UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]  Annual Report  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
     Act of 1934.

                   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 1996

                                       or

[ ]  Transition  Report  Pursuant  to Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 .

                           Commission File No. 1-9973

                            THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                            ------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                Delaware                                 36-3352497   
                --------                                 ----------   
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation    (IRS Employer Identification
          or organization)                                 Number)

1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois                   60120
- ---------------------------------------                   -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 847-741-3300

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                               Title of each class
                               -------------------
                                  Common stock,
                            par value $0.01 per share

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 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 if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. ( )

The  aggregate  market  value of the voting stock held by  nonaffiliates  of the
Registrant  as of March 14, 1997 was  approximately  $29,025,000.  The number of
shares  outstanding of the  Registrant's  class of common stock, as of March 14,
1997, was 8,470,938 shares.

                       Documents Incorporated by Reference
                       -----------------------------------
Part III of Form 10-K  incorporates by reference the Company's  definitive proxy
statement to be filed  pursuant to Regulation  14A in  connection  with the 1997
annual meeting of stockholders.





                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                DECEMBER 28, 1996
                             FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                    PART I
                                                                          Page

Item 1.    Business......................................................... 1

Item 2.    Properties....................................................... 7

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings................................................ 8

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............. 8

Item 4A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant............................. 8

                                     PART II

Item 5     Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
                Related Stockholder Matters................................. 9

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data..........................................10

Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations.........................11

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......................14

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                Accounting and Financial Disclosure.........................37

                                    PART III

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...............37

Item 11.   Executive Compensation...........................................37

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
                and Management..............................................37

Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...................37

                                     PART IV

Item 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
                 on Form 8-K................................................37





                                     PART 1

Item 1. Business
- ----------------

General
- -------

The Middleby  Corporation  ("Middleby" or the "Company"),  through its operating
subsidiary Middleby Marshall Inc. ("Middleby Marshall") and Middleby Marshall's
subsidiaries  and  their  operating   divisions,   is  engaged  in  the  design,
manufacture and sale of commercial and institutional  foodservice equipment. The
Company  designs,  develops,  manufactures and markets a broad line of equipment
used for the cooking and  preparation of food for  commercial and  institutional
kitchens and restaurants throughout the world.

On January 23,  1997,  the Company sold  substantially  all of the assets of its
Victory Refrigeration Company ("Victory") subsidiary to an investor group led by
local  management  at Victory.  Proceeds from the sale, as well as from the sale
and  leaseback  of the Victory  facility to an  unrelated  third party which was
completed on December 27, 1996,  were expected to amount to $11.8 million,  less
amounts for retained liabilities and transaction costs aggregating $2.6 million.
The net  proceeds,  which were used to reduce debt,  are subject to post closing
adjustments. The following discussion of the Company excludes Victory.

Principal Products and Operating Divisions
- ------------------------------------------

The Company's operations are conducted  principally through two domestic and two
international  business units. Each of the business units operates independently
of the others  with its own  management,  marketing,  manufacturing  and product
development  capabilities.  The business  unit  Presidents  or General  Managers
report to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Company's
corporate staff performs cash  management,  capital  expenditure  authorization,
financial  reporting,   planning,   corporate  accounting,   and  certain  other
marketing, service and operations management, and administrative functions.

         Middleby Cooking Systems Group, Elgin, IL
         -------------------------------

The principal product lines manufactured at this operating division are 
Middleby Marshall-Registered Trademark- conveyor ovens, CTX-Registered 
Trademark- infrared ovens,  Toastmaster-Registered Trademark-  counterline 
cooking and warming  equipment,  and Titan-Registered Trademark- mixers.  The 
Middleby Marshall and CTX  products and the  Toastmaster  and Titan  products 
are handled  through two distinct  independent  sales and marketing  
divisions within the Cooking Systems Group.

Middleby  Marshall is one of the leading producers of conveyor cooking equipment
in the world. Its conveyor ovens utilize a patented process, "Jet-Sweep"-TM- air
impingement,  that  forces  heated  air at high  velocities  through a system of
nozzles  above and below the food product  which is placed on a moving  conveyor
belt. This process achieves faster baking times and greater  consistency of bake
than conventional ovens. As a manufacturer of baking and cooking equipment since
1888,  Middleby  Marshall is renowned for quality and durability.  Its ovens are
used by the  majority  of major  global  and  domestic  pizza  chains  and other
restaurants and institutions.

                                        1



The CTX line of conveyor ovens utilizes  patented infrared cooking and precision
control technology.

Toastmaster commercial electric cooking and warming equipment includes 
toasters, hot food servers,  foodwarmers,  griddles,  fryers, convection 
ovens and ranges. Toastmaster  products feature energy saving and food safety 
technologies such as that  offered in the  Accumiser-TM-  griddle.  As a 
long-term  supplier to major restaurant  chains,  Toastmaster  has  developed 
the  capabilities  to  provide customized  equipment  for  a  chain's  
particular  needs.  An  example  is  the development of a conveyor toaster 
for a major quick service chain,  resulting in improved  operating  
efficiencies  and less  food  waste.  Toastmaster  also has distribution 
arrangements with a European manufacturer of rotisserie cooking and 
merchandising  display  equipment.  In 1996,  Toastmaster  entered  into 
another arrangement  with the same  European  manufacturer  to  distribute  
the RoFry-Registered Trademark- oil-less  fryer on an  exclusive  basis  in 
North  and  South  America  and on a non-exclusive  basis in certain other 
areas of the world. The RoFry trademark is owned by its European manufacturer.

The Company also has a distribution  agreement with a European  manufacturer  to
distribute Rational Combi-Steamers in North America.

The Company does not produce consumer products under the 
Toastmaster-Registered Trademark- name, as the rights to the  Toastmaster  
brand name for consumer  markets are owned by an unaffiliated company, 
Toastmaster, Inc.

         Southbend,  Fuquay-Varina, NC
         ----------  
Southbend-Registered Trademark- designs,  manufactures and markets core 
cooking equipment specified for use by the professional chef, as well as 
standardized  equipment for general use in  restaurants  and  institutions.  
Principal  products  are heavy duty gas ranges, convection ovens, broilers, 
fryers and griddles. Southbend also offers a broad line of steam cooking  
equipment  under the  SteamMaster-Registered Trademark- name, some of which 
it produces and some of which is produced for it by other manufacturers.

         Asbury Associates, Inc.,  Miramar, FL
         ------------------------

Asbury Associates  ("Asbury") is an export  management and distribution  
company engaged in the representation and distribution of foodservice 
equipment.  Asbury sells the  Company's  product lines and certain  
non-competing  product lines of other  American  and European  manufacturers  
throughout  the world  (except for Canada,  where the Company has a 
distribution company division under the name of Escan).  Asbury is  
headquartered  in  Miramar,  Florida  with  Asian  sales and administrative  
operations based in Manila,  the  Philippines.  Asbury has sales offices in 
Bilbao, Spain; Paris, France; Taipei, Taiwan; Shanghai, China; Tokyo, Japan; 
Jakarta, Indonesia; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Mexico City, Mexico; and Sao Paulo, 
Brazil. The Company acquired a majority interest in Asbury in April, 1990, 
which was increased to 80% in 1991.  Asbury has established three  additional 
 business units: ICES, a foodservice  equipment dealer in the Philippines,  
Asbury S.L., a foodservice  equipment  distributor  in Spain and France,  and 
Asbury Taiwan Co. Ltd., a foodservice equipment distributor in Taiwan.  
Distribution  companies in Mexico, Japan and Korea are expected to be 
established in 1997.

                                        2





Asbury has the  ability to offer  customers  a  complete  package of  equipment,
delivered and installed in over 100 countries  throughout the world. For a local
country distributor or dealer,  Asbury provides  centralized sourcing of a broad
line  of  American  and  European  equipment  with  complete  export  management
services,   including  export  documentation,   freight  forwarding,   equipment
warehousing and consolidation, installation, warranty service and parts support.

         Middleby Philippines Corporation,  the Philippines
         ---------------------------------  
Middleby  Philippines  Corporation ("MPC") was incorporated in 1995 as part of a
major expansion of the Company's manufacturing  capabilities in the Philippines.
The  Company  owns  80% of MPC,  with the  remaining  20%  being  owned by local
management.  Its operations were moved in April,  1996 into a newly  constructed
54,000 square foot facility  outside of Manila.  At that facility,  MPC designs,
engineers,  fabricates and installs  semi-custom  kitchen  equipment  units used
primarily in  conjunction  with standard  equipment  manufactured  in the United
States to make a complete kitchen installation. This operation also manufactures
certain  kitchen  equipment  for  sale in Asian  markets.  MPC's  customers  are
primarily Asian operations of major foodservice chains and hotels.

MPC's predecessor, Fab-Asia, Inc. ("Fab-Asia"), was formed in 1991 at which time
the Company acquired a majority  interest.  The Company  increased its ownership
interest  in  MPC  to 80%  in  1994.  The  operating  assets  of  Fab-Asia  were
transferred to MPC on January 1, 1996.


The Market and Customers
- ------------------------

The  Company's  products  are sold  primarily  through  independent  dealers and
distributors for use in the commercial and institutional  foodservice  industry.
Certain large restaurant and hotel chain customers own purchasing  organizations
that  manage  product  procurement  for their own  systems.  End-user  customers
include full service restaurants, quick service restaurants,  cafeterias, hotels
and  resorts,  recreational  and  sports  facilities,  retail  outlets  such  as
supermarkets and convenience stores, and private and public  institutions,  such
as schools,  hospitals,  long-term  care  facilities,  correctional  facilities,
military  establishments and government  agencies.  The products are marketed in
the  United  States  and in over 100  countries  through  a  combination  of the
Company's own sales personnel and international marketing  subsidiaries,  and an
extensive  network of  independent  dealers,  distributors,  consultants,  sales
representatives and agents.

During the past several decades,  growth in the foodservice market in the United
States has been driven  primarily  by  population  growth,  economic  growth and
demographic   changes,   including  the  emergence  of  families  with  multiple
wage-earners and growth in the number of higher-income households,  leading to a
demand for convenience in food preparation and consumption. Eating out and carry
out continue to be on an upward trend in the U.S., though slower than the 1970's
and 1980's due to lower  economic  growth.  Higher  growth is  evidenced  in the
international  markets as U.S. national restaurant concepts,  particularly quick
service chains, increasingly enter those markets. Aggressive expansion in


                                        3


international  markets  is  expected  to be driven by the  explosive  population
growth  and  economic  development  in  nonindustrialized   and  industrializing
nations,  along  with the  favorable  operating  economics  for the  foodservice
operator.

