SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 22, 2004

                            THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

                           Commission File No. 1-9973


                 Delaware                                36-3352497
      (State or Other Jurisdiction of        I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      Incorporation or Organization)

        1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois                60120
       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)


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













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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS


      (c)  Exhibits.


           99.1 Press release dated July 22, 2004 of The Middleby Corporation.


ITEM 9.  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE


On July 22, 2004, The Middleby Corporation issued a press release announcing its
financial results for the quarter ended July 3, 2004. A copy of that press
release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.


The information in this Form 8-K is being furnished pursuant to "Item 12.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition" of Form 8-K in accordance with
SEC Release Nos. 33-8216 and 34-47583 (March 27, 2003). Such information,
including any exhibits, shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by
reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as
expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

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                                    SIGNATURE

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


                                       THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                                       ----------------------------
                                                         (Registrant)
Date:  July 22, 2004

                                       By:  /s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
                                              ----------------------------
                                              Timothy J. FitzGerald
                                              Vice President,
                                              Chief Financial Officer




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