SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

|X|  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the period ended April 3, 2004

or

|_|  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File No. 1-9973

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Delaware	36-3352497
(State or Other Jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois	60120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone No., including Area Code (847) 741-3300

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES |X|   NO |_|

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES |_|   NO |X|

As of May 14, 2004, there were 9,222,250 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTER ENDED APRIL 3, 2004

INDEX

Description			Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	1
		April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS	2
		April 3, 2004 and March 29, 2003
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	3
		April 3, 2004 and March 29, 2003
		NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	4
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (unaudited)	14
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	23
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	27
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
	Item 2.	Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	28
	Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K	28

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Apr. 3, 2004					Jan. 3, 2004
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,073				$	3,652
Accounts receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of  $3,172 and $3,146			25,446					23,318
Inventories, net			28,904					25,382
Prepaid expenses and other			1,220					1,776
Current deferred taxes			12,907					12,839
Total current assets			71,550					66,967
Property, plant and equipment, net of  accumulated depreciation of $29,886 and $29,146			24,132					24,921
Goodwill			74,761					74,761
Other intangibles			26,300					26,300
Other assets			1,430					1,671
Total assets		$	198,173				$	194,620
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt		$	15,975				$	14,500
Accounts payable			15,455					11,901
Accrued expenses			34,899					37,076
Total current liabilities			66,329					63,477
Long-term debt			37,675					42,000
Long-term deferred tax liability			8,264					8,264
Other non-current liabilities			18,042					18,789
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued			—					—
Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 11,269,521 and 11,257,021 issued
in 2004 and 2003, respectively			113					113
Paid-in capital			55,365					55,279
Treasury stock at cost; 2,047,271 shares in 2004 and 2003			(12,463	)				(12,463	)
Retained earnings			27,061					21,470
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(2,213	)				(2,309	)
Total stockholders’ equity			67,863					62,090
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	198,173				$	194,620

See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	Apr. 3, 2004					Mar. 29, 2003
Net sales		$	60,732				$	54,767
Cost of sales			37,556					35,715
Gross profit			23,176					19,052
Selling and distribution expenses			7,376					7,162
General and administrative expenses			5,696					5,483
Income from operations			10,104					6,407
Net interest expense and deferred financing amortization			897					1,714
Gain on acquisition financing derivatives			(2	)				(69	)
Other expense, net			194					135
Earnings before income taxes			9,015					4,627
Provision for income taxes			3,424					2,018
Net earnings		$	5,591				$	2,609
Net earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.61				$	0.29
Diluted		$	0.56				$	0.28
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic			9,219					9,028
Dilutive stock options			749					276
Diluted			9,968					9,304

See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	Apr. 3, 2004					Mar. 29, 2003
Cash flows from operating activities-
Net earnings		$	5,591				$	2,609
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization			966					1,021
Deferred taxes			(68	)				1,826
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments			(2	)				(69	)
Unpaid interest on seller notes(1)			—					240
Changes in assets and liabilities-
Accounts receivable, net			(2,128	)				(415	)
Inventories, net			(3,522	)				(2,598	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			691					71
Accounts payable			3,554					(526	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			(2,826	)				502
Net cash provided by operating activities			2,256					2,661
Cash flows from investing activities-
Net additions to property and equipment			(71	)				(182	)
Acquisition of Blodgett			(1,000	)				—
Net cash (used in) investing activities			(1,071	)				(182	)
Cash flows from financing activities-
Proceeds under revolving credit facilities, net			1,400					—
Net repayments under senior secured bank notes			(3,250	)				(3,000	)
Repayments of foreign bank loan			—					(600	)
Other financing activities, net			86					9
Net cash (used in) financing activities			(1,764	)				(3,591	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents			—					(1	)
Changes in cash and cash equivalents-
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(579	)				(1,113	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			3,652					8,378
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter		$	3,073				$	7,265
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid		$	885				$	904
Income taxes paid		$	649				$	10

(1)	Represents an increase in principal balance of debt associated with interest paid in kind.

See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 3, 2004
(Unaudited)

1)         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby Corporation (the “company”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements are unaudited and certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. The company has made certain reclassifications to the fiscal year 2003 financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the company’s 2003 Form 10-K/A.

In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004, and the results of operations for the three months ended April 3, 2004 and March 29, 2003 and cash flows for the three months ended April 3, 2004 and March 29, 2003.