The foodservice  equipment market generally has grown in response to the primary
growth  factors  of  the  foodservice  industry  noted  above.  However,   large
foodservice chains generally have a greater influence on the equipment market as
a result of new store  openings,  remodeling and upgrade  programs and equipment
purchases to support new menu items.  According to published  industry  sources,
the foodservice  equipment market in the U.S. increased 6.2% to $6.21 billion in
1996 and is expected to grow by 6.6% in 1997.  The  industry's top 50 specifying
chain  giants,  per a leading  publication,  grew by an even  larger  percentage
during 1996 led by new construction and nontraditional site development.

The United  States has had only  moderate  growth in the  foodservice  equipment
market since the economic downturn of 1991-1992.  The international  foodservice
equipment market,  however,  has grown more substantially.  The Company believes
that the ability to support the domestic and international growth of foodservice
and hotel chains  through  worldwide  sales and service  networks  will be a key
element in establishing its market position.

International  sales  accounted for  approximately  37% of total sales in fiscal
1996,  36% of total sales in fiscal 1995 and 35% of total sales in fiscal  1994.
No customer accounted for more than 10% of sales in fiscal 1996, 1995 or 1994.

The backlog of orders was  $15,017,000  at December  28,  1996,  all of which is
expected to be filled during 1997.  The  Company's  backlog was  $11,253,000  at
December 30, 1995.  The backlog is not  necessarily  indicative  of the level of
business expected for the year, as there is generally a short time between order
receipt and shipment for the majority of the Company's products.


Marketing and Distribution
- --------------------------

Each of the Company's  business  units is  responsible  for the marketing of its
products,  under the direction of the unit's President or General Manager, Sales
Manager and  supporting  personnel.  Each  business  unit manages its own sales,
promotion and marketing  programs with  coordination  and support from corporate
sales and marketing functions.

The  Company's  marketing  strategy is conducted  through each of the  principal
distribution  channels to reach the  worldwide  foodservice  market.  These are:
direct sales to the major  foodservice  chains;  sales to foodservice  equipment
dealers  for  distribution  to the broader  foodservice  market;  sales  through
consultant-specifiers  representing large project equipment  installations;  and
international sales primarily through the Asbury distribution organization.  The
Company's  relationships  with major  national  restaurant  chains is  primarily
handled through an integrated effort of top-level executive and sales management
at the  corporate  and  division  level to best  service the  customers'  needs.
Management   believes   that  its   extensive   capabilities   in   engineering,
manufacturing,  field service and technical sales support enables the Company to
respond effectively to a chain's requirements.

                                        4



There is a broad base of non-exclusive foodservice equipment dealers in the U.S.
serving the independent end-users. The Company's products are marketed through a
combined network of approximately  2,000 foodservice  equipment dealers,  who in
turn  are  supported  by  over  300  manufacturers'  marketing  representatives.
International sales are primarily made through Asbury's  distribution network to
larger end-users and to independent local country  distributors and dealers. The
Company's products are serviced by independent  service agencies,  and supported
through a factory training and certification program for technicians.


Competition
- -----------

In  general,  the  foodservice  equipment  industry  is highly  competitive  and
fragmented.   Within  a  given  product  line,   the  industry   remains  fairly
concentrated,  with typically a small number of  competitors  accounting for the
bulk of the line's industry-wide sales.  Industry competition includes companies
who manufacture a broad line of commercial  foodservice  equipment  products and
those who specialize in a particular  product line.  Competition in the industry
is based upon many factors,  including name  recognition,  product  features and
design, quality, price, serviceability, after-market service and deliverability.
The  Company   attempts  to   differentiate   its  products   through   advanced
technological  features and  benefits.  Management  believes that the demand for
labor saving,  energy efficient and flexible equipment will increase,  driven by
quick  service  chains that face labor  supply  issues,  space  limitations  and
increasing  operating  costs. The Company also focuses on the user interface and
serviceability factors across its global product markets.

In the international  markets, the Company competes with U.S.  manufacturers and
numerous  local  competitors.  Management  believes the Company's  international
export management and distribution  capabilities uniquely position it to provide
value-added  services to the U.S. and international  based chains, as well as to
local country distributors offering a complete line of kitchen equipment.

The  Company  believes it is among the largest  multiple-line  manufacturers  of
foodservice equipment,  both in the United States and worldwide,  though some of
its  competitors  are units of operations  which are larger than the Company and
possess  greater  financial and personnel  resources.  Among the Company's major
domestic   competitors  are  Welbilt  Corporation  (a  subsidiary  of  Berisford
International plc),  Specialty Equipment  Companies,  Inc., G.S. Blodgett Corp.,
and  Hobart  and Vulcan  Hart  (which  are both units of Premark  International,
Inc.).

Sources of Supply
- -----------------

The Company  purchases its raw  materials  and component  parts from a number of
suppliers.  The  majority  of the  Company's  material  purchases  are  standard
commodity-type  materials,  such  as  stainless  steel,  electrical  components,
hardware  and  various  components.  Such  materials  and  parts  generally  are
available in adequate quantities from numerous  suppliers.  Some component parts
are  obtained  from sole  sources  of  supply  for  reasons  the  Company  deems
advantageous.  In such instances,  management  believes it can substitute  other
suppliers as it may require.  The majority of the required  fabrication  is done
internally  through  the  use of  automated  equipment.  Certain  equipment  and
accessories are

                                        5


manufactured by other suppliers for sale by the Company. The Company believes it
enjoys good  relationships  with its suppliers and considers the present sources
of supply to be adequate for its present and anticipated future requirements.


Licenses, Patents, and Trademarks
- ---------------------------------

Middleby  Marshall  has an  exclusive  license  from  Patentsmith  II,  Inc.  to
manufacture, use and sell in the United States Jetsweep(TM) air impingement type
ovens for commercial food  applications in which the interior length or width of
a rectangular cooking area, or in which the diameter of a circular cooking area,
equals or exceeds 36 inches. The Patentsmith II license covers numerous patents,
some of which  extend  beyond the year  2000.  Middleby  Marshall  also holds an
exclusive  sublicense  from Lincoln  Foodservice  Products,  Inc., a division of
Welbilt  Corporation,  to manufacture,  use and sell throughout the world, other
than the United States and Japan,  impingement type ovens of the above-described
dimensions for commercial food applications.  This sublicense covers the foreign
analogues  of the  patents  covered by the  Patentsmith  II  license  and grants
Middleby Marshall rights of first refusal for a similar sublicense in Japan. The
Patentsmith II license and the Lincoln  sublicense expire upon the expiration of
the last  patented  improvement  covered by the  license.  While the loss of the
Patentsmith II license would have an adverse  effect on the Company,  management
believes  it  is  capable  of  designing,   manufacturing  and  selling  similar
equipment,  although  not as  technologically  advanced.  Lincoln and Fuji Chubo
Setsubi Company,  Ltd. are the only other  foodservice  equipment  manufacturers
licensed under the Patentsmith II patents.

The Company holds numerous patents covering technology and applications  related
to various products,  equipment and systems.  Management believes the expiration
of any one of these  patents  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
overall operations or profitability of the Company.

The Company  owns  numerous  trademarks  and trade names;  among them,  
Middleby Marshall-Registered Trademark-, CTX-Registered Trademark-, 
Southbend-Registered Trademark-,  SteamMaster-Registered Trademark-,  
Toastmaster-Registered Trademark- and Titan-Registered Trademark- are 
registered in the U.S.  Patent and Trademark  Office and in various  foreign 
countries.

Employees
- ---------

As of December 28,  1996,  the Company  employed  965  persons.  Of this amount,
approximately  325  were  management,  administrative,  sales,  engineering  and
supervisory  personnel;  approximately  386  were  hourly  production  non-union
workers; and approximately 254 were hourly production union members. Included in
these totals were 315  individuals  employed  outside of the United  States,  of
which 97 were management,  sales,  administrative and engineering personnel, and
218 were hourly  production  non-union  workers.  The Company's Elgin,  Illinois
facility has a union contract with the  International  Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The  current  three year  contract  expires on May 1, 1997.  It is  management's
opinion that the relationships  between its employees,  union and management are
good.


                                        6


Item 2. Properties
- ------------------

The Company's  principal  executive  offices are located in the Elgin,  Illinois
manufacturing  facility.  The  Company's  property,   plant  and  equipment  are
encumbered  pursuant to its current credit agreements.  (See Note 4 of the Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

The principal properties of the Company are listed below:

                                                                 Building
Division and               Principal             Square           Owned/
  Location                 Function              Footage          Leased
  --------                 --------              -------          ------

Middleby Cooking           Manufacturing         207,000          Owned
     Systems Group         Warehousing and
     Elgin, Illinois       Offices

Southbend                  Manufacturing,        131,000          Owned
     Fuquay-Varina,        Warehousing and
     North Carolina        Offices

Asbury Assoc., Inc.        Offices and            18,000          Leased(a)
     Miramar, Florida      Warehousing

Middleby Philippines       Manufacturing and      54,000          Owned
     Corporation           Warehousing
      Laguna, the
      Philippines

Note:

     (a)  Lease expires October 2002, with payments of approximately $12,000 per
          month.

At various other  locations the Company leases small amounts of office space for
administrative and sales functions,  and in certain instances limited short-term
inventory  storage;  these principal  locations are in Manila,  the Philippines;
Bilbao, Spain; Paris, France;  Taipei,  Taiwan;  Shanghai,  China; Tokyo, Japan;
Jakarta, Indonesia; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, 
Brazil and Toronto, Canada.

Management  believes that all of these facilities are adequate for the operation
of the Company's business as presently conducted.


                                        7



Item 3. Legal Proceedings
- -------------------------

The Company is routinely  involved in  litigation  incidental  to its  business,
including  product  liability  actions which are generally covered by insurance.
Such routine  claims are being  vigorously  contested  and  management  does not
believe  that the outcome of any such  litigation  will have a material  adverse
effect upon the financial condition of the Company.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- -----------------------------------------------------------

No  matters  were  submitted  to a vote of the  security  holders  in the fourth
quarter of the year ended December 28, 1996.


Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant
- ---------------------------------------------

                                          Principal Occupation and
                                          Principal Position and
                Name             Age      Office with the Company
                ----             ---      -----------------------

         William F. Whitman, Jr.  57      Chairman of the Board of
                                          the Company and Middleby Marshall

         David P. Riley           50      President and Chief Executive
                                          Officer of the Company and
                                          Middleby Marshall

         John J. Hastings         41      Executive Vice President, Chief
                                          Financial Officer, Secretary and
                                          Treasurer

The officers of the Company are elected annually by the Board of Directors, 
hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify,  and may be 
removed by the Board of  Directors  at any time,  at a duly  convened  
meeting  of the Board of Directors or by written  consent.  The Company has  
employment  agreements  with Messrs.  Whitman and Riley.  Laura B. Whitman, a 
director of the Company, is the daughter of Mr.  Whitman.

                                        8



                                     PART II


Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
- -------------------------------------------------
        Related Stockholder Matters
        ---------------------------

On November 28, 1995,  the  Company's  common stock became  listed on the NASDAQ
National Market under the symbol "MIDD". Prior to that date, the Company's stock
was listed on the American  Stock  Exchange  under the symbol  "MBY".  Set forth
below for the calendar quarters indicated are the high and low closing prices.

                             1996                   1995
                      -----------------        -------------
                      High          Low        High      Low
                      ----          ---        ----      ---

     1st Quarter     8-5/8          7          6-3/4     3-7/8
     2nd Quarter     13-15/16       7-3/8      8-3/4     5-1/4
     3rd Quarter     8              5-3/4      8-1/8     5-3/8
     4th Quarter     6-3/4          4-3/4      9-3/4     5-3/8

As of December 28, 1996, the Company  estimates there were  approximately  2,500
beneficial owners of the Company's common stock.

The Company has not paid a dividend since 1991. Its current financing agreements
preclude payment of dividends for the foreseeable future.

During the fiscal year ended  December 28, 1996, the Company issued an aggregate
of 74,500 shares of the Company's  common stock to current and former  employees
and  directors,  pursuant to the  exercise of stock  options,  for an  aggregate
consideration of $179,000. Such options were granted under the Company's Amended
and Restated 1989 Stock Incentive Plan, or outside of any plan, and had exercise
prices ranging  between a maximum of $4.38 and a minimum of $1.25.  The issuance
of such shares was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  pursuant to Section 4(2)  thereof,  as  transactions  by an issuer not
involving a public offering.

                                        9



                                     PART II

Item 6. Selected Financial Data
- -------------------------------


                                           Restated  Restated   Restated    Restated
                                   1996      1995      1994       1993        1992
                                   ----      ----      ----       ----        ----
                                         (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                                               
Net sales.....................  $124,765   $106,348   $94,158    $85,789     $90,415
Income from
     operations...............     8,677      6,896     6,593       (246)      3,814
Earnings (loss)
     before taxes.............     4,472      2,605     2,849     14,682        (950)
Earnings (loss) from
     continuing operations....  $  3,083   $  2,745   $ 2,235    $14,441     $(1,281)
                                  ======     ======    ======    =======     =======

Per  common share from 
   continuing operations:

     Primary earnings
          (loss)..............  $    .35   $    .31   $   .26    $  1.72     $  (.15)
     Fully diluted
          earnings (loss).....       .35        .31       .26       1.72        (.15)
Cash dividends................        -          -         -          -           -


At year-end:
     Total assets.............   $85,968    $85,231   $76,700    $73,394     $76,148
     Total debt...............    41,268     43,028    44,472     47,401      59,545
     Shareholders'
          equity..............   $22,450    $21,758   $14,657    $10,100     $(3,823)
                                 =======    =======   =======    =======     =======



Notes:

     (1)  Results  relating to the  Company's  former Seco Division are included
          for the period until its sale on August 21, 1992.

     (2)  The above selected  financial data excludes the Victory  Refrigeration
          Company which has been accounted for as a discontinued  operation (see
          Note 3 to the Financial Statements).

     (3)  Certain  amounts  in  the  prior  years'   financial  data  have  been
          reclassified to be consistent with the fiscal 1996 presentation.


                                       10





Item 7. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
- ----------------------------------------------------------
        Condition and Results of Operations
        -----------------------------------


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, changing market conditions;  the availability and cost of raw materials; the
impact of competitive  products and pricing;  the timely  development and market
acceptance  of  the  Company's   products;   foreign  exchange  risks  affecting
international  sales;  and other risks detailed herein and from  time-to-time in
the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.


Results of Operations
- ---------------------

                           Fiscal 1996 vs. Fiscal 1995
                           ---------------------------

Net sales  increased  $18,417,000  or 17.3% to  $124,765,000  in fiscal  1996 as
compared to  $106,348,000  in fiscal 1995. Net sales for the Company's  domestic
cooking and warming equipment  manufacturing  divisions  increased 11.8% in 1996
compared  to 1995.  Domestic  sales  increased  15.8% in 1996  compared to 1995.
International sales increased 20.0% in 1996 as compared to 1995,  primarily from
increased sales of distributed  products.  International sales represented 37.0%
of total sales in 1996 as compared to 36.2% in 1995. The continued strong growth
in international  sales is attributable to the Company's  continued  strategy of
expanding its sales and distribution presence in overseas markets.

Gross margin  increased  $4,928,000  or 15.2% to  $37,435,000  in fiscal 1996 as
compared to  $32,507,000  in fiscal  1995.  As a percent to sales,  gross margin
declined  slightly to 30.0% in 1996 as compared to 30.6% in 1995. The decline in
gross margin  percentage is attributable to the Company's direct service program
which was initiated at the end of 1995 and terminated  during the fourth quarter
of  1996,  and to  start-up  costs  associated  with the  Company's  Philippines
manufacturing facility.

Selling, distribution, general and administrative  expenses increased  
$4,047,000 or 16.4% to $28,758,000  in fiscal 1996 from  $24,711,000  in 
fiscal  1995.  As a percent of sales,  expenses  decreased  slightly to 23.0% 
from 23.2% in 1995. The increased expenses were largely due to the  increased 
sales,  additional  support for the Company's  expanding  international  
operations and costs associated with dealer promotional programs.

Income from  operations  increased  $1,781,000  or 25.8% to $8,677,000 in fiscal
1996 as compared to $6,896,000 in fiscal 1995.  The  improvement  in income from
operations is primarily due to increased sales.

                                       11


Interest expense and deferred financing  amortization  increased $24,000 or 0.6%
to  $4,351,000  in fiscal 1996  compared to  $4,327,000  in fiscal 1995.  Stable
interest rates and average  outstanding  balances  contributed to the consistent
expense amount.

The Company recorded a net tax provision of $1,389,000 in 1996 compared to a 
net tax benefit of $140,000 in 1995. The tax provision  includes a benefit of 
$865,000  related to the  utilization  of  tax  loss  carry-forwards  as  
compared  to a  benefit  of $1,710,000 in 1995  associated  with NOL  
utilization  and  valuation  allowance reductions.

The Company recorded earnings from continuing  operations of $3,083,000 in 1996,
as compared to  $2,745,000  in 1995.  Net  earnings  were  $473,000 in 1996,  as
compared to $3,164,000 in 1995.


                           Fiscal 1995 vs. Fiscal 1994
                           ---------------------------

Net sales increased $12,190,000 or 12.9% to $106,348,000 compared to $94,158,000
in  fiscal  1994.  Several  new  products  contributed  to the  gain,  including
Toastmaster's new conveyor toaster for a large international fast-food chain and
Middleby  Marshall's  extra wide belt conveyor oven introduced in late 1994. The
Company's international sales increased 15.9% over 1994 and represented 36.2% of
total sales,  evidencing  the  tremendous  demand for  foodservice  equipment in
global markets,  particularly  in the emerging  markets of the world where major
U.S. restaurant chains are quickly developing their concepts.

The Company  improved  gross margins as a percent of net sales to 30.6.% in 1995
as  compared to 30.3% in 1994.  This  increase  resulted  from  increased  sales
volumes,  improved  operating  efficiencies  and  improved  margins on  products
distributed internationally.

Selling,  distribution, general and administrative  expenses increased  
$2,740,000 or 12.5% to $24,711,000  compared to  $21,971,000 in fiscal 1994. 
As a percent of net sales, expenses  decreased  slightly to 23.2% in fiscal 
1995 from 23.3% in fiscal 1994. The increase in expenses is attributable to 
expenses  associated with a new line of  combi-steamers  the Company began  
distributing in January,  1995,  start-up expenses for a new direct  service  
program which began  operation in the fourth quarter of 1995,  increased  
promotional  expenses and higher commissions due to increased sales.

Income from operations, including a $900,000 provision for the discontinuance of
a product line  discussed in Note 6 to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,
increased  $303,000 or 4.6%,  to $6,896,000 in 1995 as compared to $6,593,000 in
1994.  Excluding  the  $900,000  provision,  income  from  operations  increased
$1,203,000 or 18.2%.  The improvement in income from operations is primarily due
to increased sales and margin improvement.

                                       12




Interest expense and deferred  financing  amortization  increased  $1,065,000 or
32.6% to $4,327,000 in 1995 as compared to  $3,262,000 in 1994,  primarily  from
higher interest rates and deferred financing costs associated with the Company's
January 10, 1995 refinancing.

The Company recorded a net tax benefit of $140,000. The tax benefit includes 
a credit of $1,710,000 resulting from utilization of NOL carryforwards and 
the reduction of tax valuation allowances.  The reduction in the valuation 
allowance reflected  management's increased confidence in the future 
utilization of the Company's net operating loss carry-forwards.

The Company recorded earnings from continuing  operations of $2,745,000 in 1995,
as compared to  $2,235,000  in 1994.  Net earnings  were  $3,164,000 in 1995, as
compared to $2,740,000 in 1994.


Financial Condition and Liquidity
- ---------------------------------

Cash flow provided from operations  before balance sheet changes,  including the
utilization of net operating tax loss  carry-forwards,  was $3,323,000 in fiscal
1996  compared  to  $6,051,000  in fiscal  1995.  Changes in current  assets and
liabilities  of  continuing  operations  resulted in cash usage of $6,829,000 in
fiscal  1996 and cash  provided  of  $1,499,000  in fiscal  1995.  Additions  to
property,  plant and equipment  amounted to $2,966,000  and $2,728,000 in fiscal
1996 and 1995, respectively.

The Company's total  long-term debt,  including  current  maturities,  decreased
during  fiscal  1996 by  $1,760,000  to  $41,268,000  at fiscal  year end.  This
decrease was largely due to proceeds received from the sale and leaseback of the
Victory facility in December  1996,  offset in part by expenditures  associated
with the opening of the new Middleby Philippines Corporation facility during the
first half of the year.  Long-term  debt,  including  current  maturities,  as a
percentage of total  capitalization  was 64.8% at December 28, 1996 and 66.4% at
December 30, 1995.

