USFD

Consumer Defensive

US Foods Holding Corp. · Food Distribution · $18B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
43.9
Below Average

US Foods Holding Corp. scores 43.9/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Defensive Sector
USFD
43.9
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is US Foods Holding Corp.?

US Foods Holding Corp. is one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, supplying restaurants, healthcare facilities, hotels, and institutions with a broad range of food and non-food products. Headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, the company operates an extensive national distribution network.

US Foods markets and distributes fresh, frozen, and dry food products alongside non-food supplies to a wide range of foodservice customers across the United States. Its customer base spans independent restaurants, national chains, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, colleges, government organizations, and retail locations. Revenue is generated through broadline distribution facilities and cash-and-carry locations, with the company acting as a critical supply-chain link between food producers and the businesses that serve consumers.

US Foods Holding Corp. was incorporated in 2007 and adopted its current name in February 2016, with headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois.

  • Fresh, frozen, and dry food product distribution
  • Non-food supplies for foodservice operators
  • Broadline distribution through regional facilities
  • Cash-and-carry locations for smaller operators
  • Supply solutions for healthcare and institutional customers

Is USFD a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates USFD as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful challenges across several key pillars.

Valuation stands out as the relative bright spot in USFD's profile, rated Good — suggesting the market may not be pricing in excessive optimism. The Quality and Growth pillars both land at Neutral, indicating the business generates adequate but unremarkable results on those dimensions compared to broader peers.

The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation in a commoditized distribution industry and a risk profile that warrants careful attention from investors.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does USFD pay dividends?

No — US Foods Holding Corp. does not currently pay a dividend.

US Foods does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive distributor operating in a low-margin industry, retaining cash to fund network expansion, fleet investment, and debt management is a common capital-allocation approach. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment of USFD relative to dividend-paying peers.

When does USFD report earnings?

US Foods reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

The company's recent results reflect the dynamics of a large-scale distribution business — revenue is tied closely to foodservice industry volumes and food cost inflation, both of which can shift meaningfully quarter to quarter. Operational efficiency and customer retention remain central themes in each reporting period.

For the most recent quarter's results and upcoming reporting dates, visit US Foods' investor relations page directly.

USFD Price History

+135.5% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in US Foods Holding Corp.?

$
Today it would be worth
$24,085
That's a +141% total return, or +19.2% annualized.

Based on US Foods Holding Corp.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

USFD Long-term Outlook

With Growth rated Neutral and Risk rated Weak, USFD's fundamental outlook is mixed. The foodservice distribution market offers steady demand tied to restaurant and institutional activity, but thin margins and high leverage leave limited buffer against cost pressures or volume slowdowns. Valuation rated Good may reflect that the market has already discounted some of these headwinds, but the Weak Moat rating suggests durable outperformance is difficult to sustain in a highly competitive distribution landscape.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of the independent restaurant customer base through targeted sales efforts
  • Operational scale advantages from a broad national distribution footprint
  • Recovery and growth in foodservice volumes as dining and institutional activity remains resilient

Key risks

  • Weak competitive moat in a commoditized industry with low switching costs
  • Elevated financial risk profile, including debt levels typical of leveraged distribution businesses
  • Margin sensitivity to food cost inflation and fuel price volatility

USFD vs Peers

US Foods competes in the highly consolidated US foodservice distribution sector alongside a small number of large national and specialty players.

PFGCUSFD scores higher
Performance Food Group Company

Performance Food Group has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand its broadline and specialty distribution reach, making it a fast-growing rival to USFD.

SYYUSFD scores lower
Sysco Corporation

Sysco is the dominant player in US foodservice distribution, operating at a scale that gives it procurement and logistics advantages that smaller peers find difficult to match.

UNFIUSFD scores higher
United Natural Foods, Inc.

United Natural Foods focuses more heavily on natural, organic, and specialty food distribution, serving a somewhat different customer mix than USFD's broad foodservice base.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does US Foods do?