2)         New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 132 “Employers’ Disclosure about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” This statement retains the disclosures previously required by SFAS No. 132 but adds additional disclosure requirements about the assets, obligations, cash flows and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. It also calls for the required information to be provided separately for pension plans and for other postretirement benefit plans. The interim-period disclosures required by this statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The company has included the required interim period disclosures in footnote 11.

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3)        Other Comprehensive Income

The company reports changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investment by owners and distribution to owners, in accordance with SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income.”

Components of other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	Apr. 3, 2004					Mar. 29, 2003
Net earnings		$	5,591				$	2,609
Cumulative translation adjustment			(21	)				33
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap			65					(98	)
Comprehensive income		$	5,635				$	2,544

Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of minimum pension liability of $2.1 million as of April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004, foreign currency translation adjustments of $0.1 million as of April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004 and an unrealized loss on a interest rate swap of $0.2 million at April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004.

4)        Inventories

Inventories are composed of material, labor and overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs for inventory at the company’s manufacturing facilities in New Hampshire and Vermont, representing approximately 40% of the company’s total inventory, have been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Costs for all other inventory have been determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The company estimates reserves for inventory obsolescence and shrinkage based on its judgment of future realization.

Inventories at April 3, 2004 and January 3, 2004 are as follows:

	Apr. 3, 2004				Jan. 3, 2004
	(In thousands)
Raw materials and parts	$	5,120			$	3,798
Work-in-process		4,619				5,288
Finished goods		18,686				15,667
		28,425				24,753
LIFO adjustment		479				629
	$	28,904			$	25,382

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5)        Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

	Apr. 3, 2004			Jan. 3, 2004
	(In thousands)
Accrued warranty		11,519		$	11,563
Accrued payroll and related expenses		5,724			7,094
Accrued customer rebates		3,467			6,935
Accrued product liability and workers comp		3,968			3,398
Accrued income taxes		2,319			524
Accrued commissions		1,505			1,466
Accrued severance and plant closures		892			1,092
Other accrued expenses		5,505			5,004
	$	34,899		$	37,076

6)        Warranty Costs

In the normal course of business the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.

A rollforward of the warranty reserve is as follows:

	Apr. 3, 2004			Mar. 29, 2003
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	11,563		$	10,447
Warranty expense		2,113			2,844
Warranty claims		(2,157	)		(2,317	)
Ending balance	$	11,519		$	10,974

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7)        Acquisition Integration

On December 21, 2001 the company established reserves through purchase accounting associated with severance related obligations and facility exit costs related to the acquired Blodgett business operations.

Reserves for estimated severance obligations were established in conjunction with reorganization initiatives established during 2001 and completed during the first half of 2002. During the first quarter of 2002, the company reduced headcount at the acquired Blodgett operations by 123 employees. This headcount reduction included most functional areas of the company and included a reorganization of the executive management structure. During the second quarter of 2002, the company further reduced headcount at the Blodgett operations by 30 employees in conjunction with the consolidation and exit of two manufacturing facilities. Production for the Blodgett combi-oven, conveyor oven, and deck oven lines were moved from two facilities located in Williston and Shelburne, Vermont into existing manufacturing facilities in Burlington, Vermont and Elgin, Illinois. The second quarter headcount reductions predominately related to the manufacturing function.

Reserves for facility closure costs predominately relate to lease obligations for two manufacturing facilities that were exited in 2001 and 2002. During the second quarter of 2001, prior to the acquisition, reserves were established for lease obligations associated with a manufacturing facility in Quakertown, Pennsylvania that was exited when production at this facility was relocated to an existing facility in Bow, New Hampshire. The lease associated with the exited facility extends through December 11, 2014. The facility is currently subleased for a portion of the lease term through July 2006. During the second quarter of 2002, the company exited leased facilities in Shelburne, Vermont in conjunction with the company’s manufacturing consolidation initiatives. The lease associated with the exited facility extends through December 11, 2014. This facility has not been subleased although the company is performing an active search for subtenants. Future lease obligations under these facilities amount to approximately $12.1 million. The remaining reserve balance is reflected net of anticipated sublease income.

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The forecast of sublease income could differ from actual amounts, which are subject to the occupancy by a subtenant and a negotiated sublease rental rate. If the company’s estimates or underlying assumptions change in the future, the company would be required to adjust the reserve amount accordingly.