On January 10,  1995,  the  Company's  subsidiaries  consummated  a  $57,500,000
financing  package to replace  existing  bank debt of  $44,000,000  and  provide
working capital for future growth.  The financing  includes a $42,500,000 senior
secured  credit  facility from a group of lenders led by an affiliate of a major
international  bank and a $15,000,000 senior secured note placement with a major
insurance  company.  The credit facility  includes a $15,000,000  five-year term
loan, a $25,000,000  revolving credit line and a $2,500,000 capital  expenditure
facility  renewable  annually.  The senior secured notes have an eight-year term
with payments beginning in the sixth year and bear interest at 10.99%. There was
$23,650,000  available to borrow under the revolving credit  facility,  of which
$14,575,000  was  outstanding  at December 28, 1996. The  outstanding  term loan
balance was $8,362,000 at December 28, 1996.

                                       13





Management believes the Company has sufficient  financial resources available to
meet its anticipated requirements for funds for operations in the current fiscal
year and can satisfy the obligations under its credit and note agreements.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
- ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Page

Report of Independent Public Accountants.........................  15
Consolidated Balance Sheets......................................  16
Consolidated Statements of Earnings..............................  17
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.......  18
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows............................  19
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................  21

The following  consolidated financial statement schedule
   is included in response to Item 14(d).

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves.....  36

All other schedules for  which provision is made to  applicable  
regulation of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission are  not
required under the related instruction or are inapplicable and,
therefore, have been omitted.


                                       14



                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                    ----------------------------------------


To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
            of The Middleby Corporation


     We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of THE
MIDDLEBY  CORPORATION (a Delaware  corporation)  and Subsidiaries as of 
December 28, 1996,  and December 30, 1995,  and the related  consolidated  
statements  of earnings,  changes in shareholders'  equity and cash flows for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 1996. These 
financial  statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 
based on our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion,  the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
The Middleby  Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 28, 1996, and December
30, 1995,  and the results of their  operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period  ended  December  28,  1996,  in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

     Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic  
financial statements  taken as a whole.  The data on Schedule II is presented 
for purposes of  additional  analysis  and is not a  required  part  of the  
basic  financial statements.  This  information  has been  subjected to the  
auditing  procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial  statements 
and, in our opinion,  is fairly  stated in all  material  respects  in  
relation  to the basic  financial statements taken as a whole.

                                                           Arthur Andersen LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 17, 1997

                                       15





                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND DECEMBER 30, 1995
                     ---------------------------------------
                    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)




                                                                            Restated
ASSETS                                                        1996            1995
- ------                                                        ----            ----
                                                                      
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents............................  $ 1,410         $   972
     Accounts receivable, net.............................   19,859          14,058
     Inventories, net.....................................   20,956          18,320
     Prepaid expenses and other...........................      939             879
     Net assets of discontinued operations................    4,082          12,803
     Current deferred taxes...............................    2,086           2,086
                                                              -----           -----
          Total Current Assets............................   49,332          49,118
Property, Plant and Equipment, net........................   18,843          17,305
Excess Purchase Price Over Net Assets Acquired, net.......   13,339          13,796
Deferred Taxes............................................    2,950           2,930
Other Assets..............................................    1,504           2,082
                                                              -----           -----
          Total Assets....................................  $85,968         $85,231
                                                            =======         =======

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current Liabilities:
     Current maturities of long-term debt.................  $ 3,916         $ 1,710
     Accounts payable.....................................   10,369          10,587
     Accrued expenses.....................................   10,001           8,075
                                                             ------           -----
          Total Current Liabilities.......................   24,286          20,372
Long-Term Debt............................................   37,352          41,318
Minority Interest and Other Non-current Liabilities.......    1,880           1,783
Shareholders' Equity:
     Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
          none issued.....................................      -               -
     Common stock, $.01 par value;
          8,468,000 and 8,388,000 shares issued
          and outstanding in 1996 and 1995,
          respectively....................................       85              84
     Paid-in capital......................................   28,108          27,934
     Cumulative translation adjustment....................     (184)           (228)
     Accumulated deficit..................................   (5,559)         (6,032)
                                                             ------          ------
          Total Shareholders' Equity......................   22,450          21,758
                                                             ------          ------
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity......  $85,968         $85,231
                                                            =======         =======


           The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of these statements.

                                       16


                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
         FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, DECEMBER 30, 1995
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1994
                              ---------------------
                    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)



                                                                Restated    Restated
                                                      1996        1995        1994
                                                      ----        ----        ----
                                                                   
Net Sales......................................     $124,765    $106,348    $ 94,158

Cost of Sales..................................       87,330      73,841      65,594
                                                      ------      ------      ------

          Gross Margin.........................       37,435      32,507      28,564

Selling and Distribution Expenses..............       18,319      15,385      13,398
General and Administrative Expenses............       10,439       9,326       8,573
Provision for Product Line Discontinuance......            -         900           -
                                                      ------         ---      ------      

          Income from Operations...............        8,677       6,896       6,593

Interest Expense and Deferred
     Financing Amortization....................        4,351       4,327       3,262
Other (Income) Expense, net....................         (146)        (36)        482
                                                        ----         ---         ---
          Earnings Before Income Taxes.........        4,472       2,605       2,849

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes...........        1,389        (140)        614

          Earnings from Continuing Operations..        3,083       2,745       2,235

Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Tax:

     (Loss) Earnings from Discontinued
           Operations..........................         (744)        419         505
     Loss on Disposal Including Operating
           Losses During the Phase Out Period..       (1,866)          -           -
                                                      ------      ------      ------

          Net Earnings.........................     $    473    $  3,164    $  2,740
                                                    ========    ========    ========

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:

          Continuing Operations................     $    .35    $    .31    $    .26
          Discontinued Operations..............         (.30)        .05         .06
                                                        ----         ---         ---

          Net Earnings Per Common Share........     $    .05    $    .36    $    .32
                                                    ========    ========    ========


           The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of these statements.

                                       17



                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
         FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, DECEMBER 30, 1995
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1994
                              ---------------------
                                 (In Thousands)



                                       Common       Paid-in    Accumulated
                                       Stock        Capital      Deficit        CTA         Total
                                       -----        -------      -------        ---         -----
                                                                           
BALANCE,
     January 1,1994 (Restated)......     $83        $22,207      $(11,936)     $(254)      $10,100
                                         ---        -------      --------      -----       -------
     Net Earnings...................       -              -         2,740          -         2,740
     NOL Utilization and Change in 
          Tax Asset Valuation 
          Allowance.................       -          1,924             -          -         1,924
     Exercise of Employee
          Stock Options.............       -             23             -          -            23
     Change in Cumulative
          Translation Adjustment....       -              -             -       (130)         (130)
BALANCE,
     December 31, 1994 (Restated)...     $83        $24,154       $(9,196)     $(384)      $14,657
                                         ---        -------       --------     -----       -------
     Net Earnings...................       -              -         3,164          -         3,164
     NOL Utilization and Change in
          Tax Asset Valuation 
          Allowance.................       -          3,409             -          -         3,409
     Exercise of Employee
          Stock Options.............       1            121             -          -           122
     Issuance of Deferred
          Warrant...................       -            250             -          -           250
     Change in Cumulative
          Translation Adjustment....       -              -             -        156           156
BALANCE,
     December 30, 1995 (Restated)...     $84        $27,934       $(6,032)     $(228)      $21,758
                                         ---        -------       -------      -----       =======
     Net Earnings...................       -              -           473          -           473
     Exercise of Employee
          Stock Options.............       1            174             -          -           175
     Change in Cumulative
          Translation Adjustment....       -              -             -         44            44
BALANCE
     December 28, 1996..............     $85        $28,108       $(5,559)     $(184)      $22,450
                                         ===        =======       ========     ======      =======



           The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of these statements.

                                       18


                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, DECEMBER 30, 1995
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1994
                              ---------------------
                                 (In Thousands)




                                                                Restated     Restated
                                                      1996        1995         1994
                                                      ----        ----         ----
                                                                    
Cash Flows From Operating
     Activities -
     Net Earnings.................................  $   473      $ 3,164     $ 2,740
     Adjustments to reconcile net
          earnings to net cash provided by
           continuing operating activities-
          Depreciation and
               amortization.......................    2,752        3,024       2,107
          Utilization of N.O.L.'s.................       98         (137)        601
          Discontinued Operations.................    2,610         (419)       (505)

          Cash effects of changes in -
               Accounts receivable................   (5,801)         862      (2,782)
               Inventories........................   (2,636)      (3,147)        812
               Prepaid expenses and
                    other assets..................      (99)         911          28
               Accounts payable...................     (218)       3,071        (785)
               Accrued expenses and
                    other liabilities.............    1,925         (198)      2,463
                                                      -----         -----      -----

     Net Cash (Used in) Provided by
          Continuing Operating Activities.........     (896)       7,131       4,679
     Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
          Discontinued Operating Activities.......    1,311       (2,268)        408
     Net Cash Provided by Operating
          Activities..............................      415        4,863       5,087
                                                        ---        -----       -----

Cash Flows From Investing
     Activities -
     Additions to property and
          equipment...............................  $(2,966)     $(2,728)    $(1,922)
     Proceeds from Sale and Leaseback
          of Discontinued Operations.............     4,800            -           -
     Net cash received from
          sale of investment......................        -        1,337           -
                                                     ------        -----      ------

     Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
          Investing Activities....................    1,834       (1,391)     (1,922)
                                                     -------      -------     -------


                                       19



                   THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SDUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, DECEMBER 30, 1995
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1994
                              ---------------------

                                 (In Thousands)
                                   (Continued)



                                                                Restated     Restated
                                                       1996       1995         1994
                                                       ----       ----         ----
                                                                    
Cash Flows From Financing
     Activities -
     Proceeds from senior
          secured note............................  $     -     $ 15,000    $     -
     Proceeds from credit facility................        -       31,000          -
     Extinguishment of bank debt..................        -      (44,055)         -
     Reduction in revolving credit
          line, net...............................     (425)      (1,000)    (3,366)
     Reduction in term loans......................   (3,597)      (2,932)       (20)
     Proceeds from foreign bank debt..............    2,233        1,200          -
     Cost of financing activities.................        -       (1,726)         -
     Other financing activities, net..............      (22)        (640)       457
                                                         --         ----        ---

     Net Cash Used in
          Financing Activities....................   (1,811)      (3,153)    (2,929)
                                                     -------      ------     ------

     Changes in Cash and Cash Equivalents -
          Net increase in cash
               and cash equivalents...............  $   438     $    319    $   236
          Cash and cash equivalents
               at beginning of year...............      972          653        417
                                                        ---          ---        ---

          Cash and Cash Equivalents
               at end of year.....................  $ 1,410     $    972    $   653
                                                    =======     ========    =======




           The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                    are an integral part of these statements.


