Middleby
An American manufacturer of commercial cooking, food-processing, and residential kitchen equipment.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Middleby is an American equipment manufacturer whose principal business is supplying commercial kitchens, foodservice chains, hospitality operators, institutional kitchens, food processors, and residential consumers. The company traces its origins to 1888, when Joseph Middleby and John Marshall established a Chicago bakery-supply business that produced custom portable ovens. Although the business began with bakery equipment, its later development turned it into a diversified platform spanning commercial cooking, industrial food processing, and residential appliances. The company’s commercial portfolio includes ovens, fryers, grills, ranges, steam and combi equipment, holding and proofing systems, refrigeration-related products, beverage equipment, ice machines, and other systems used in high-volume food preparation. Its brands are used by restaurant chains, independent operators, hotels, schools, hospitals, military and institutional kitchens, convenience stores, bakeries, and food manufacturers. The commercial cooking division has supplied a large proportion of leading United States foodservice chains and also serves international customers through manufacturing, distribution, and sales operations outside the United States. Middleby’s history has been shaped by ownership changes, manufacturing consolidation, international expansion, and an acquisition-led strategy. The original business was sold by Middleby to Marshall in the early twentieth century and remained privately held by Marshall’s descendants for decades. A private company acquired it in 1976, followed by the purchase of TMC Industries Ltd. in 1983. The corporate name changed to The Middleby Corporation in 1985, and headquarters moved to Elgin, Illinois, in the late 1980s. The company expanded its overseas manufacturing and training capabilities during the 1990s, including operations in the Philippines. Middleby became a public company through the over-the-counter market and later obtained an American Stock Exchange listing in 1988. Its first public offering on Nasdaq was completed in September 1997. Selim Bassoul became chief executive officer in January 2001 and led a period characterized by operating rationalization, manufacturing consolidation, product development, international growth, and a substantial expansion of the company’s brand portfolio. Several United States manufacturing sites were closed or consolidated during the early and mid-2000s without the stated loss of product lines or production capacity. Acquisitions have been central to Middleby’s expansion. The company added commercial cooking and speed-cooking capabilities through businesses such as TurboChef and MagiKitch'n, broadened its residential presence through Viking Range and Aga Rangemaster, and expanded into ice, frozen-dessert, beverage, grilling, and food-packaging equipment through Follett Ice, Taylor Company, Kamado Joe, Masterbuilt, Char-Griller, and CP Packaging. Its residential portfolio also includes brands such as AGA, Falcon, La Cornue, Lynx, Marvel, Rayburn, Viking, and Waterford Stanley. These additions have made Middleby more than a single commercial oven manufacturer, although commercial foodservice equipment remains its defining business. The company positions itself around equipment innovation, energy efficiency, automation, cooking speed, labor savings, throughput, and integrated kitchen solutions. Its products are often sold through specialized distributors, dealers, foodservice consultants, chain-restaurant procurement programs, and direct commercial relationships. Middleby has received supplier and export recognition, including awards associated with its international sales and restaurant-chain installations. It has also faced reputational and legal scrutiny over allegations concerning the repairability and reliability of ice-cream machines supplied for McDonald’s restaurants. The Kytch litigation brought public attention to the design, maintenance, and service ecosy…
History