A summary of the reserve balance activity is as follows (in thousands):

	Balance Jan. 3, 2004			Cash Payments					Balance Apr. 3, 2004
Severance obligations	$	15			$	(4	)		$	11
Facility closure and lease obligations		8,649				(363	)			8,286
Total	$	8,664			$	(367	)		$	8,297

All actions pertaining to the company’s integration initiatives have been completed. At this time, management believes the remaining reserve balance is adequate to cover the remaining costs identified at April 3, 2004.

8)        Financial Instruments

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. SFAS No. 133, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. The statement requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify as a hedge must be adjusted to fair value in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge under SFAS No. 133, changes in the fair value will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments or recognized in other accumulated comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a hedge’s change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.

Foreign Exchange: The company has entered into derivative instruments, principally forward contracts to reduce exposures pertaining to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As of April 3, 2004 the company had forward contracts to purchase $5.1 million U.S. Dollars with various foreign currencies, all of which mature in the next fiscal quarter. The fair value of these forward contracts were approximately $(0.1) million at the end of the quarter.

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Interest rate swap: On January 11, 2002, in accordance with the senior bank agreement, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $20.0 million to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreement swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 4.03% and is in effect through December 31, 2004. On June 30, 2002, the company designated this swap as a cash flow hedge. The changes in the fair value of the swap that are effectively hedged are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income, while the ineffective portion of the changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. As of April 3, 2004, the fair value of this instrument was $(0.4) million. The change in fair value of this swap agreement in the first quarter of 2004 was $(0.1) million and was recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the swap recorded in earnings was not material.

On February 9, 2003 in accordance with the senior bank agreement, the company entered into another interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $10.0 million to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreement swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 2.36% and is in effect through December 30, 2005. The company designated the swap as a cash flow hedge at its inception and all changes in the fair value of the swap are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of April 3, 2004, the fair value of this instrument was less than ($0.1) million. The change in fair value of this swap agreement in the first quarter of 2004 was a loss of less than $0.1 million.

9)        Stock-Based Compensation

As permitted under SFAS No. 123: “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, the company has elected to follow APB Opinion No. 25: “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” in accounting for stock-based awards to employees and directors. Under APB No. 25, because the exercise price of the company’s stock options is equal to or greater than the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized in the company’s financial statements for all periods presented.

Pro forma information regarding net earnings and earnings per share is required by SFAS No. 123. This information is required to be determined as if the company had accounted for its employee and director stock options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of that statement.

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The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the company’s options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its options.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period. The company’s pro forma net earnings and per share data utilizing a fair value based method is as follows:

		Apr. 3, 2004					Mar. 29, 2003
		(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income – as reported			$	5,591			$	2,609
Less:	Stock-based employee
	compensation expense, net of taxes			(282	)			(95	)
Net income – pro forma			$	5,309			$	2,514
Earnings per share – as reported:
	Basic		$	0.61			$	0.29
	Diluted			0.56				0.28
Earnings per share – pro forma:
	Basic		$	0.58			$	0.28
	Diluted			0.53				0.27

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10)      Segment Information

The company operates in two reportable operating segments defined by management reporting structure and operating activities.

The worldwide manufacturing divisions operate through the Cooking Systems Group. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in Illinois, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Vermont and the Philippines. This business segment supports four major product groups, including conveyor oven equipment, core cooking equipment, counterline cooking equipment, and international specialty equipment. Principal product lines of the conveyor oven product group include Middleby Marshall ovens, Blodgett ovens and CTX ovens. Principal product lines of the core cooking equipment product group include the Southbend product line of ranges, steamers, convection ovens, broilers and steam cooking equipment, the Blodgett product lines of ranges, convection and combi ovens, MagiKitch’n charbroilers and catering equipment and the Pitco Frialator product line of fryers. The counterline cooking and warming equipment product group includes toasters, hot food servers, foodwarmers and griddles distributed under the Toastmaster brand name. The international specialty equipment product group is primarily comprised of food preparation tables, undercounter refrigeration systems, ventilation systems and component parts for the U.S. manufacturing operations.

The International Distribution Division provides integrated sales, export management, distribution and installation services through its operations in China, India, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. The division sells the company’s product lines and certain non-competing complementary product lines throughout the world. For a local country distributor or dealer, the company is able to provide a centralized source of foodservice equipment with complete export management and product support services.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The company evaluates individual segment performance based on operating income. Management believes that intersegment sales are made at established arms-length transfer prices.

