Company: CHEF
Filing Date: 2025-03-26
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001517175-25-000003
Chunk: 22

Company: Chefs' Warehouse, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-03-26
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 22
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 chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Mr. J. Pappas, the Company’s vice chairman, chief operating officer and one of its directors, and which is deemed to be an affiliate of these individuals. The amount paid in connection with the lease of this facility was $673,575 for fiscal 2024.

Employment of Family Members

The Company employs Constantine Papataros, Mr. J. Pappas’ brother-in-law, Aristotle Pappas, Mr. J. Pappas’ son, and Branden Komm, Mr. C. Pappas’ son-in-law. The compensation paid to each during fiscal 2024 was consistent with that of other employees at the same level.

The Company has hired Architexture Studios, Inc. to provide design consultancy services and paid them approximately $168,000 for their services in fiscal 2024. Architexture Studios, Inc. is owned by Julie Hardridge, Mr. C. Pappas’ sister-in-law.

Customers

Mr. C. Pappas has served on the board of Hudson National Golf Club since October 20, 2018. The Company sold $292,994 worth of products to that club during fiscal 2024.

Mr. Richard Peretz is a Venture Partner to Playground Global. The Company sold $684,569 worth of products to that firm in fiscal 2024.

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#### Board Leadership Structure
The Board currently combines the roles of chairman of the Board and chief executive officer. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines do not require the chairman of the Board to be independent and do not specify whether the positions of chairman of the Board and chief executive officer must be separated. Considering the Company’s successful performance over extended periods under Mr. C. Pappas’ leadership, the Board believes that the Company benefits from Mr. C. Pappas’ services in both roles. Mr. C. Pappas has served as our chief executive officer since 1985. The Board believes Mr. C. Pappas to be the most qualified to serve as our chairman because he is the director most familiar with the Company’s business and the foodservice distribution industry and as a result is best suited to effectively identify strategic priorities and lead the discussion and execution of strategy. The Board believes the combined position of chairman and chief executive officer promotes a unified direction and leadership for the Board and gives a single, clear focus for the chain of command for our organization, strategy, and business