Middleby began in Chicago in 1888 as a supplier to bakeries. Joseph Middleby and John Marshall established the company and concentrated on custom portable ovens for bakery customers. The business later passed from Middleby to Marshall, and it remained privately controlled by Marshall’s descendants until 1976, when it was acquired by a private company. TMC Industries Ltd. purchased the business in 1983. The corporate name was changed to The Middleby Corporation in 1985, and the headquarters moved to Elgin, Illinois, during the late 1980s. This period established the organizational identity under which the company later developed into a diversified commercial-equipment group. Middleby expanded outside the United States during the late twentieth century. In 1990 it acquired a majority interest in Asbury Associates, a Filipino foodservice-equipment manufacturer, increasing its ownership to 80 percent in 1991. The company also established Fab-Asia in Manila as a manufacturing unit serving Asian and United States markets. By 1996, Middleby had an overseas manufacturing and training facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna, with approximately 190 employees. The company’s public-market history developed in stages. Middleby was initially available through the Nasdaq over-the-counter market, became listed on the American Stock Exchange in 1988, and completed its first public offering on Nasdaq in September 1997. Selim Bassoul became chief executive officer in January 2001. Under his leadership, Middleby pursued operating improvements and manufacturing consolidation. Between 2001 and 2006, the company closed several United States facilities while maintaining stated product lines and capacity. The period also saw a marked improvement in sales profitability and a substantial rise in the company’s stock valuation, according to historical accounts of the business. Acquisitions became a principal means of entering adjacent equipment categories and expanding the company’s geographic reach. Middleby acquired TurboChef in 2008, adding a significant speed-cooking and high-throughput oven capability. It began integrating MagiKitch'n brands into its commercial-appliance activities around 2010. In 2013, it purchased Viking Range, bringing a premium residential-appliance brand into a company previously dominated by commercial equipment. The Viking transaction added roughly 750 employees and was described at the time as Middleby’s largest acquisition. The residential platform continued to expand with the 2015 acquisition of Aga Rangemaster, a British manufacturer known for cast-iron ranges and related cooking brands. Follett Ice joined the company in 2016, adding ice equipment. In 2018, Middleby acquired Taylor Company, a major producer of frozen-dessert dispensing and frozen-drink machines. The transaction connected Middleby to equipment widely used in quick-service restaurants and other high-volume beverage and dessert operations. In December 2021, Middleby purchased Kamado Joe, Masterbuilt, and Char-Griller. These brands strengthened the company’s consumer grilling and outdoor-cooking presence and were expected to make the residential platform substantially larger. The company also acquired or added residential brands including AGA, Falcon, La Cornue, Lynx, Marvel, Rayburn, Viking, Waterford Stanley, and Novy. In July 2022 it acquired CP Packaging, extending its industrial portfolio into food-processing and packaging equipment. Middleby has received supplier, export, and product recognition. Its history includes United States export recognition in 1997 and an Illinois Governor’s Export Award in 2001. It has also appeared on business-growth and small-company rankings and received recognition connected with restaurant-chain installations and kitchen innovation. A cited example is its 2013 Supplier Partner of the Year recognition from Brinker International following the installation of approximately 1,200 ovens in Chili’s restaurants. Its WOW! Ovens also received a 2013 NRA Kitchen Innovations Award. The company has not been free of controversy. In 2021, media coverage focused on allegations that ice-cream machines manufactured for McDonald’s were intentionally unreliable or difficult to repair, potentially increasing service revenue. Kytch, a company that developed diagnostic technology for such machines, sued Middleby in connection with the dispute. The controversy highlighted the importance of serviceability, access to machine diagnostics, and manufacturer control over maintenance in commercial foodservice equipment. Middleby remains an active public company headquartered in Elgin. Its current identity is that of a multi-brand equipment group serving commercial kitchens, industrial food processors, and residential consumers. The Middleby name is most visible at the corporate level, while many customers encounter the company through specialist brands tailored to particular cooking, refrigeration, beverage, frozen-dessert, grilling, or processing applications.
- 2022
CP Packaging acquisition
[1]The company expanded its industrial food-processing and packaging activities through the purchase of CP Packaging.
- 2021
Residential grilling expansion
[1]Middleby acquired Kamado Joe, Masterbuilt, and Char-Griller.
- 2018
Taylor Company acquisition
[1]Taylor’s frozen-dessert and frozen-drink equipment became part of Middleby’s commercial portfolio.
- 2015
Aga Rangemaster acquisition
[1]The acquisition added British cast-iron range and residential cooking brands.