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The following table summarizes the results of operations for the company’s business segments(1)(in thousands):

	Cooking Systems Group			International Distribution					Corporate and Other(2)			Eliminations(3)					Total
Three months ended April 3, 2004
Net sales	$	58,610			$	9,787			$	—			$	(7,665	)		$	60,732
Operating income (loss)		11,768				416				(1,930	)			(150	)			10,104
Depreciation expense		891				33				(65	)			—				859
Capital expenditures		14				48				9				—				71
Total assets		174,652				20,558				13,945				(10,982	)			198,173
Long-lived assets(4)		123,032				390				3,201				—				126,623
Three months ended March 29, 2003
Net sales	$	53,614			$	8,857			$	—			$	(7,704	)		$	54,767
Operating income (loss)		8,255				284				(1,682	)			(450	)			6,407
Depreciation expense		950				39				(79	)			—				910
Capital expenditures		225				(43	)			—				—				182
Total assets		185,605				22,144				10,359				(10,982	)			207,126
Long-lived assets(4)		126,001				375				3,145				—				129,521

(1)	Non-operating expenses are not allocated to the operating segments. Non-operating expenses consist of interest expense and deferred financing amortization, gains and losses on acquisition financing derivatives, and other income and expenses items outside of income from operations.
(2)	Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations.
(3)	Includes elimination of intercompany sales, profit in inventory and intercompany receivables. Intercompany sale transactions are predominantly from the Cooking Systems Group to the International Distribution Division.
(4)	Long-lived assets of the Cooking Systems Group includes assets located in the Philippines which amounted to $2,327 and $2,542 in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Net sales by major geographic region, including those sales from the Cooking Systems Group direct to international customers, were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	Apr. 3, 2004			Mar. 29, 2003
United States and Canada	$	49,703		$	44,302
Asia		4,024			4,081
Europe and Middle East		5,483			5,097
Latin America		1,522			1,287
Net sales	$	60,732		$	54,767

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11)      Employee Benefit Plans

The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2002 and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2002 upon reaching retirement age. The employees participating in the defined benefit plan were enrolled in a newly established 401K savings plan on July 1, 2002. The defined benefit plan continues to be funded in accordance with provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Company funding contributions amounted to $280,000 in fiscal 2003 and $377,000 in fiscal 2002. The anticipated minimum funding requirement for fiscal 2004 is approximately $284,545 of which $54,127 was funded during the first quarter of 2004.

The company also maintains a retirement benefit agreement with its Chairman. The retirement benefits are based upon a percentage of the Chairman’s final base salary. Additionally, the company maintains a retirement plan for non-employee directors. The plan provides for an annual benefit upon a change in control of the company or retirement from the Board of Directors at age 70, equal to 100% of the director’s last annual retainer, payable for a number of years equal to the director’s years of service up to a maximum of 10 years. Company funding contributions are made at the discretion of the board of directors in consideration of the plan requirements and company’s cash flows. Funding contributions amounted to $1,007,000 in fiscal 2003 and $16,000 in fiscal 2002. Funding in the first quarter of 2004 amounted to $800,000.

The net pension expense for the first quarter of 2004 for these plans were as follows:

	Union Plan			Directors Plans
Service cost	$	—		$	71,697
Interest on benefit obligations		60,816			85,129
Return on assets	(70,158		)		—
Net amortization and deferral		32,956			100,148
Net pension expense	$	23,614		$	256,974

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Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Unaudited).

Informational Note

This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions readers that these projections are based upon future results or events and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors which could cause such results or events to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be deemed to have been made in this report, or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the company. Such factors include, but are not limited to, volatility in earnings resulting from goodwill impairment losses which may occur irregularly and in varying amounts; variability in financing costs; quarterly variations in operating results; dependence on key customers; international exposure; foreign exchange and political risks affecting international sales; changing market conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timely development and market acceptance of the company’s products; the availability and cost of raw materials; and other risks detailed herein and from time-to-time in the company’s SEC filings, including the 2003 report on Form 10-K.

