MIDDLEBY CORP
10-Q, 1996-08-13
REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY
Previous: FIRST COMMERCE BANCSHARES INC, 10-Q, 1996-08-13
Next: CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS CO, 10-Q, 1996-08-13



<PAGE>



                                      FORM 10-Q

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


(Mark One)

         X    Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
         ---     Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                     FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 29, 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          (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 Number, including Area Code       (847)  741-3300
                                                   ----------------------------


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 twelve (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
    ----         ----


As of June 29, 1996, there were 8,402,488 shares of the registrant's common
stock outstanding.


<PAGE>




                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                             QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29, 1996


                                        INDEX

DESCRIPTION                                                                 PAGE

PART I.       FINANCIAL INFORMATION

              Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements

                        BALANCE SHEETS                                       1
                             June 29, 1996 and December 30, 1995

                        STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS                               2
                             June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995

                        STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                             3
                             June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995

                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                        4

              Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis                 7
                          of Financial Condition and Results of
                          Operations


PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION                                              9


<PAGE>

PART I.                         FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ---------------------------------------------------

                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                                 (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS                                          JUNE 29, 1996      DEC. 30, 1995
- ----------------------------------------------  --------------     -------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents.....................     $1,092                $981
Accounts Receivable, net......................     21,953              16,236
Inventories, net..............................     28,853              26,584
Prepaid Expenses and Other....................      1,986                 980
Current Deferred Taxes........................      2,086               2,086
                                                     -----               -----
     Total Current Assets.....................     55,970              46,867

Property, Plant and Equipment, net of
   accumulated depreciation of
   $15,213,000 and $14,475,000................     25,424              24,273

Excess Purchase Price Over Net Assets
   Acquired, net of accumulated amortization
   of $3,481,000 and $3,341,000...............      7,637               7,777

Deferred Taxes................................      2,930               2,930

Other Assets..................................      1,904               2,193
                                                     -----               -----
          Total Assets........................    $93,865             $84,040
                                                   -------             -------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt..........    $ 2,482             $ 1,710
Accounts Payable..............................     16,080              14,026
Accrued Expenses..............................      9,197               9,756
                                                     -----               -----
     Total Current Liabilities................     27,759              25,492

Long-Term Debt................................     47,541              41,318

Minority Interest and Other
   Non-current Liabilities....................      1,918               1,782

Shareholders' Equity:
   Preferred Stock, $.01 par value;
      nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares
      authorized; none issued.................          -                   -

   Common Stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000
      shares authorized; 8,402,000 and
      8,388,000 issued and outstanding in
      1996 and 1995, respectively.............         84                  84
   Paid-in Capital............................     28,299              27,934
   Cumulative Translation Adjustment..........       (188)               (228)
   Accumulated Deficit........................    (11,548)            (12,342)
                                                   -------             -------
   Total Shareholders' Equity.................     16,647              15,448
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders'      -------             -------
              Equity..........................    $93,865             $84,040
                                                   -------             -------
                                                   -------             -------

                                See accompanying notes


                                        - 1 -


<PAGE>


                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                     (UNAUDITED)

 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED            SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                               ---------------------------  ---------------------------
                                               JUNE 29, 1996  JULY 1, 1995  JUNE 29, 1996  JULY 1, 1995
                                               -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Net Sales...................................    $37,233        $34,559        $75,556        $69,553

Cost of Sales...............................     27,344         25,092         55,485         50,368
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
            Gross Margin....................      9,889          9,467         20,071         19,185

Selling and Distribution Expenses...........      5,752          4,936         10,829          9,787
General and Administrative Expenses.........      2,739          2,355          5,281          4,708
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
            Income from Operations..........      1,398          2,176          3,961          4,690

Interest Expense and Deferred
   Financing Costs..........................      1,322          1,346          2,618          2,612
Other Expense (Income), Net.................         39           (202)           142            (86)
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
            Earnings before Income Taxes....         37          1,032          1,201          2,164

Provision for Income Taxes..................          -            338            407            727
                                                                    ---            ---            ---
            Net Earnings....................        $37           $694           $794         $1,437
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
Earnings per Common and Common
   Equivalent Share.........................       $.00           $.08           $.09           $.17
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------
                                                --------       --------       --------       -------