                                       20



                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)  NATURE OF OPERATIONS

     The  Middleby  Corporation  (the  "Company")  is  engaged  in  the  design,
     manufacture and sale of commercial and institutional foodservice equipment.
     Its  major  lines  of  products   consist  of  conveyor  ovens,   toasters,
     counter-top cooking and warming equipment, heavy duty gas ovens, convection
     ovens,  broilers,  steamers and semi-custom  fabrication units. The Company
     manufactures  and assembles  most of this equipment at two factories in the
     United States and one operation in the  Philippines.  The Company  conducts
     its  business  principally  through  two  domestic  and  two  international
     business units. Each unit operates primarily on a decentralized basis.

     The  Company's  products  are sold  primarily  to  independent  dealers and
     distributors  and  are  marketed  primarily  through  the  Company's  sales
     personnel and network of independent  manufacturers'  representatives.  End
     user  customers  include  quick  service  restaurant  chains,  general full
     service restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, resorts, supermarkets, convenience
     stores and certain healthcare,  educational and correctional  institutions.
     Included in these  customers  are several large  multi-national  restaurant
     chains which account for a significant  portion of the company's  business,
     although no single customer accounts for more than 10% of net sales.

     The Company  purchases raw materials and component  parts,  the majority of
     which are standard  commodity type  materials,  from a number of suppliers.
     Although  certain  component  parts are procured  from a sole  source,  the
     Company can purchase such parts from alternate vendors.

     The Company has numerous licenses and patents to manufacture,  use and sell
     its products and  equipment.  Certain of these  licenses begin to expire in
     the year 2000. Management believes the loss of any one of these licenses or
     patents  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the  financial  and
     operating results of the Company.


(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     (a)  Basis of Presentation

     The consolidated  financial  statements include the accounts of the Company
     and its  wholly-owned  and  majority-owned  subsidiaries.  All  significant
     intercompany   accounts   and   transactions   have  been   eliminated   in
     consolidation.

     The Company's  fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal
     years 1996, 1995 and 1994 ended on December 28, 1996, December 30, 1995 and
     December 31, 1994, respectively, and each included 52 weeks.


                                       21



     (b)  Accounts Receivable

     Accounts receivable, as shown in the consolidated balance sheets, is net of
     allowances  for doubtful  accounts of $495,000 and $413,000 at December 28,
     1996 and December 30, 1995, respectively.

     (c)  Inventories

     Inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined
     utilizing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory method.  Inventories,  as
     of December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995, are as follows:

                                                 (In Thousands)
                                                1996        1995
                                                ----        ----

          Raw materials and parts.........    $ 6,492      $ 6,338
          Work in process.................      4,621        4,652
          Finished goods..................      9,843        7,330
                                                -----        -----
                                              $20,956      $18,320
                                              =======      =======

     The amounts  shown above are net of inventory  reserves of  $946,000  and
     $1,016,000 as of December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995, respectively.

     (d)  Property, Plant and Equipment

     Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost as follows:

                                                    (In Thousands)
                                                1996             1995
                                                ----             ----

                  Land and improvements...... $ 3,322          $ 3,293
                  Building and improvements..  11,012           10,206
                  Machinery and equipment....  16,250           14,516
                                               ------           ------
                                              $30,584          $28,015

                  Less accumulated
                       depreciation.......... (11,741)         (10,710)
                                              --------         --------

                  Property, Plant and
                       Equipment, net........ $18,843          $17,305
                                              =======          =======


                                       22




     Depreciation  is  provided  for  financial  statement  purposes  using  the
     straight-line method and amounted to $1,594,000,  $1,543,000 and $1,547,000
     in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.  Following is a summary of the
     estimated useful lives:

                          Description                      Life
                          -----------                      ----
                  Land improvements................       7 years
                  Building and improvements........       20 to 40 years
                  Machinery and equipment..........       3 to 10 years

     Expenditures  which  significantly  extend  useful  lives are  capitalized.
     Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

     (e)  Excess Purchase Price Over Net Assets Acquired

     The excess purchase price over net assets acquired is being amortized using
     a  straight-line  method  over  40  years.  Amounts  presented  are  net of
     accumulated  amortization  of $4,216,000  in fiscal 1996 and  $3,759,000 in
     fiscal  1995.  The  Company  periodically  evaluates  the  useful  life and
     realizability  of the excess  purchase price over net assets acquired based
     on current events and circumstances.  Impairments are measured utilizing an
     undiscounted  forecasted income method pertaining to business units and are
     recorded at the time management deems an impairment has occurred.

     (f)  Intangible Assets

     Trademarks, patents, license agreements and other intangibles,  included in
     other assets in the consolidated  balance sheets,  are being amortized on a
     straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 14 years.
     Net recorded  intangible  assets of $243,000 and $364,000 are presented net
     of accumulated amortization of $2,314,000 and $2,193,000 in fiscal 1996 and
     1995, respectively.

     (g)  Accrued Expenses

     Accrued expenses consist of the following:

                                                       (In Thousands)
                                                    1996            1995
                                                    ----            ----
                  Accrued payroll and
                       related expenses....       $ 3,567          $3,200
                  Accrued commissions......         1,392           1,190
                  Accrued warranty.........         1,252             879
                  Other accrued expenses...         3,790           2,806
                                                    -----           -----
                                                  $10,001          $8,075
                                                  =======          ======

                                       23



     (h)  Research and Development Costs

     Research  and  development  costs,   included  in  cost  of  sales  in  the
     consolidated  statements of earnings, are charged to expense when incurred.
     These costs were $1,515,000, $1,438,000 and $1,295,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995
     and 1994, respectively.

     (i)  Earnings Per Share

     Primary  earnings  per share is based upon the weighted  average  number of
     outstanding  shares  of common  stock and  common  stock  equivalents.  The
     weighted average number of shares outstanding was 8,666,000,  8,678,000 and
     8,434,000  shares for the fiscal years 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.
     Fully  diluted  earnings  per common and common  equivalent  shares are not
     presented, since dilution is less than 3%.

     (j)  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     For  purposes of the  consolidated  statements  of cash flows,  the Company
     considers all highly liquid  instruments with a maturity of three months or
     less to be  cash  equivalents.  Cash  paid  for  interest  was  $4,397,000,
     $4,076,000 and $4,060,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Cash
     payments  totaling  $256,000,  $371,000 and  $192,000  were made for income
     taxes during fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     (k)  Use of Estimates

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
     accepted  accounting  principles  requires management to make estimates and
     assumptions  that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
     disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of the
     financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of revenue  and  expenses
     during  the  reporting  period.  Actual  results  could  differ  from those
     estimates.

     (l)  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

     The  carrying  value of all assets and  liabilities  approximates  the fair
     value of those financial instruments.

     (m)  Adoption of Accounting Standards

     In  fiscal  1996,  the  Company  adopted  "SFAS  121:  Accounting  for  the
     Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and  Long-Lived  Assets To Be Disposed Of"
     and "SFAS 123:  Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation."  The adoption of
     these accounting  standards did not have a material impact on the financial
     statements.

                                       24




     (n)  Restatements

     Sale of Discontinued Operations:

     The  financial  statements  presented  have been  restated  for all periods
     presented  to exclude  the  Victory  Refrigeration  Company  which has been
     accounted  for as a  discontinued  operation  (see Note 3 to the  Financial
     Statements).

     Litigation Settlement Accounting:

     During 1996, the Company determined that a better technical  interpretation
     of generally  accepted  accounting  principles  (GAAP) existed for its 1993
     accounting  for the  proceeds  from  its  legal  settlement  with  Hussmann
     Corporation.  The  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (SEC) has concurred
     with this revised accounting treatment. The effect of this change was to 
     record a greater gain from the settlement and restore certain assets 
     related to the 1989 acquisition that were written-off  in the  original  
     accounting for the settlement in 1993.  This accounting has been reflected
     in the historical financial statements. The net effect on the 1993 balance
     sheet was to increase excess purchase price over net assets acquired and 
     fixed assets by $6,930,000 and increase equity by $6,930,000.  The effect
     on the statement of earnings was to increase non-cash amortization charges
     by $276,000 for each year since 1993.


(3)  DISCONTINUED OPERATION

     On January 23, 1997, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of
     the assets of its Victory Refrigeration  Company ("Victory")  subsidiary to
     an investor group led by local  management at Victory.  Gross proceeds from
     the sale are expected to amount to approximately  $7,300,000,  less amounts
     for retained  liabilities and transaction costs  aggregating  approximately
     $2,600,000. The proceeds are subject to post-closing adjustments. The terms
     of the sale were the  results of  arms-length  negotiations.  This sale was
     announced on November 1, 1996,  concluding the sale of all of the assets of
     Victory.  The sale and  leaseback  of the Victory  facility to an unrelated
     third party had  previously  been  completed  on December  27, 1996 for net
     proceeds of approximately $4,556,000. Proceeds from these transactions were
     used to pay down debt.

     The  results of the  Victory  Refrigeration  Company  subsidiary  have been
     reported  separately  as  a  discontinued  operation  in  the  consolidated
     financial  statements  for  all  periods  presented.  The  results  of  the
     discontinued operations are not necessarily indicative of the results which
     may have been obtained had the continuing and


                                       25




     discontinuing operations been operating  independently.  Summarized results
     of the Victory Refrigeration Company are as follows:

                                                          (In Thousands)
                                                   1996        1995      1994
                                                   ----        ----      ----
         Net Sales.............................  $27,261     $32,841   $35,809

         Operating (Loss) Income...............     (458)      1,642     1,572

         (Loss) Earnings Before Taxes..........   (1,111)        603       754

         Provision for Taxes...................     (367)        184       249
                                                    -----        ---       ---

         (Loss) Earnings from Discontinued
               Operations......................     (744)        419       505

         Estimated Loss on Disposal Including
              Operating Results During the
              Phase-out Period.................   (1,866)          -         -
                                                  -------       ----      ----

         Total (Loss) Earnings Related to
              Discontinued Operations..........  $(2,610)    $   419   $   505
                                                 ========    =======   =======


     During the fourth  quarter of 1996,  the Company  provided  for  additional
     losses on disposal of $495,000 net of taxes.  The additional  provision was
     required due to higher than anticipated  operating losses prior to the sale
     of Victory. The loss on disposal of Victory consists primarily of operating
     losses of $1,409,000 during the fourth quarter of 1996 and $457,000 during
     1997 until the sale was completed.  The effective tax rate included in 
     these amounts differs from the U.S. statutory rate due to permanent book
     vs. tax differences.