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Net Sales Summary
(dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	Apr. 3, 2004					Mar. 29, 2003
	Sales			Percent		Sales			Percent
Business Divisions
Cooking Systems Group:
Core cooking equipment	$	42,678		70.3		$	38,054		69.5
Conveyor oven equipment		11,710		19.3			11,209		20.5
Counterline cooking equipment		2,572		4.2			2,355		4.3
International specialty equipment		1,649		2.7			1,996		3.6
Total Cooking Systems Group		58,609		96.5			53,614		97.9
International Distribution (1)		9,787		16.1			8,857		16.2
Intercompany sales (2)		(7,664	)	(12.6	)		(7,704	)	(14.1	)
Total	$	60,732		100.0		$	54,767		100.0

(1)	Consists of sales of products manufactured by Middleby and products manufactured by third parties.
(2)	Represents the elimination of sales amongst the Cooking Systems Group and from the Cooking Systems Group to the International Distribution Division.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of earnings items as a percentage of net sales for the periods.

	Three months ended
	Apr. 3, 2004			Mar. 29, 2003
Net sales	100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales	61.8			65.2
Gross profit	38.2			34.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses	21.6			23.1
Income from operations	16.6			11.7
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net	1.5			3.1
Gain on acquisition financings derivatives	(0.0	)		(0.1	)
Other expense, net	0.3			0.3
Earnings before income taxes	14.8			8.4
Provision for income taxes	5.6			3.6
Net earnings	9.2	%		4.8	%

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Three Months Ended April 3, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 29, 2003

NET SALES. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $60.7 million as compared to $54.8 million in the first quarter of 2003.

Net sales at the Cooking Systems Group amounted to $58.6 million in the first quarter of 2004 as compared to $53.6 million in the prior year quarter.

• Core cooking equipment sales increased by $4.6 million to $42.7 million from $38.1 million, primarily due to increased convection oven, fryer and cooking range sales resulting from new product introductions and improved market conditions.
  

• Conveyor oven equipment sales increased $0.5 million to $11.7 million from $11.2 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in conveyor oven sales resulted from increased parts sales and higher average prices on equipment sales.
  
  
• Counterline cooking equipment sales increased to $2.6 million from $2.4 million in the prior year.
  
  
• International specialty equipment sales decreased to $1.7 million compared to $2.0 million in the prior year quarter due to lower purchases from Philippine restaurant chains.

Net sales at the International Distribution Division increased by $0.9 million to $9.8 million, driven by increased sales into the United Kingdom due to greater market penetration and increased sales into Latin America due to improving economies within the region.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $23.2 million from $19.1 million in the prior year period. The gross margin rate was 38.2% in the quarter as compared to 34.8% in the prior year quarter. The increase in the overall gross margin rate is largely attributable to:

• Increased sales volumes that benefited manufacturing efficiencies and provided for greater leverage of fixed manufacturing costs.
  
  
• Improved sales mix of products driven by higher margins on newly introduced products which tend to be more cost efficient to manufacture due to standardization of product platforms and improvement in product design resulting in lower warranty costs.
  

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SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased from $12.6 million in the first quarter of 2003 to $13.1 million in the first quarter of 2004 due to increased sales commissions correlated to the higher sales volumes and general inflationary cost increases. As a percentage of net sales operating expenses amounted to 21.6% in the first quarter of 2004 versus 23.1% in the first quarter of 2003 reflecting greater leverage on higher sales volumes.

NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Interest and deferred financing amortization costs decreased to $0.9 million from $1.7 million in the prior year as a result of lower debt balances and lower average interest rates. Other expense was $0.2 million in the current year compared to $0.1 million in the prior year and primarily consists of foreign exchange losses.

INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $3.4 million, at an effective rate of 38%, was recorded during the quarter as compared to a $2.0 million provision at a 44% effective rate in the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter included higher provisions for state tax assessments.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

During the three months ended April 3, 2004, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $0.6 million to $3.1 million at April 3, 2004 from $3.7 million at January 3, 2004. Net borrowings decreased from $56.5 million at January 3, 2004 to $53.7 million at April 3, 2004.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Net cash provided by operating activities after changes in assets and liabilities was $2.3 million as compared to $2.7 million in the prior year period. During the three months ended April 3, 2004, working capital levels increased due to the higher sales volumes and increased seasonal working capital needs, which historically peak in the second quarter. The changes in working capital included a $2.1 million increase in accounts receivable, a $3.5 million increase in inventory and a $3.6 million increase in accounts payable. Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased $2.8 million primarily as a result of the payment of annual rebate programs and incentive programs related to fiscal 2003.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES. During the three months ending April 3, 2004, net cash used in investing activities was $1.1 million. This included $0.1 million of property additions and $1.0 in repayments of principal associated with seller notes due to Maytag related to the 2001 Blodgett acquisition.