- 2013
Viking Range acquisition
[1]Middleby entered a larger residential-appliance platform through the purchase of Viking Range.
- 2008
TurboChef acquisition
[1]The purchase added speed-cooking and high-throughput oven technology.
- 2001
Selim Bassoul becomes chief executive
[1]Selim Bassoul became CEO and led a period of operating rationalization, consolidation, and acquisition-driven expansion.
- 1997
First Nasdaq public offering
[1]The company completed its first public offering on Nasdaq in September 1997.
- 1990
Expansion into the Philippines
[1]Middleby acquired a majority stake in Asbury Associates, a Filipino foodservice-equipment manufacturer.
- 1988
American Stock Exchange listing
[1]Middleby moved from over-the-counter trading to an American Stock Exchange listing.
Products and positioning
A diversified, engineering-led supplier of premium and high-performance commercial foodservice, industrial processing, and residential kitchen equipment, emphasizing throughput, automation, energy efficiency, labor savings, and application-specific solutions.
Commercial conveyor ovens
Middleby Marshall
Middleby Marshall is associated with conveyorized commercial ovens used especially in pizza, bakery, and high-volume restaurant operations. These systems are designed for consistent throughput and repeatable cooking, allowing chain restaurants and other operators to standardize production across multiple locations. The brand is one of the company’s most visible commercial cooking lines.
Commercial ovens
Blodgett
Blodgett provides commercial oven equipment for restaurants, institutions, bakeries, and other professional kitchens. Its range has historically covered deck, convection, combi, and related oven formats, supporting baking, roasting, finishing, and general food production. The brand contributes foundational oven expertise to Middleby’s commercial portfolio.
Commercial fryers
Pitco
Pitco is a commercial frying-equipment brand serving quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, institutional kitchens, and other high-volume foodservice operations. Its equipment is intended for repetitive frying applications where oil management, cooking consistency, recovery performance, and ease of cleaning affect operating costs and service speed.
Speed-cooking ovens
TurboChef
TurboChef develops high-speed commercial ovens that combine technologies such as convection, impinged air, and microwave energy for rapid cooking and finishing. The brand is used where operators need shorter preparation times, compact footprints, menu flexibility, and repeatability. Middleby acquired TurboChef in 2008.
Residential kitchen appliances
Viking
Viking is a premium residential appliance brand covering ranges, ovens, cooktops, refrigeration, ventilation, and related kitchen products. Its acquisition in 2013 gave Middleby a major consumer-facing platform and a stronger presence in high-end residential kitchens. Viking remains one of the best-known brands in Middleby’s residential portfolio.
Frozen-dessert and beverage equipment
Taylor
Taylor manufactures commercial equipment for frozen desserts, soft serve, shakes, frozen beverages, and related foodservice applications. Its machines are designed for high-volume restaurant and hospitality environments. Middleby acquired Taylor Company in 2018, adding an established platform with significant relevance to quick-service restaurant operations.
Residential ranges
Aga and Falcon
Aga and Falcon are residential cooking brands associated with premium ranges and kitchen appliances, particularly in the United Kingdom and European markets. Their products extend Middleby’s residential proposition beyond the United States and add heritage-oriented, design-led, and cast-iron cooking capabilities to the group.
Residential outdoor cooking · 2021
Kamado Joe
Kamado Joe produces ceramic kamado-style grills and outdoor cooking accessories. The brand serves consumers interested in grilling, smoking, roasting, and temperature-controlled outdoor cooking. Middleby acquired Kamado Joe in 2021 as part of a broader expansion into consumer grilling and outdoor equipment.
Residential grills and smokers · 2021
Masterbuilt and Char-Griller
Masterbuilt and Char-Griller broaden Middleby’s outdoor-cooking range across electric smokers, charcoal equipment, gas grills, smokers, and related consumer products. Their addition in 2021 gave Middleby greater exposure to mainstream residential outdoor cooking and complemented the premium positioning of Kamado Joe and other residential brands.
