The management team of Chef Works (the “Company”), a third-generation family-owned and operated global leader in the design, development, and distribution of premium culinary and hospitality apparel, has completed a management buy-in, with financing provided by the Kirsh Group of Companies.
Chef Works traces its roots to the 1960s, when Joseph Gross first launched his workwear and manufacturing business in South Africa. Today, Chef Works is the dominant market leader in the U.S., with an increasingly strong position abroad, servicing six continents and over 65 countries. With a reputation for leading the industry in product design and innovation, Chef Works offers competitively-priced, on-trend products rooted in functionality and performance. The expansive product portfolio, including chef coats, pants, aprons, shirts, and headwear, outfits employees both in Back of House (chefs and others in the kitchen) and Front of House (servers, bartenders, maintenance staff, and others outside the kitchen).
Chef Works is trusted by the largest business services, uniform and foodservice providers, global Fortune 500 companies, restaurant and hospitality chains, independent single- and multi-door accounts, online and brick-and- mortar retailers, and international distributors. In total Chef Works services tens of thousands of customers, and also sells product through its own DTC and B2B e-commerce channels. The Company’s success has resulted in a transformation of the industry, helping turn historically commoditized products into premium, branded items highly sought after by both chefs and other industry participants, particularly at a time when chefs have begun forging their own identities, serving as the focal point of culinary experiences.
The Company is well diversified across both industries and geographies, catering to the foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, education, and assisted living sectors.
Deal closed in October 2020.
The Sage Group served as exclusive financial advisor to Chef Works.