Shoppers don’t need a membership card – or a restaurant business – to stock up at Richland’s CHEF’STORE.

The warehouse-style store at 1939 Fowler St. has evolved in recent years to serve not just professional chefs and restaurant owners, but everyday home cooks looking for bulk deals and specialty ingredients.

US Foods’ CHEF’STORE concept is one that keeps its customer base broadly inclusive. Despite the name, CHEF’STORE welcomes customers of all stripes: restaurant professionals, small food service business owners and home cooks alike.

“Our mission at CHEF’STORE is to inspire local food communities through value, service and selection,” said Erin Walton, president of US Foods’ CHEF’STORE division, noting stores carry “a wide range of quality products for kitchens of all sizes.”

It sells fresh produce, meat, dairy, beverages, restaurant equipment, catering essentials, janitorial supplies and other restaurant necessities.

CHEF’STORE at 1939 Fowler St. has evolved in recent years to serve not just professional chefs and restaurant owners, but everyday home cooks looking for bulk deals and specialty ingredients. 

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Courtesy CHEF’STORE

Product selection

The 21,600-square-foot Richland store has long been popular with Tri-City restaurateurs, though everyday shoppers may not know it’s there since it is tucked into a cul de sac at the end of Fowler, between Cost Less Carpet and the strip mall that’s home to Western Restaurant Supply and the Rock Shop climbing gym. The back of the store faces Highway 240.

“We’re especially proud of our fresh produce and our butcher’s selection of high-quality beef, pork and poultry,” Walton said.

Through its website, customers can shop online and pick up their orders at the store. Most locations also offer delivery via Instacart, Uber Eats or DoorDash.

“Many customers leverage CHEF’STORE as a first option for quick, flexible and cost‑effective product purchases or replenishments,” Walton said, adding the store is also great for between-delivery replenishments.

The Richland store, managed by Larry Covey for 25 years, employs just under 20 people.

Ownership change

Formerly Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice, the store came under new ownership five years ago and was rebranded to CHEF’STORE as a part of a larger acquisition by US Foods involving 72 Smart & Final warehouse stores across the United States.

Rosemont, Illinois-based US Foods is a food service distributor partnering with about 300,000 restaurants and food service operators across the country. The company’s semitrucks can be spotted around town making deliveries to local eateries and other food service providers.

US Foods operates 27 CHEF’STOREs in Washington state and 97 nationwide.

“Since 1955, CHEF’STORE has focused on delivering high-quality products with convenience and accessibility at the forefront,” Walton said, adding that one of the store’s core values is offering competitive prices without requiring a membership.

Traditionally, the cash-and-carry business model touted by the former owners catered to business owners, sometimes exclusively.

Over time, elements of warehouse-style stores – bulk quantities, discounted prices and simple payment systems – have been adapted by retailers such as Costco and WinCo to appeal to everyday shoppers.

Departing from the cash and carry concept, CHEF’STORE accepts all standard forms of payment – cash, check, debit and all major credit cards. The only payment method it does not accept is EBT or SNAP benefits.

Rob Stevenson, district manager, said CHEF’STORE is proud to be a part of the Richland community. “We are excited to support our valued customers from food service operators to local chefs and food enthusiasts across the metro area. At CHEF’STORE we take great pride in serving our community as we help our customers find exactly what they are looking for, at the right price, seven days a week.”

The CHEF’STORE at 1939 Fowler St. in Richland serves restaurant professionals and home cooks alike with bulk ingredients and specialty items – and no membership is required.

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Photo by Nathan Finke

 

US Foods acquisition

The US Foods acquisition came with some physical updates to the Richland store.

“(The) Richland location underwent a major refurbishment in 2022, which included an upgraded cooler system with additional space to merchandise a wider variety of products, a full store reflow to maximize product assortment, a remapped checkout area to streamline the customer experience, and fully refurbished restrooms to elevate overall customer satisfaction,” Walton said.

Updated pricing strategies and the introduction of US Foods-exclusive brands expanded product assortment on shelves.

Some longtime Cash and Carry shoppers may wonder why the Richland store became a CHEF’STORE while the Kennewick URM Cash and Carry store at 525 N. Fruitland St. didn’t. That is because URM is a separate chain owned by a different parent company.

Customer service

In addition to curating products tailored based on local needs and customer feedback, CHEF’STORE also invests in its store staff to enhance customer experience.

“I believe customers choose CHEF’STORE not only for our extensive selection of competitively priced restaurant food supplies, chef‑grade products and everyday essentials, but because our service is unmatched,” Walton said.

Employees are encouraged to grow within the company and build a lasting career.

“Many leaders start as sales associates … Our store managers are top‑level food service experts, focused on leading a positive culture and delivering exceptional experiences every day,” Walton said.

Walton said support for its shoppers doesn’t end at the register, pointing to CHEF’STORE’s online resources like its Instagram page and blog at chefstore.com, which offers information for restaurants and home cooks, as well as recipes.
 
CHEF’STORE: 1939 Fowler St., Richland, 509-374-3905, chefstore.com. Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.