     Interest  expense of $809,000,  $771,000  and  $818,000 for 1996,  1995 and
     1994,  respectively,  has been  allocated  based  upon the ratio of the net
     assets of the discontinued operations to the consolidated capitalization of
     the Company.  Continuing operations and discontinued operations reflect the
     net tax  expense or tax benefit  generated  by the  respective  operations,
     limited,  however,  by the income tax benefit  recognized  in the Company's
     historical  financial  statements.  No general corporate expenses have been
     allocated to the discontinued operations.

     The net assets of  discontinued  operations  included  in the  Consolidated
     Balance  Sheets at December  28,  1996 and  December  30, 1995  amounted to
     $4,082,000  and  $12,803,000,   respectively,   and  consist  primarily  of
     receivables,  inventory,  and property,  plant and equipment related to the
     discontinued  operations,  net of accounts payable, accrued liabilities and
     closing costs associated with the sale. Property and plant are not included
     in the December 28, 1996 amount, as the sale and leaseback  transaction was
     completed on December 27, 1996.


                                       26




(4)  FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

     The  following is a summary of  long-term  debt as of December 28, 1996 and
     December 30, 1995.

                                                              (In Thousands)
                                                            1996         1995
                                                            ----         ----

                  Senior secured credit facility:
                       Revolving credit line............  $14,575      $15,000
                       Term loans.......................    8,362       11,959
                  Senior secured note...................   15,000       15,000
                  Other.................................    3,331        1,069
                                                            -----        -----

                                                          $41,268      $43,028

                  Less current maturities of
                       long-term debt...................    3,916        1,710
                                                            -----        -----

                                 Total long-term debt...  $37,352      $41,318
                                                          =======      =======


     On January 10, 1995, the Company's  subsidiaries  consummated a $57,500,000
     financing  package to replace the  existing  bank debt and provide  working
     capital for future  growth.  The financing  included a  $42,500,000  senior
     secured  credit  facility  from a group of lenders led by an affiliate of a
     major  international  bank and a $15,000,000  senior secured note placement
     with a major insurance company.

     The senior secured credit  facility  included a $15,000,000  five-year term
     loan, a $2,500,000 capital expenditure  facility renewable annually,  and a
     $25,000,000  revolving  credit line expiring in January,  2000.  Borrowings
     under the  revolving  credit line are limited to specified  percentages  of
     defined accounts receivable and inventories. The credit agreement initially
     permitted  borrowings  for the  term  loan  and  revolving  credit  line at
     floating rates of 2.5% above LIBOR rate or 1% above base rate. The interest
     rate can be  adjusted  quarterly  based  on the  Company's  achievement  of
     defined coverage ratios on a rolling four quarter basis. As of December 28,
     1996,  borrowings  under LIBOR  contracts were at 2.5% above the LIBOR rate
     and borrowings under prime rate contracts were at 1% above the base rate. A
     facility fee of .0625% is payable annually and a commitment fee of .375% is
     charged on the unused portion of the revolving  credit facility and capital
     expenditure facility.  The term loan is repayable in quarterly installments
     that  total  $2,325,000  in 1997,  plus a one-time  payment  of  $1,470,000
     related  to the sale of  Victory  due also in  1997.  Additional  scheduled
     repayments  towards  the  term  loan  will  total  $2,625,000  in 1998  and
     $1,517,000 in 1999. The outstanding  capital  expenditure loans of $425,000
     are  repayable in  quarterly  installments  that total  $100,000 in each of
     1997,  1998,  and 1999 with a lump sum payment of $125,000 or the remaining
     balance on January 2,

                                       27




     2000.  Mandatory  prepayments  are  required in the case of any excess cash
     flow, as defined, or in the event of any sale or disposition of assets. The
     credit facility is secured by a senior security  interest of  substantially
     all property, plant and equipment and all accounts receivable and inventory
     of the Company's domestic subsidiaries.

     As of December 28, 1996, the Company's  revolving credit facility  provided
     $23,650,000  of  total  borrowing   availability.   There  was  $14,575,000
     outstanding  under that  facility at  December  28,  1996.  The Company had
     executed  letters of credit of $632,000  against this facility,  leaving an
     available line of credit of $8,443,000 at December 28, 1996. As of December
     28, 1996, the assets of Victory  Refrigeration  Company provided $5,412,000
     of the  $23,650,000  total borrowing  availability of the revolving  credit
     facility.

     The senior secured note bears interest at 10.99% and has an eight-year term
     maturing January, 2003 with semi-annual payments of $2,500,000 beginning in
     July, 2000. A warrant for the purchase of 250,000 shares of common stock of
     the Company at an exercise  price of $3 per share was issued in conjunction
     with the note.  Alternatively,  the terms of the  warrant  provide  for the
     purchase of 200,000 shares at $.01 per share. The note agreement is secured
     by a  senior  security  interest  in  substantially  all  the  intellectual
     property collateral of the Company's subsidiaries.

     The  terms of the  credit  and  note  agreements  prohibit  the  paying  of
     dividends,  limit capital expenditures and leases, and require, among other
     terms, a minimum amount, as defined,  of shareholders'  equity, and minimum
     ratios  of  current  assets to  current  liabilities,  cash  flow  coverage
     indebtedness  and fixed charged  coverage.  The credit and note  agreements
     also provide that if a material  adverse  change in the Company's  business
     operations or conditions occurs, the lender and noteholder could declare an
     event of default.  The  Company was in  compliance  with all  covenants  as
     amended for the period ending December 28, 1996.

     A foreign  subsidiary  of the  Company  had  borrowings  of  $3,433,000  at
     December  28,  1996,  including  a  $1,700,000  term loan and a  $1,733,000
     omnibus  revolving  credit  line.  The  term  loan is  secured  by the real
     property of the foreign subsidiary. The revolving credit line is guaranteed
     by the  Company.  Interest on both the term loan and the  revolving  credit
     line are at the prevailing  bank rate. The term loan is repayable in twenty
     equal quarterly  installments  starting on March 31, 1998 and the revolving
     credit  line is payable in full on  January 1, 1998 if not  renewed  for an
     additional one-year period.

     The weighted average interest rates under credit  agreements  during fiscal
     1996, 1995 and 1994 were 9.3%, 9.5% and 8.7%, respectively.


                                       28



     The aggregate amount of long-term debt payable during each of the next five
     years is as follows:

                                        (In Thousands)
                1997.......................$ 3,916
                1998.......................$ 4,819
                1999.......................$ 1,963
                2000.......................$17,390
                2001.......................$ 5,340
                Thereafter.................$ 7,840
                                           -------
                      Total................$41,268
                                           =======



(5)   COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK

     (a)  Shares Authorized

     At December  28, 1996 and December  30,  1995,  the Company had  20,000,000
     shares of common stock and 2,000,000  shares of Non-voting  Preferred Stock
     authorized.

     (b)  Warrant

     In  conjunction  with the issuance of the senior  secured notes in January,
     1995  (see Note 4),  the  Company  issued a  transferrable  warrant  to the
     noteholders  for the  purchase  of  250,000  shares of  common  stock at an
     exercise  price of $3 per share.  Alternatively  under certain  conditions,
     which have been met,  the terms of the warrant  provide for the purchase of
     200,000  shares at $.01 per share.  The warrant  provides for adjustment of
     the exercise  price if the Company issues  additional  shares at a purchase
     price below the then current market price,  as defined,  and for adjustment
     of the  number of shares if the  Company  declares  a stock  dividend.  The
     warrant became exercisable on February 10, 1995 and expires July 10, 2003.

     (c)  Stock Options

     The Company  maintains an Amended and Restated  1989 Stock  Incentive  Plan
     (the  "Plan"),  effective  as of February  16,  1989,  which  provides  key
     employees of the Company  rights to purchase  shares of common stock at the
     fair market  value of the stock on the date of grant.  The Plan was amended
     in 1996, by shareholder  approval,  to increase the maximum amount that can
     be issued under the Plan to 400,000 shares from 200,000 shares. Options may
     be exercised upon certain vesting requirements being met but expire, to the
     extent  unexercised,  within a maximum of ten years from the date of grant.
     147,075  shares  remain  available for issue at December 28, 1996 under the
     Plan. The weighted average exercise price of options  outstanding under the
     Plan was $4.43 at December 28, 1996 and $3.10 at December 30, 1995.

                                       29


     In addition to the above Plan,  the  directors  of the Company have options
     for 7,000  shares  exercisable  at  $1.875  per  share  and  75,000  shares
     exercisable at $7.50 per share.

     A summary of stock option activity is presented below.

                                             Key                    Option
         Stock Option Activity            Employees  Directors  Price Per Share
         ---------------------            ---------  ---------  ---------------
         Outstanding at
              December 31, 1994.........   140,000     9,000    $1.25 to $4.38

              Granted...................    39,000         -        $5.63

              Exercised.................   (22,000)        -    $1.25 to $4.38

              Forfeited.................    (2,000)        -        $3.00
                                            -------      ---

         Outstanding at
              December 30, 1995.........   155,000     9,000    $1.25 to $5.63

              Granted...................    60,000    75,000    $5.25 to $7.50

                Exercised...............   (72,500)   (2,000)   $1.25 to $4.38

                Forfeited...............    (5,900)        -    $3.00 to $5.63
                                            -------      ---

         Outstanding at
              December 28, 1996.........   136,600    82,000    $1.25 to $7.50
                                           =======    ======

     The weighted  average fair value of options  granted was $5.78 and $3.82 in
     1996 and 1995,  respectively.  The Company  accounts for options  under APB
     Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation  cost has been recognized.  Had
     compensation cost for

                                       30




     these  options been  recorded,  the  Company's  net income and earnings per
     share would have been reduced as follows:




                                                                   1996           1995
                                                                   ----           ----
                                                                      
         Earnings from Continuing Operations: As Reported       $3,083,000     $2,745,000
                                              Pro Forma         $2,893,000     $2,671,000

         Net Earnings:                        As Reported       $  473,000     $3,164,000
                                              Pro Forma         $  283,000     $3,090,000

         Continuing Operations EPS:           As Reported       $     0.35     $     0.31
                                              Pro Forma         $     0.33     $     0.31

         EPS:                                 As Reported       $     0.05     $     0.36
                                              Pro Forma         $     0.03     $     0.36


     Under SFAS 123,  the fair value of each option  grant is  estimated  on the
     date of grant using the following  general  assumptions  for 1995 and 1996:
     risk-free  interest  rate  of 6.5  percent,  no  expected  dividend  yield,
     expected lives of four to five years,  and an expected  annual  increase in
     stock value of ten percent.


