Christopher Hix joins Middleby (NASDAQ: MIDD) board and audit committee

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

The Middleby Corporation announced that its Board of Directors appointed Christopher M. Hix as a director effective February 1, 2026. He will also serve on the Board’s Audit Committee.

Mr. Hix will receive the standard nonemployee director compensation, consisting of an annual cash retainer and an annual grant of restricted stock units, as described in Middleby’s March 28, 2025 definitive proxy statement. The company states there are no arrangements or understandings with any other person regarding his selection and no related party transactions involving him that require disclosure.

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UNITED STATES

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): February 1, 2026

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware		1-9973		36-3352497
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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

(847) 741-3300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock		MIDD		The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

On February 1, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of The Middleby Corporation (the “Company”) appointed Christopher M. Hix as a director of the Company. In connection with his appointment to the Board, Mr. Hix has been appointed to serve as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board.

Mr. Hix will participate in the compensation arrangements for nonemployee members of the Board described in the Definitive Proxy Statement of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2025, which currently consists of an annual cash retainer and an annual grant of restricted stock units.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Hix and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Hix. was selected as a director and Mr. Hix is not a participant in any related party transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release, dated February 4, 2026, issued by The Middleby Corporation.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.

				THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
Date: February 4, 2026				By:		/s/ Bryan E. Mittelman
						Bryan E. Mittelman
						Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did The Middleby Corporation (MIDD) disclose in this 8-K?

The Middleby Corporation disclosed that its Board appointed Christopher M. Hix as a new director, effective February 1, 2026, and named him to the Audit Committee. The filing also lists a related press release as an exhibit.

Who is Christopher M. Hix in relation to The Middleby Corporation (MIDD)?

Christopher M. Hix has been appointed as a director on Middleby’s Board and as a member of its Audit Committee, effective February 1, 2026. He will serve as a nonemployee director and receive the standard Board compensation program described in the March 28, 2025 proxy.

What committee will Christopher M. Hix serve on at Middleby (MIDD)?

Christopher M. Hix will serve on The Middleby Corporation’s Audit Committee in addition to his role as a Board director. The Audit Committee oversees financial reporting and related matters as designated by the Board’s governance structure and charter.

How will Christopher M. Hix be compensated as a Middleby (MIDD) director?

As a nonemployee director, Christopher M. Hix will participate in Middleby’s standard Board compensation program, described in its March 28, 2025 definitive proxy statement. This currently includes an annual cash retainer and an annual grant of restricted stock units.

Are there any related party transactions involving Christopher M. Hix at Middleby (MIDD)?

The company states that Christopher M. Hix is not involved in any related party transactions that must be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. It also notes there are no arrangements or understandings with any person through which he was selected as a director.

What exhibits are included with this Middleby (MIDD) 8-K filing?

The filing includes a press release dated February 4, 2026 as Exhibit 99.1 and a cover page interactive data file as Exhibit 104. The interactive data file contains the cover page XBRL tags embedded within the Inline XBRL document.