</TABLE>

 
                                See accompanying notes


                                        - 2 -


<PAGE>

                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (UNAUDITED)
                                    (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     JUNE 29, 1996  JULY 1, 1995
                                                     -------------  ------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities-
   Net Earnings....................................       $794         $1,437
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
      cash provided by operating activities-
      Depreciation and amortization................      1,236          1,464
      Utilization of Subsidiary NOL's credited to
         paid-in capital (See Note 2)..............        325            580
      Changes in assets and liabilities-
      Accounts receivable..........................     (5,717)          (322)
      Inventories..................................     (2,269)        (4,308)
      Prepaid expenses and other assets............       (503)           393
      Accounts payable and other liabilities.......      1,495          1,756
                                                        -------        -------
   Net Cash (Used In)/ Provided by
      Operating Activities.........................     (4,639)         1,000
                                                        -------        -------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities-
   Additions to property and equipment.............     (2,218)        (1,133)
   Proceeds from sale of investment................          0          1,337
                                                        -------        -------
   Net Cash (Used In)/Provided by
      Investing Activities.........................     (2,218)           204
                                                        -------        -------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities-
   Proceeds from senior secured note...............          -         15,000
   Proceeds from credit facility...................          -         31,000
   Extinguishment of bank debt.....................          -        (44,055)
   Increase in revolving credit line, net..........      4,735          1,161
   Other financing activities, net.................      1,758         (1,573)
   Cost of financing activities....................                    (1,717)
   Proceeds from capital expenditure loan, net.....        475              -
                                                        -------        -------
   Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing
      Activities...................................      6,968           (184)
                                                        -------        -------
Changes in Cash and Cash Equivalents-
   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.......        111          1,020
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
      of year......................................        981            667
                                                        -------        -------
   Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period......     $1,092         $1,687
                                                        -------        -------
                                                        -------        -------

Interest paid......................................     $2,264         $1,767
                                                        -------        -------
                                                        -------        -------
Income taxes paid..................................        $61           $236
                                                        -------        -------
                                                        -------        -------

                                See accompanying notes


                                        - 3 -

<PAGE>

                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                    JUNE 29, 1996

                                     (UNAUDITED)


1)  Basis of Presentation

    The financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby Corporation
    (the "Company"), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of
    the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote
    disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
    condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the
    Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
    not misleading.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction
    with the financial statements and related notes contained in the Company's
    1995 Annual Report.  Other than as indicated herein, there have been no
    significant changes from the data presented in said Report.

    In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all
    adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the
    Company as of June 29, 1996 and December 30, 1995, and the results of
    operations for the three and six months ended June 29, 1996 and July 1,
    1995, respectively, and cash flows for the six months ended June 29, 1996
    and July 1, 1995, respectively.


2)  Income Taxes

    The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return.  In January,
    1993 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
    109 ("SFAS 109"), Accounting for Income Taxes.  SFAS 109 requires the
    recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax
    consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial
    statements or tax returns.  Adoption of SFAS 109 was effected through the
    cumulative catch-up method.

    The Company has recorded an income tax provision of $407,000 for the fiscal
    six months ended June 29, 1996.  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 relate to an old
    quasi-reorganization and are not recorded as a credit to the tax provision,
    but are directly credited to paid-in-capital.


                                        - 4 -

<PAGE>

    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.


3)  Earnings Per Share

    Earnings per share of common stock are based upon the weighted average
    number of outstanding shares of common stock and common stock equivalents.
    The treasury stock method is used in computing common stock equivalents,
    which include stock options and a warrant issued in conjunction with the
    senior secured note.  The terms of the warrant provide for the purchase of
    250,000 shares at $3 per share, however, under certain conditions, which
    have been met, the warrant terms provide for the purchase of 200,000 shares
    at $.01 per share.  Earnings per share were computed based upon the
    weighted average number of common shares outstanding of 8,715,000 and
    8,693,000 for the fiscal quarters ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995,
    respectively, and 8,707,000 and 8,678,000 for the fiscal year-to-date
    periods ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995, respectively.


4)  Inventories

    Inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out method.

    Inventories consist of the following:

                                                     (In Thousands)
                                            June 29, 1996     December 30, 1995
                                            -------------     -----------------
    Raw Materials and Parts                   $10,408               $10,356
    Work-in-Process                             6,169                 6,688
    Finished Goods                             12,276                 9,540
                                              -------               -------
                                              $28,853               $26,584
                                              -------               -------
                                              -------               -------


                                        - 5 -

<PAGE>

5)  Accrued Expenses

    Accrued expenses consist of the following:
                                                     (In Thousands)
                                               June 29, 1996   December 30, 1995
                                               -------------   -----------------
    Accrued payroll and related expenses        $3,074              $3,838
    Accrued commissions                          1,662               1,567
    Accrued warranty                             1,532               1,382
    Other accrued expenses                       2,929               2,969
                                                -------             -------
                                                $9,197              $9,756
                                                -------             -------
                                                -------             -------

6)  Certain amounts have been reclassified in 1995 to be consistent with the
    1996 presentation.