(6)  PROVISION FOR PRODUCT LINE DISCONTINUANCE AND 
     RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

     Company  management  made the decision to  discontinue  the production of a
     unique line of mixers  during the fourth  quarter of 1995.  A provision  of
     $900,000 was recorded  for this  product  line  discontinuance.  The charge
     related to the disposal and  rationalization  of assets associated with the
     product line and its  operations.  No changes in operating  personnel  were
     made as a result of this decision.


(7)  INCOME TAXES

     The Company  accounts  for income  taxes in  accordance  with  Statement of
     Financial  Accounting  Standards  (SFAS)  No.  109  "Accounting  for Income
     Taxes."

     The provision for income taxes for  continuing  operations is summarized as
     follows:

                                                     (In Thousands)
                                             1996         1995         1994
                                             ----         ----         ----
                           Federal          $1,153       $ (385)      $  460
                           State and Local     188          183          144
                           Foreign              48           62           10
                                            ------       ------       ------
                              Total         $1,389       $ (140)      $  614
                                            ======       ======       ======


                                       31



     Although   the  Company  is  not  a  Federal   taxpayer   due  to  its  NOL
     carry-forwards,  a tax  provision  is still  required to be  recorded.  The
     majority of the NOL carry-forwards  expiring prior to 1998 relate to a 1983
     quasi-reorganization  and  were  not  recorded  as  a  credit  to  the  tax
     provision, but were directly credited to paid-in-capital. NOL's expiring in
     1998 and  thereafter  will be  recorded  entirely  as a  credit  to the tax
     provision as they are recognized. Reconciliation of the differences between
     income taxes computed at the Federal statutory rate and effective rate are
     as follows:

                                                       (In Thousands)
                                                  1996      1995     1994
                                                  ----      ----     ----
         U.S. Federal statutory tax rate........  34.0%     34.0%    34.0%
         Utilizations of NOL and reductions
              in valuation allowance............ (19.3)    (65.6)   (18.1)
         Permanent book vs. tax
              differences.......................   1.2      15.5      7.6
         Foreign tax losses and rate
              differentials.....................  11.0       3.7     (7.0)
         State taxes, net of federal
              benefit...........................   4.2       7.0      5.1
                                                   ---       ---      ---
         Consolidated effective tax rate for
              continuing operations.............  31.1%     (5.4%)   21.6%
                                                  =====     ======   =====

     As of December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995, the Company had recorded the
     following  deferred tax assets and liabilities  which were comprised of the
     following:

                                                           (In Thousands)
                                                           1996       1995
                                                           ----       ----
         Deferred Tax Assets:
                   Net operating loss carry-forwards...  $12,073    $13,736
                   Tax credit carry-forwards...........    1,503      1,426
                   Accrued pension benefits............      703        606
                   Accrued warranty....................      641        469
                   Other...............................    1,141        960
                   Valuation allowance.................   (9,437)   (10,515)
                                                         -------    -------
                             Deferred Tax Assets.......    6,624      6,682
         Deferred Tax Liabilities:
                   Depreciation........................   (1,588)    (1,666)
                                                          ------     ------ 
         Net Deferred Tax Assets.......................  $ 5,036    $ 5,016
                                                         =======    =======


                                       32



     As of December 28,  1996,  the  consolidated  tax loss  carry-forwards  for
     Federal  income  tax  purposes  were  approximately  $12,073,000  on a  tax
     effected basis. These carry-forwards expire as follows: $6,849,000 in 1997;
     $3,000 in 1998;  $264,000 in 2001;  $508,000 in 2004;  $1,619,000  in 2005;
     $1,913,000 in 2006; and $917,000 in 2007.  Consolidated business tax credit
     carry-forwards  available  at  December  28,  1996  to  reduce  future  tax
     liabilities were approximately  $898,000 and expire from 1996 through 2000.
     The Company also has tax credits of approximately  $605,000  resulting from
     Federal AMT payments which do not expire.

     The decrease in the gross tax asset and the related Valuation allowance was
     primarily due to the utilization of NOL carryforwards during the year. The
     utilization of the net operating loss and credit carry-forwards depend
     on future taxable income during the applicable carry-forward  periods.
     Management evaluates and adjusts the valuation allowance, based on the
     Company's expected taxable income as part of the annual budgeting process.
     These adjustments reflect management's judgment as to the Company's ability
     to generate  taxable income which will, more likely than not, be sufficient
     to recognize these tax assets.


(8)  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     The  Company  leases  office  and  plant  facilities  and  equipment  under
     operating  leases which expire in fiscal 1997 through 2001.  Rental expense
     was  $692,000,  $816,000  and  $897,000  in fiscal  1996,  1995,  and 1994,
     respectively.  Future  minimum  rental  payments  under these leases are as
     follows:

                                       (In Thousands)
                  1997.................   $782,000
                  1998.................    709,000
                  1999.................    550,000
                  2000.................    552,000
                  2001.................    405,000
                      Thereafter.......          -
                                          --------
                                        $2,998,000
                                        ==========

     In addition to the above,  the Company  entered into an agreement  with the
     landlord  of  the  Victory  Refrigeration  Company  facility  (before  that
     subsidiary was sold - see Note 3) to guarantee  Victory's  lease  payments.
     The duration of this lease guarantee is 19 months. The contingent liability
     related to this  guarantee  totals  approximately  $996,000 at December 28,
     1996. This contingent  liability is scheduled to decrease by  approximately
     $52,400 per month during fiscal 1997.

                                       33



(9)  SEGMENT INFORMATION

     The  Company is  engaged  in the  manufacture  and sale of  commercial  and
     institutional  food cooking and  preparation  equipment for the foodservice
     industry. The Company's principal operations are in the United States, with
     a majority of sales made to domestic dealers and distributors.  No customer
     accounted for 10% or more of sales during fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994.

     Sales  outside  the United  States,  based on dealer  locations,  are given
     below. These export sales represented 37%, 36% and 35% of the Company's net
     sales in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Additionally,  a small
     amount of sales to U.S.  customers are  transshipped by those customers for
     installation at their international locations.

     The  following  represents  net sales as reported by each major  geographic
     region:

                                                      Restated    Restated
                                             1996        1995        1994
                                             ----        ----        ----
                   United States          $ 78,594    $ 67,878     $60,971

                   Asia/Pacific             25,606      20,161      13,641
                   Europe/Other             11,248      10,430       8,986
                   Latin America             5,281       4,036       6,790
                   Canada                    4,036       3,843       3,770
                                             -----       -----       -----
                   Total International      46,171      38,470      33,187

                   Total Net Sales        $124,765    $106,348     $94,158
                                          ========    ========     =======


(10) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     The Company has a  discretionary  profit  sharing plan and a 401(k) savings
     plan for salaried and non-union  hourly  employees.  The company had profit
     sharing expense of $350,000, $325,000 and $300,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and
     1994, respectively.

     The Company  has a defined  benefit  pension  plan for union  hourly  plant
     employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility.  The company's funding policy is
     to  contribute  the minimum  required  by the  Employee  Retirement  Income
     Security  Act of 1974.  The  plan  had  projected  benefit  obligations  of
     $1,911,000  and  $1,653,000  at December  28, 1996 and  December  30, 1995,
     respectively.  The  market  values  of  plan  assets  were  $1,549,000  and
     $1,371,000  at December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995,  respectively.  The
     discount  rates used to determine the projected  benefit  obligations  were
     7.5% and 7.5% for 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The net pension expense for
     this plan was  $155,000,  $140,000 and  $185,000 for fiscal 1996,  1995 and
     1994, respectively.


                                       34


     In fiscal 1993, the Company adopted a non-qualified defined benefit pension
     plan for certain  officers of the  Company  and entered  into a  retirement
     benefit  agreement  with its  President.  The Company also has a retirement
     benefit agreement with its Chairman.  The retirement  benefit is based on a
     percentage  of the  officer's  final base salary and the number of years of
     employment.  The projected benefit  obligations under these agreements were
     $2,067,000  and  $1,812,000  at December  28, 1996 and  December  30, 1995,
     respectively,  and is  currently  unfunded.  The  discount  rates  used  to
     determine the projected benefit obligations were 7.5% and 7.5% for 1996 and
     1995, respectively.  Retirement benefit expense was $255,000,  $255,000 and
     $259,000 in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.


(11) QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)



                                             (In thousands, except per share data)
                                          Restated   Restated    Restated   Restated
                                            1st         2nd        3rd         4th
                                            ---         ---        ---         ---
                                                                
         1996
         ----
         Net sales......................  $29,510     $28,661    $31,400    $35,194
         Gross margin...................    8,567       8,529      9,373     10,966
         Operating income...............    2,288       1,671      2,062      2,656
         Earnings from continuing
              operations................      766         401        624      1,292
         (Loss) earnings from
              discontinued operations...      (80)       (432)    (1,603)      (495)
         Net earnings (Loss)............      686         (31)      (979)       797
         Net earnings (loss) per share:
              Continuing operations.....      .09         .04        .07        .15
              Discontinued operations...     (.01)       (.04)      (.19)      (.06)
         Net earnings (Loss) per common
              share.....................      .08         .00       (.12)       .09
                                              ===         ===       ====        ===


         1995
         ----
         Net sales......................  $25,743     $25,646    $27,558    $27,401
         Gross margin...................    7,667       7,492      8,389      8,959
         Operating income...............    1,836       1,484      2,117      1,459
         Earnings from continuing
              operations................      497         437        739      1,072
        (Loss) earnings from
              discontinued operations...      168         180        144        (73)
         Net earnings...................      665         617        883        999
         Net earnings (loss) per share:
              Continuing operations.....      .06         .05        .08        .12
              Discontinued operations...      .02         .02        .02       (.01)
         Net earnings per common 
              share.....................      .08         .07        .10        .11
                                             ====        ====        ===        ===


                                       35





                            THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION

          SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
            FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996, DECEMBER 30, 1995,
                              AND DECEMBER 31, 1994
                              ---------------------


                                       Balance    Additions    Write-Offs       Balance
                                      Beginning    Charged     During the       At End
                                      Of Period    Expense     the Period      Of Period
                                      ---------    -------     ----------      ---------
                                                                    
         Allowance for
              doubtful accounts;
              deducted from
              accounts receiv-
              able on the
              balance sheets-

                  1994                $345,000     $202,000     $(205,000)      $342,000

                  1995                $342,000     $170,000     $ (99,000)      $413,000

                  1996                $413,000     $117,000     $ (35,000)      $495,000


         Reserve for
              inventory
              obsolescence;
              deducted from
              inventories on
              the balance
              sheets-

                  1994                $940,000     $457,000     $(882,000)      $515,000

                  1995                $515,000     $783,000     $(282,000)    $1,016,000

                  1996              $1,016,000     $209,000     $(279,000)      $946,000



                                       36




Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
- -------  ------------------------------------------------
         Accounting and Financial Disclosure
         -----------------------------------

         None.



