US Foods Accelerates Sales Growth as Case Volumes Rise

The Tip Desk · August 6, 2026 · 2 min read

The food distributor reported second-quarter net sales of $10.5 billion, a 4.5% increase from a year earlier.

US Foods Holding (USFD), the food distributor, reported second-quarter net sales of $10.5 billion. The result marked an acceleration in growth for the company, as sales rose 4.5% year-over-year compared to 2.8% growth in the first quarter.

Growth was supported by a steady increase in volume across its customer base. Total case volume increased 1.9% year-over-year, up from 1.4% in the first quarter and 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company saw particular strength in the independent restaurant segment, where case volume growth accelerated to 5.1%, compared to 4.6% in the first quarter and 4.1% in the prior year's final quarter.

Profitability metrics also trended upward during the period. Adjusted EBITDA grew 10.2% to $604 million, an acceleration from the 6.2% growth reported in the first quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 21.0% to $1.44, compared to a 14.7% increase in the previous quarter.

Margins expanded despite a rise in input costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin grew by 29 basis points to 5.7%, while net income margin increased 39 basis points to 2.6%. This net margin increase reversed a 2 basis point decline to 1.2% seen in the first quarter. During the same period, food cost inflation rose to 2.3%, up from 1.0% in the first quarter and 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

US Foods reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance. The company expects net sales growth between 4% and 6%, adjusted EBITDA growth between 9% and 13%, and adjusted diluted EPS growth between 18% and 24%.

The company increased its return of capital to shareholders, with share repurchases totaling $374 million in the second quarter, up from $125 million in the first quarter. The net leverage ratio improved to 2.6x at the end of the quarter, compared to 2.7x at the end of fiscal year 2025.