                                        - 6 -

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED).


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 estimates of future performance and
are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors which could cause
actual results 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

Net sales for the quarter ended June 29, 1996 increased $2,674,000 (7.7%) to
$37,233,000, compared to $34,559,000 in the prior year's quarter ended July 1,
1995.  Net sales for the six-month period ended June 29, 1996 increased
$6,003,000 (8.6%) to $75,556,000, compared to $69,553,000 in the prior year's
six-month period ended July 1, 1995.  The overall sales increase was largely due
to unit volume increases (rather than price).  Cooking and warming equipment
manufacturing divisions reported a sales increase of 5%, while sales of the
refrigeration equipment division decreased 2%.  Within the cooking and warming
equipment manufacturing divisions, sales of the Company's core cooking and
steaming equipment line increased substantially, while sales of conveyor oven
equipment decreased slightly as certain major customers deferred store openings
in overseas markets.  Within the refrigeration equipment division, sales to the
foodservice market increased 23%, while sales of merchandisers to the soft drink
bottler industry declined significantly.  International sales increased 17%
overall and accounted for 29% of total sales for the quarter compared to 27% in
the 1995 fiscal second quarter. Sales of the Company's international-based
fabricated equipment division increased 24% during the quarter.

Gross margin increased $422,000 (4.5%) to $9,889,000 for the quarter compared to
the prior year's quarter.  Gross margin for the six-month period increased
$886,000 (4.6%) to $20,071,000 compared to the prior year's six-month period.
The increase in gross margin is primarily due to higher sales.  As a percentage
of net sales, gross margin decreased 0.8% to 26.6% for the quarter compared to
27.4% in the prior year's quarter, while year-to-date gross margins have
decreased 1.0% to 26.6%.  The decline in gross margin percentage was primarily
related to product mix, operational inefficiencies at the


                                        - 7 -

<PAGE>

Company's refrigeration unit, a decline in sales of merchandisers to the soft
drink bottler industry, and start-up/move costs associated with the Company's
new Philippine manufacturing facility.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1,200,000 (16.5%) and
$1,615,000 (11.1%) for the three and six-month periods, respectively.  Increased
expenses reflect promotional expenses for new products and dealer programs and
the expansion of international sales and service capabilities.  During the
second quarter, the Company opened a sales and distribution office in Taiwan and
completed the move of its Philippine based fabrication equipment division into
a newly constructed manufacturing facility.  As a percentage of sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses increased to 22.8% for the quarter ended
June 29, 1996, compared to 21.1% for the prior year's quarter, and to 21.3% for
the six-month period ended June 29, 1996 compared to 20.8% for the prior year's
six-month period.

Other income for the prior year quarter ended July 1, 1995 included a gain from
the sale of a discontinued product line and proceeds from a value-added tax
settlement in Canada.

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs for the fiscal
quarter ended June 29, 1996 increased $24,000 (1.8%) compared to the prior year
quarter,  and was only slightly higher at $2,618,000 in the year-to-date period
compared to $2,612,000 in the prior year-to-date period.  Increases in the
amortization of deferred financing costs have been offset by lower interest
costs in both the quarter and year-to-date periods compared to the prior year.

The Company recorded net earnings of $37,000 for the fiscal quarter ended 
June 29, 1996 compared to net earnings of $694,000 for the prior year 
quarter.  Year-to-date earnings were $794,000 for the six-month period ended 
June 29, 1996 compared to net earnings of $1,437,000 for the six months ended 
July 1, 1995.  The second quarter results reflect lower operating results at 
the Company's refrigeration unit due to a decline in sales, operational 
inefficiencies, and organizational restructuring and at the Philippine 
fabricated equipment division due to start-up/move costs.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

For the six months ended June 29, 1996, net cash provided by operating
activities before changes in assets and liabilities was $2,355,000, as compared
to $3,481,000 for the six months ended July 1, 1995.  Net cash used by operating
activities after changes in assets and liabilities was $4,639,000 as compared to
net cash provided of $1,000,000 in the prior year-to-date period.  Receivables
and inventories have increased $5,717,000 and $2,269,000 respectively, due to
the increase in sales


                                        - 8 -

<PAGE>

volume, expansion of international manufacturing and distribution operations,
timing of orders with certain larger customers and the introduction of new
products.  These increases were partly offset by increased accounts payable.