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FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Net cash flows used in financing activities were $1.8 million during the three months ending April 3, 2004. This included $3.3 million of scheduled repayments under the senior term loan and $1.4 million of borrowings under the revolving bank facility.

At April 3, 2004, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements. Management believes that future cash flows from operating activities and borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility will provide the company with sufficient financial resources to meet its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt amortization for the foreseeable future.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 132 “Employers’ Disclosure about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” This statement retains the disclosures previously required by SFAS No. 132 but adds additional disclosure requirements about the assets, obligations, cash flows and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. It also calls for the required information to be provided separately for pension plans and for other postretirement benefit plans. The interim-period disclosures required by this statement are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003. The company has included the required interim period disclosures in footnote 11.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

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Property and equipment: Property and equipment are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives based on management’s estimates of the period over which the assets will be utilized to benefit the operations of the company. The useful lives are estimated based on historical experience with similar assets, taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. The company periodically reviews these lives relative to physical factors, economic factors and industry trends. If there are changes in the planned use of property and equipment or if technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expense in future periods.

Long-lived assets: Long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangibles) are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of the company’s long-lived assets, the company considers changes in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors. Estimates of future cash flows are judgments based on the company’s experience and knowledge of operations. These estimates can be significantly impacted by many factors including changes in global and local business and economic conditions, operating costs, inflation, competition, and consumer and demographic trends. If the company’s estimates or the underlying assumptions change in the future, the company may be required to record impairment charges.

Warranty: In the normal course of business the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.

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Lease Obligations: In 2002 and 2001, the company established reserves associated with lease obligations for manufacturing facilities that were exited in conjunction with manufacturing consolidation efforts related to the acquisition of Blodgett. The term of the leases associated with the two facilities in Shelburne, Vermont and Quakertown, Pennsylvania extends through December 2014. The company currently has a subtenant for the Quakertown, Pennsylvania facility for a portion of the lease term. The company is actively searching for a subtenant for the other facility. The recorded reserves are established for the future lease obligations net of an estimate for anticipated sublease income. The forecast of sublease income could differ from actual amounts, which are subject to the occupancy by a subtenant and a negotiated sublease rental rate. If the company’s estimates or underlying assumptions change in the future, the company would be required to adjust the reserve amount accordingly.

Litigation: From time to time, the company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to products, suppliers, employees, customers and competitors. The company maintains insurance to cover product liability, workers compensation, property and casualty, and general liability matters. The company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after assessment of each matter and the related insurance coverage. The required accrual may change in the future due to new developments or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters. The company does not believe that any such matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Income taxes: The company operates in numerous taxing jurisdictions where it is subject to various types of tax, including sales tax and income tax. The company’s tax filings are subject to audits and adjustments. Because of the nature of the company’s operations, the nature of the audit items can be complex, and the objectives of the government auditors can result in a tax on the same transaction or income in more than one state or country. As part of the company’s calculation of the provision for taxes, the company establishes reserves for the amount that it expects to incur as a result of audits. The reserves may change in the future due to new developments related to the various tax matters.

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Contractual Obligations

The company’s contractual cash payment obligations are set forth below (dollars in thousands):

	Long-term Debt			Operating Leases			Idle Facility Leases			Total Contractual Cash Obligations
Less than 1 year	$	15,975		$	724		$	1,123		$	17,822
1-3 years		27,625			1,063			2,184			30,872
4-5 years		10,050			473			2,281			12,804
After 5 years		—			88			6,483			6,571
	$	53,650		$	2,348		$	12,071		$	68,069

Idle facility leases consist of obligations for two manufacturing locations that were exited in conjunction with the company’s manufacturing consolidation efforts. The lease obligations continue through December 2014. The obligations presented above do not reflect any anticipated sublease income from the facilities.

The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2002 and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2002 upon reaching retirement age. The employees participating in the defined benefit plan were enrolled in a newly established 401K savings plan on July 1, 2002. As of January 3, 2004, the unfunded benefit obligation under the pension plan was $0.7 million. The defined benefit plan continues to be funded in accordance with provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Company funding contributions amounted to $280,000 in fiscal 2003 and $377,000 in fiscal 2002. The anticipated minimum funding requirement for fiscal 2004 is approximately $284,545 of which $54,127 was funded during the first quarter of 2004.