US Foods distributes fresh, frozen, and dry food products along with non-food supplies to foodservice customers across the United States. Its customers include independent restaurants, national chains, hospitals, hotels, colleges, and government organizations. The company operates broadline distribution centers and cash-and-carry locations nationwide.

Does USFD pay dividends?

US Foods does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital to manage its distribution network, service debt, and invest in operational improvements. Investors seeking income should note this when comparing USFD to dividend-paying alternatives in the consumer defensive sector.

When does USFD report earnings?

US Foods reports financial results on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US public company practice. For confirmed dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of the US Foods website directly.

Is USFD a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates USFD as Below Average, driven by Weak scores on the Moat and Risk pillars. While Valuation is rated Good and Quality and Growth are Neutral, the overall profile suggests investors should weigh the competitive and financial risks carefully. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is USFD overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for USFD is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not trading at a significant premium relative to its fundamentals. However, a favorable valuation rating alone does not offset the Weak Moat and Risk profiles that characterize the broader UQS assessment.

How does USFD compare to its competitors?

USFD operates in a sector dominated by Sysco, which holds significant scale advantages. Performance Food Group has been expanding aggressively, while United Natural Foods targets a more specialized product mix. US Foods competes primarily on service, customer relationships, and regional distribution strength rather than price or product exclusivity.

What is USFD's market cap bracket?

US Foods is classified as a large-cap company, reflecting its position as one of the major players in US foodservice distribution. Large-cap status generally indicates greater liquidity and institutional coverage compared to smaller peers in the sector.

Who founded US Foods?

US Foods traces its roots through a long history of foodservice distribution companies and mergers. The current holding company structure was incorporated in 2007, with the US Foods Holding Corp. name adopted in 2016. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's public filings and investor relations materials.

Is USFD a long-term quality indicator?

As a long-term quality indicator, USFD's UQS profile raises some caution. The Weak Moat rating suggests the business lacks strong structural advantages that would protect returns over time, and the Weak Risk rating adds further uncertainty. Quality and Growth at Neutral indicate the business is functional but not distinguished among peers.

What is the main competitive advantage of US Foods?

US Foods competes primarily through its broad national distribution network, deep customer relationships, and the breadth of its product catalog. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates these advantages as Weak, reflecting that foodservice distribution is a commoditized industry where switching costs for customers tend to be relatively low.

What sector does USFD belong to?

US Foods is classified in the Consumer Defensive sector, reflecting the relatively stable demand for food distribution services regardless of broader economic cycles. Foodservice volumes can fluctuate with consumer spending, but the essential nature of food supply provides some baseline resilience.

Is USFD a growth stock or value stock?

Based on the UQS pillar profile, USFD does not fit neatly into either category. Growth is rated Neutral, indicating modest rather than high-velocity expansion, while Valuation is rated Good — suggesting the stock may lean toward value territory. It is neither a high-growth nor a deeply discounted opportunity by UQS measures.

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Pro Analysis

USFD — Score History

35404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 8 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 7, 202642.145.433.049.019.365.50.0
Apr 26, 202642.145.433.049.019.365.1+0.2
Apr 19, 202641.945.433.049.019.364.3-0.2
Apr 18, 202642.145.433.049.019.365.7-2.0
Apr 12, 202644.145.433.049.019.378.7-0.1
Apr 6, 202644.245.433.049.019.379.2+3.2
Apr 5, 202641.045.433.040.119.370.0-3.1
Apr 2, 202644.145.433.049.019.378.7

USFD — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

45.8/100 (25%)

US Foods Holding Corp. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationModerate

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

48.7/100 (20%)

US Foods Holding Corp. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

21.0/100 (15%)

US Foods Holding Corp. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

75.6/100 (15%)

US Foods Holding Corp. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorModerate

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

33/100 (25%)

US Foods Holding Corp. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for USFD.

Score Composition

Quality
45.8×25%11.4
Growth
48.7×20%9.7
Risk
21.0×15%3.1
Valuation
75.6×15%11.3
Moat
33.0×25%8.3
Total
43.9Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the USFD UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for US Foods Holding Corp. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses US Foods Holding Corp.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether US Foods Holding Corp. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.