                                    PART III

The  information  required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) is incorporated
by reference,  to the extent necessary,  in accordance with General  Instruction
G(3), from the Company's definitive proxy statement filed pursuant to Regulation
14A in connection with the 1997 annual meeting of stockholders.



                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)  1. Financial statements.

          The financial  statements  listed on Page 14 are filed as part of this
          Form 10-K.


     3. Exhibits.

      (3)(i)        Unofficial  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of The
                    Middleby  Corporation  (as  amended  to  August  23,  1996),
                    incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q/A,
                    Amendment No. 1, Exhibit 3(i),  for the fiscal quarter ended
                    June 29, 1996, filed on August 23, 1996;

      (3)(ii)       Unofficial  Amended  and  Restated  Bylaws  of The  Middleby
                    Corporation (as amended to August 23, 1996), incorporated by
                    reference to the  Company's  Form 10-Q/A,  Amendment  No. 1,
                    Exhibit  3(ii),  for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996,
                    filed on August 23, 1996;

      (4)(a)        Certificate  of  Designations  dated  October 30, 1987,  and
                    specimen  stock   certificate   relating  to  the  Company's
                    Preferred   Stock,   incorporated   by  reference  from  the
                    Company's Form 10-K,  Exhibit (4), for the fiscal year ended
                    December 31, 1988, filed on March 15, 1989;


                                       37





      (4)(b)        Loan and Security  Agreement  dated  January 9, 1995, by and
                    among Middleby Marshall Inc. and Asbury Associates, Inc., as
                    Borrowers,  certain lenders named therein,  as Lenders,  and
                    Sanwa  Business  Credit  Corporation,  as Agent and  Lender,
                    incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Company's  Form  10-K,
                    Exhibit  (4) (b),  for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                    1994, filed on March 31, 1995;

      (4)(b)(i)     First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, incorporated
                    by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q,  Exhibit (4)(b)(i),
                    for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996,  filed on 
                    August 13, 1996;

      (4)(b)(ii)    Second  Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as
                    of December 26, 1996;

      (4)(b)(iii)   Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of
                    January 22, 1997;

      (4)(c)        Note Agreement  dated as of January 1, 1995,  among Middleby
                    Marshall  Inc.  and Asbury  Associates,  Inc.  as  Obligors,
                    incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Company's  Form  10-K,
                    Exhibit  (4) (c),  for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                    1994, filed on March 31, 1995;

      (4)(c)(i)     Amendment No. 1 to Note Agreement, incorporated by reference
                    to the Company's Form 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(c)(i), for the 
                    fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996, filed August 13, 1996;

      (4)(c)(ii)    Amendment No. 2 to Note Agreement, incorporated by reference
                    to the  Company's  Form 10-Q,  Exhibit  (4)(c)(ii),  for the
                    fiscal  quarter  ended  June 29,  1996,  filed on August 13,
                    1996;

      (4)(c)(iii)   Amendment No. 3 to Note Agreement, dated as of August 15, 
                    1996;

      (4)(c)(iv)    "Second Amendment" (Amendment No. 4) to Note Agreement, 
                    dated as of January 15, 1997;

      (4)(d)        Warrant to purchase common stock of The Middleby Corporation
                    dated  January 10,  1995,  incorporated  by reference to the
                    Company's  Form 10-K,  Exhibit (4) (d),  for the fiscal year
                    ended December 31, 1994, filed on March 31, 1995;

                                       38


      (4)(e)        Intercreditor Agreement dated as of January 10, 1995, by and
                    among  Sanwa  Business  Credit  Corporation,  as Agent,  the
                    Northwestern  Mutual Life Insurance  Company,  as the Senior
                    Noteholder,  and  First  Security  Bank  of  Utah,  National
                    Association,  as  Security  Trustee  and  collateral  Agent,
                    incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Company's  Form  10-K,
                    Exhibit  (4) (e),  for the fiscal  year ended  December  31,
                    1994, filed on March 31, 1995;

      (4)(e)(i)     Amendment No. 1 to Intercreditor Agreement,  incorporated by
                    reference to the Company's Form 10-Q, Exhibit (4)(e)(i), for
                    the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996,  filed on August 13,
                    1996;

      (4)(e)(ii)    Amendment No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement,  incorporated by
                    reference to the Company's  Form 10-Q,  Exhibit  (4)(e)(ii),
                    for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 1996,  filed on 
                    August 13, 1996;

      (10)(iii)(a)* Amended  and  Restated  Employment  Agreement  of William F.
                    Whitman,  Jr.,  dated  January  1,  1995,   incorporated  by
                    reference to the Company's Form 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(iii)(a),
                    for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 1995;

      (10)(iii)(b)* Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of David P. Riley,
                    dated  January 1, 1995,  incorporated  by  reference  to the
                    Company's  10-Q,  Exhibit  (10)  (iii)  (b) for  the  fiscal
                    quarter ended April 1, 1995;

      (10)(iii)(c)* Amended and Restated  Employment  Agreement  of  independent
                    directors  adopted as of January  1, 1995,  incorporated  by
                    reference to the Company's Form 10-Q, Exhibit (10)(iii)(c),
                    for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 1995;

      (10)(iii)(d)* The Middleby  Corporation  Amended and  Restated  1989 Stock
                    Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to the
                    Company's Form 10-Q,  Exhibit  (10)(iii)(d),  for the fiscal
                    quarter ended June 29, 1996, filed on August l3, 1996;

      (10)(iii)(e)* 1993  Performance  Bonus Plan  (Corporate  Vice  Presidents)
                    incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Company's  Form  10-K,
                    Exhibit 10 (iii) (g),  for the fiscal year ended  January 1,
                    1994, filed on March 31, 1994;

                                       39



      (10)(iii)(f)* 1996 Management  Incentive Plan (Corporate Vice Presidents),
                    incorporated by reference to Company's Form 10-Q, 
                    Exhibit 10(iii)(f), for the fiscal quarter ended 
                    June 29, 1996, filed  on August 13, 1996;

      (10)(iii)(g)* Description of Supplemental Retirement Program, incorporated
                    by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's  Form 10-Q,
                    Exhibit 10 (c), for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 1993,
                    filed on August 25, 1993;

      (10)(iii)(h)* The Middleby Corporation Stock Ownership Plan,  incorporated
                    by reference to the Company's Form 10-K, 
                    Exhibit (10)(iii)(m), for the fiscal  year ended  
                    January 1, 1994,  filed on March 31, 1994;

      (10)(iii)(i)* Amendment to The Middleby  Corporation  Stock Ownership Plan
                    dated as of January 1, 1994;  incorporated  by  reference to
                    the  Company's  Form 10-K,  Exhibit  (10) (iii) (n), for the
                    fiscal year ended December 31,1994, filed on March 31, 1995;

      (10)(iii)(j)  Agreement of Purchase and Sale of the Company's Cherry Hill,
                    New Jersey  facility,  with attached lease,  incorporated by
                    reference to the Company's Form 10-Q, Exhibit  (10)(iii)(j),
                    for the fiscal  quarter ended  September 28, 1996,  filed on
                    November 12, 1996;

      (10)(iii)(k)  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  among  Middleby  Marshall  Inc.,
                    Victory  Refrigeration Company and Victory Acquisition Group
                    dated  December 27, 1996,  incorporated  by reference to the
                    Company's Form 8-K, Exhibit (10)(iii)(k),  filed on February
                    7, 1997;

      (22)          List of subsidiaries;

      (27)          Financial Data Schedules (EDGAR only);

      (99)          Unaudited Pro Forma  Financial Information, incorporated  by
                    reference to the  Company's Form 8-K, Exhibit (99), filed on
                    September 7, 1995;

          *    Designates management contract or compensation plan.

(b)  There were no reports on Form 8-K in the fiscal fourth quarter of 1996.
     Subsequent to the end of the period, on February 10, 1997, the Company 
     filed a Current Report on Form 8-K to report the completion of its sale of
     the Victory Refrigeration Company subsidiary.

(c)  See the financial statement schedule included under Item 8.

                                       40


                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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,  on the 28th of March,
1997.

                            THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION

                                              BY: /s/ David P. Riley
                                                  ------------------
                                                  David P. Riley
                                                  President, Chief Executive
                                                  Officer

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 28, 1997.

                  Signatures                          Title
                  ----------                          -----

         PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

         /s/  David P. Riley                 President, Chief Executive Officer,
         -------------------                 and Director
         David P. Riley                


         PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND
         ACCOUNTING OFFICER

         /s/  John J. Hastings               Executive Vice President, Chief
         ---------------------               Financial Officer, Secretary and
         John J. Hastings                    Treasurer
                                             


         DIRECTORS

         /s/  William F. Whitman, Jr.        Chairman of the Board and Director
         ---------------------------- 
         William F. Whitman, Jr.

         /s/  Newell Garfield, Jr.           Director
         -------------------------  
         Newell Garfield, Jr.

         /s/  Robert R. Henry                Director
         -------------------- 
         Robert R. Henry

         /s/  A. Don Lummus                  Director
         ------------------ 
         A. Don Lummus

                                       41




         /s/  John R. Miller, III            Director
         ------------------------ 
         John R. Miller, III

         /s/  Philip G. Putnam               Director
         --------------------- 
         Philip G. Putnam

         /s/  Sabin C. Streeter              Director
         ---------------------- 
         Sabin C. Streeter

         /s/  Joseph G. Tompkins             Director
         -----------------------
         Joseph G. Tompkins

         /s/  Laura  B. Whitman              Director
         ---------------------- 
         Laura B. Whitman

         /s/  Robert L. Yohe                 Director
         -------------------  
         Robert L. Yohe


                                       42