Frank Ricchio -Retires from Star/Middleby

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Middleby Announces New Division President

The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) announced that Nestor Ibrahim has been promoted to the president of the Star Manufacturing Group, overseeing the six Middleby counterline equipment brands in this division. John Perruccio has been promoted to president of Southbend, taking the previous role from Ibrahim.

Ibrahim will succeed Frank Ricchio who is retiring after 28 years of service with Star Manufacturing. As President of Star, based in St. Louis, Mr. Ibrahim will be responsible for the sales, marketing and manufacturing operations of the group, which includes the Star, Holman, Lang, Wells, Bloomfield and Toastmaster brands. Ibrahim brings more than 15 years of experience in the foodservice equipment manufacturing industry to his new position. He joined Middleby in 2003.

John Perruccio has been promoted to president of Southbend, based in Fuquay-Varina,
N.C. Previously he was vice president of sales for Southbend. Before joining Southbend,
he was vice president of sales for Toastmaster. He first joined Middleby in 2003.

"I want to thank Frank Ricchio for his commitment and dedication to Star Manufacturing and Middleby. Frank recently led the strategy to consolidate our counterline cooking operations, strengthening the competitive position and profitability of this combined group of brands. Frank's deep industry experience brought so much to all of the Middleby Companies and has been an asset to our entire organization. We wish him nothing but the best in his retirement," said Selim A. Bassoul, Chairman and CEO of The Middleby Corporation.

"Under Nestor's leadership I am confident we will continue to grow our position as the premiere brands in counterline cooking. In this expanded role, Nestor’s experience will be an asset to all of the brands under his leadership." "John is extremely well-qualified to lead Southbend, as he spearheaded an industry first with 'buildmyrange.com' and other key initiatives for Southbend over the past few years," Bassoul continued. “We know he will excel in his new role and he has our full support.”