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The company also maintains a retirement benefit agreement with its Chairman. The retirement benefits are based upon a percentage of the Chairman’s final base salary. Additionally, the company maintains a retirement plan for non-employee directors. The plan provides for an annual benefit upon a change in control of the company or retirement from the Board of Directors at age 70, equal to 100% of the director’s last annual retainer, payable for a number of years equal to the director’s years of service up to a maximum of 10 years. As of January 3, 2004, the unfunded benefit obligation under these plans amounted to $3.4 million. Company funding contributions are made at the discretion of the board of directors in consideration of the plan requirements and company’s cash flows. Funding contributions amounted to $1,007,000 in fiscal 2003 and $16,000 in fiscal 2002. Funding in the first quarter of 2004 amounted to $800,000.

The company has $1.5 million in outstanding letters of credit, which expire on March 30, 2005 with an automatic one-year renewal, to secure potential obligations under insurance programs.

The company places purchase orders with its suppliers in the ordinary course of business. These purchase orders are generally to fulfill short-term manufacturing requirements of less than 90 days and most are cancelable with a restocking penalty. The company has no long-term purchase contracts or minimum purchase obligations with any supplier.

The company has no activities, obligations or exposures associated with off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

The company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the maturity of the company’s debt obligations.

Twelve Month Period Ending	Fixed Rate Debt			Variable Rate Debt
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2005	$	—		$	15,975
March 31, 2006		—			13,300
March 31, 2007		1,000			13,325
March 31, 2008		—			10,050
March 31, 2009		—			—
	$	1,000		$	52,650

As of April 3, 2004, the company had aggregate borrowings under its senior bank agreement of $52.7 million. Borrowings at April 3, 2004 included a $45.4 million term loan assessed interest at floating rates of 2.5% above LIBOR, a $4.4 million term loan assessed interest at a rate of 3.75% above LIBOR and $2.9 million under the revolving credit facility. At April 3, 2004, the interest rate on the term loans were 3.61% and 4.89%, respectively. The interest rate on the $45.4 million term loan and the revolving credit facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s defined indebtedness ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis. Availability under the aggregate $30.0 million revolving facility is limited to the amount of collateral as defined by the senior bank agreement. At April 3, 2004, the collateral base and borrowing availability amounted to $19.3 million of which $4.4 million was utilized, including $2.9 million in borrowings and $1.5 million in letters of credit. The revolving credit facility is assessed interest at 0.75% above PRIME for short-term borrowings or 2.5% above LIBOR on long-term borrowings. A variable commitment fee, based upon the indebtedness ratio is charged on the unused portion of the line of credit. This variable commitment fee amounted to 0.40% as of April 3, 2004.

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The senior bank facility entered into in December 2002 requires the company to have in effect one or more interest rate protection agreements effectively fixing the interest rates on not less than $20.0 million in principal amount for a period of not less than two years and $10.0 million in principal amount for a period of not less than three years. In January 2002, the company had established an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $20.0 million. This agreement swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 4.03% and is in effect through December 31, 2004. In February 2003, the company entered into another swap agreement with a notional amount of $10.0 million that swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 2.36% and is in effect through December 30, 2005.

As of April 3, 2004 the company had $1.0 million in notes due to Maytag. The notes due to Maytag mature in December 2006 and bear an interest rate of 12.0% payable in cash. Interest on the Maytag notes is assessed semi-annually. The notes become immediately due upon the occurrence of certain material events without the written permission of Maytag, including a change in control, a business acquisition, the acceleration of the senior bank debt, or the issuance of additional debt. The company has the ability to prepay the notes to Maytag without penalty.

The terms of the senior secured credit facility and subordinated note to Maytag limit the paying of dividends, capital expenditures and leases, and require, among other things, a minimum amount, as defined, of stockholders’ equity, and certain ratios of indebtedness and fixed charge coverage. The credit agreement also provides that if a material adverse change in the company’s business operations or conditions occurs, the lender could declare an event of default. Under terms of the agreement a material adverse effect is defined as (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business properties, condition (financial and otherwise) or prospects of the company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the company to perform under the loan agreements and to avoid any event of default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the company of any loan document. At April 3, 2004, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.

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Financing Derivative Instruments

On January 11, 2002, in accordance with the senior bank agreement, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $20.0 million to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreement swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 4.03% and is in effect through December 31, 2004. On June 30, 2002, the company designated this swap as a cash flow hedge. The changes in the fair value of the swap that are effectively hedged are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income, while the ineffective portion of the changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. As of April 3, 2004, the fair value of this instrument was $(0.4) million. The change in fair value of this swap agreement in the first quarter of 2004 was $(0.1) million and was recorded as a component of othercomprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the swap recorded in earnings was not material.