Controversies
2021
Dispute over McDonald’s ice-cream machine repairability
Middleby was criticized in media reports over allegations that ice-cream machines supplied for McDonald’s were intentionally unreliable or difficult to repair in ways that could support maintenance revenue. Kytch, a company offering diagnostic technology for the machines, sued Middleby in connection with the dispute. The matter raised broader questions about proprietary diagnostics, service access, and repairability in commercial foodservice equipment.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Brinker International Chili’s oven installation
United States
Middleby supplied and installed approximately 1,200 ovens in Chili’s restaurants operated by Brinker International. The relationship contributed to Middleby receiving Brinker’s Supplier Partner of the Year recognition.
Outcome. The installation was cited as a supplier achievement and demonstrated Middleby’s ability to deploy cooking equipment across a large restaurant-chain estate.
- 2013WOW! Ovens product recognition
United States · International
Middleby promoted its WOW! Ovens as a high-throughput commercial cooking solution used by major pizza chains and other restaurant operators.
Outcome. The product received an NRA Kitchen Innovations Award in 2013.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquire CP PackagingM&ABackground
Middleby was extending beyond restaurant cooking equipment into industrial food processing and packaging applications.
Action taken
Middleby acquired CP Packaging, a United States equipment manufacturer.
Aftermath
The purchase broadened the industrial processing segment and added packaging-related equipment capabilities.
2021
Acquire Kamado Joe, Masterbuilt, and Char-GrillerM&ABackground
Middleby aimed to build a larger residential platform and increase its participation in consumer outdoor cooking.
Action taken
The company purchased three consumer grill and outdoor-cooking brands: Kamado Joe, Masterbuilt, and Char-Griller.
Aftermath
The acquisitions were expected to expand the residential platform’s revenue base to more than US$1 billion.
2018
Acquire Taylor CompanyM&ABackground
Taylor’s frozen-dessert and frozen-beverage equipment complemented Middleby’s existing commercial foodservice platform.
Action taken
Middleby acquired Taylor Company and added its dispensing and frozen-drink equipment to the group.
Aftermath
Middleby gained a substantial position in equipment used by quick-service restaurants and other high-volume dessert and beverage operators.
Reported acquisition price. US$1 billion (May 2018 acquisition)
2015
Acquire Aga RangemasterM&ABackground
Middleby was expanding its residential appliance platform and seeking stronger access to European cooking-equipment markets.
Action taken
The company acquired British cast-iron range manufacturer Aga Rangemaster.
Aftermath
The transaction added AGA, Falcon, Rayburn, and related residential cooking capabilities to the group.
Reported acquisition price. £129 million (July 2015 acquisition)
2013
Acquire Viking RangeM&ABackground
Middleby sought to increase its exposure to residential appliances, which had represented a relatively small part of its business before the transaction.
Action taken
Middleby purchased Viking Range from investors Warren Stephens and Fred Carl Jr. and planned to apply Middleby technology and operating capabilities to the residential brand.
Aftermath
The deal added a major premium residential brand and approximately 750 employees to the company.
Reported acquisition price. US$380 million (2013 acquisition announcement)
2008
Acquire TurboChef to expand speed cookingM&ABackground
TurboChef and Middleby were competitors in commercial speed cooking, particularly in applications such as pizza and rapid-service restaurant preparation.
Action taken
Middleby acquired TurboChef and incorporated its high-speed cooking capabilities into the broader commercial equipment group.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Middleby’s position in rapid-cooking and compact high-throughput oven applications.
Recent events
Reported
Middleby announces acquisition of Synesso[3]
Middleby announced its acquisition of Synesso, an espresso machine manufacturer. The financial terms were not announced. Synesso said its brand would continue to operate as before, hand-building machines at its Seattle headquarters with the same personnel.
Sources3 sources
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