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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Ps4DBcHGgvHaLA7USeTB9egO+Q2rRuEQWxqYJuMvGV+5vkTRhc/pGxl0zAvOTW3R
 S8okLBo4N0pTsk3Ct6LT2w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-012934.txt : 20031217
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-012934.hdr.sgml : 20031217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031217202113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-012934
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MIDDLEBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000769520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
		IRS NUMBER:				363352497
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BASSOUL SELIM A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001246380

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09973
		FILM NUMBER:		031061054

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 TOASTMASTER DR
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			61200
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8477413300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MIDDLEBY CORP
		STREET 2:		1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			8477413300
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-10-23</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000769520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MIDDLEBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>midd</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001246380</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BASSOUL SELIM A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6 HUBBELL COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BARRINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Option to buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>18.47</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>125000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>18.47</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2003-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>125000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>385000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
<derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Option to buy</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>18.47</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>100000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>18.47</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><value>2003-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-10-23</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>100000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>485000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Options granted on October 23, 2003 in accordance with the Middleby Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and approved by shareholders on December 15, 2003. Shares vest immediately and expire in 10 years. grant price equals the closing price of Middleby corporation common stock on October 23, 2003.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Options granted on October 23, 2003 in accordance with the Middleby Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and approved by shareholders on December 15, 2003. Options vest at the earlier of the following - 100% of options vest on October 28, 2008 or 20% when Midd common stock 20 day avg equals 36, 20% when 20 day avg equals 37, 20% when 20 day avg equals 38, 20% when 20 day avg equals 39, and 20% when 20 day avg equals 40. Grant price equals the closing price of Middleby corporation common stock on October 23, 2003.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>Selim A. Bassoul</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-17</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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