On February 9, 2003 in accordance with the senior bank agreement, the company entered into another interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $10.0 million to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreement swaps one-month LIBOR for a fixed rate of 2.36% and is in effect through December 30, 2005. The company designated the swap as a cash flow hedge at its inception and all changes in the fair value of the swap are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of April 3, 2004, the fair value of this instrument was less than ($0.1) million. The change in fair value of this swap agreement in the first quarter of 2004 was a loss of less than $0.1 million.

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Foreign Exchange Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of less than one year, to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary hedging activities are to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates on intercompany and third party trade receivables and payables. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual balance sheet exposures. The following table summarizes the forward and option purchase contracts outstanding at April 3, 2004, the fair value of these forward contracts were approximately $(0.1) million at the end of the quarter:

Sell			Purchase			Maturity
750,000		Euro	$916,300		U.S. Dollars	April 19, 2004
1,000,000		British Pounds	$1,804,600		U.S. Dollars	April 19, 2004
11,250,000		Mexican Pesos	$1,019,700		U.S. Dollars	April 19, 2004
17,250,000		Taiwan Dollars	$518,100		U.S. Dollars	May 3, 2004
1,000,000,000		Korean Won	$846,300		U.S. Dollars	May 3, 2004

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, the company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There have been no significant changes in the company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls subsequent to the date the company completed its evaluation.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

The company was not required to report the information pursuant to Items 1 through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for the three months ended April 3, 2004, except as follows:

Item 2.  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

c)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the company issued 2,500 shares of the company’s common stock to a division executive and 10,000 shares to a company director pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for $11,250.00 and $75,000.00, respectively. Such options were granted at exercise prices of $4.50 and $7.50 per share, respectively. As certificates for the shares were legended and stop transfer instructions were given to the transfer agent, the issuance of such shares was exempt under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a)	Exhibits – The following Exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit 31.1 – Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2 – Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.3 – Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14 Certification of the Chief Administrative Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1 - Certification by the Principal Executive Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).

Exhibit 32.2 - Certification by the Principal Financial Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).

Exhibit 32.3 - Certification by the Principal Administrative Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).

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b)	Reports on Form 8-K

On February 17, 2004 (date of earliest event reported was February 17, 2004), the company furnished a report on Form 8-K, in response to Item 7, Financial Statements and Exhibits and Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure, announcing the company’s fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2003 results.

On April 27, 2004 (date of earliest event reported was April 27, 2004), the company furnished a report on Form 8-K, in response to Item 7, Financial Statements and Exhibits and Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure, announcing the company’s fiscal first quarter 2004 results.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date May 17, 2004	By:	/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
		Timothy J. FitzGerald Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Selim A. Bassoul, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of The Middleby Corporation;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

     (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

     5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: May 17, 2004

/s/ Selim A. Bassoul

Selim A. Bassoul President and Chief Executive Officer of The Middleby Corporation

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EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Timothy J. Fitzgerald, Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of The Middleby Corporation;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

     (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

     5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: May 17, 2004

/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald

Timothy J. FitzGerald Chief Financial Officer of The Middleby Corporation

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EXHIBIT 31.3

CERTIFICATIONS

I, David B. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer, certify that:

     1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of The Middleby Corporation;

     2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

     3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

     4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

     (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

     (b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

     (c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

     5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

     (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Date: May 17, 2004

/s/ David B. Baker

David B. Baker Chief Administrative Officer of The Middleby Corporation

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CERTIFICATION BY THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(b) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT AND
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

This certification is being furnished pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

I, Selim A. Bassoul, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of The Middleby Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to the best of my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 3, 2004 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: May 17, 2004

	/s/ Selim A. Bassoul
	Selim A. Bassoul

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Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION BY THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER OF
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(b) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT AND
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

This certification is being furnished pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

I, Timothy J. FutzGerald, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of The Middleby Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to the best of my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 3, 2004 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: May 17, 2004

	/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
	Timothy J. FitzGerald

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Exhibit 32.3

CERTIFICATION BY THE PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(b) UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT AND
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. 1350)

This certification is being furnished pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

I, David B. Baker, Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary (principal administrative officer) of The Middleby Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to the best of my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 3, 2004 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material aspects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: May 17, 2004

	/s/ David B. Baker
	David B. Baker

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