc., are sold.

Does CHEF’STORE accept credit cards?

Yes, CHEF’STORE accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Check with your local store for specific payment methods.

Can I return items to CHEF’STORE?

CHEF’STORE has a return policy. Most items can be returned with a receipt within a reasonable timeframe. Perishable items may have different rules. Check the store’s return policy or ask at the register.

Is there a CHEF’STORE near me?

Use the store locator on chefstore.com/locations to find the nearest location. Current states: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, NC, OK, OR.

How is CHEF’STORE different from Restaurant Depot?

Restaurant Depot requires a membership and a business license. CHEF’STORE has no membership and is open to the public. Both offer wholesale pricing, but CHEF’STORE is more accessible to home cooks.

Does CHEF’STORE offer delivery?

Some locations offer delivery through online ordering. Check the CHEF’STORE Online Ordering page for availability in your area.

Bottom line: The implication: the FAQ addresses common doubts, reinforcing the store’s accessibility.