During the fiscal quarter, the Company increased its borrowings under its credit
agreements by $1,569,000 primarily to finance an increase in inventories and
capital expenditures.  For the fiscal year-to-date period, the Company increased
its borrowings by $6,968,000, principally to finance increases in accounts
receivables, inventories and capital expenditures related to the international
expansion.  On June 29, 1996, there was $23,180,000 available to borrow under
the revolving credit facility, of which $19,735,000 was outstanding.

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.


PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

The Company was not required to report the information pursuant to Items 1
through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for any of the three months ended June 29,
1996, except as follows:

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

On May 16, 1996, the Company held its 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  The
following persons were elected as directors to hold office until the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders:   Newell Garfield, Jr., A. Don Lummus, John R. Miller,
III, Philip G. Putnam, David P. Riley, Sabin C. Streeter, William F. Whitman,
Jr., Joseph G. Tompkins, Laura B. Whitman, Robert L. Yohe and Robert R. Henry.
The number of shares cast for, withheld and abstained with respect to each of
the nominees were as follows:

    Nominee             For          Withheld         Abstained
    -------         ---------        --------         ---------
    Garfield        7,482,885         30,218              0
    Lummus          7,483,485         29,618              0
    Miller          7,478,285         34,818              0
    Putnam          7,478,285         34,818              0
    Riley           7,483,485         29,618              0
    Streeter        7,483,385         29,718              0
    Whitman, W.     7,481,260         31,843              0
    Tompkins        7,476,968         36,118              0
    Whitman, L.     7,477,997         35,106              0
    Yohe            7,477,360         35,743              0
    Henry           7,482,185         30,918              0


                                        - 9 -

<PAGE>

The stockholders also voted to approve the ratification of the selection of
Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year
ending December 28, 1996.  7,502,062 shares were cast for such selection, 9,390
shares were cast against such selection, and 1,651 shares abstained.

No broker nonvotes were received in connection with the 1996 Annual Meeting.


ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a)  Exhibits - The following Exhibits are filed herewith:

         Exhibit (4)(b)(i) -      First Amendment to 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.

         Exhibit (4)(c)(i) -      Amendment Number One to Note Agreement dated
                                  as of January 1, 1995, among Middleby
                                  Marshall Inc. and Asbury Associates, Inc. as
                                  Obligers.

         Exhibit (4)(c)(ii) -     Amendment Number Two to Note Agreement dated
                                  as of January 1, 1995, among Middleby
                                  Marshall Inc. and Asbury Associates, Inc. as
                                  Obliger.

         Exhibit (4)(e)(i) -      Amendment One to the 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.

         Exhibit (4)(e)(ii) -     Amendment Two to the 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.

         Exhibit (10)(iii)(d) -   The Middleby Corporation Amended and Restated
                                  1989 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.


                                        - 10 -

<PAGE>

         Exhibit (10)(iii)(f) -   1996 Management Incentive Plan (Corporate
                                  Vice Presidents).

         Exhibit (22) -           List of Subsidiaries.

         Exhibit (27) -           Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR only)

b)  Reports on Form 8-K - No such reports were filed during the quarter for
    which this report is filed.





                                      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 thereunto duly authorized.


                               THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                               ------------------------
                                     (Registrant)



Date: August 13, 1996                       By: /s/  John J. Hastings
      --------------------                      ---------------------------

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



                                        - 11 -

<PAGE>

                 FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


          This FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Amendment")
is made as of March 28, 1996, by and among MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC., a Delaware
corporation having its principal place of business and chief executive office at
1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60127 ("MMI"), ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.,
a Florida corporation having its chief executive office at 10340 USA Today Way,
Miramar, Florida 33025 ("AAI"), VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation having an office at 1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60127
("Victory"), VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation having an
office at 1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60127 ("Victory
International"), the lenders who are or who may from time to time become
signatories hereto ("Lenders"), and SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation having an office at One South Wacker Drive, Chicago,
Illinois 60606 ("SBCC"), as agent for the Lenders hereunder (SBCC, in such
capacity, being "Agent").  MMI, AAI, Victory and Victory International are
sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as "Borrowers" and individually
as a "Borrower".


                                R E C I T A L S:

          A.   MMI, AAI, Lenders and Agent are party to that certain Loan and
Security Agreement dated as of January 9, 1995 (the "Loan Agreement") which, as
amended, provides for a total credit facility of up to $42,500,000 in the form
of a revolving line of credit, a term loan, a capital expenditure loan and a
commitment to issue letters of credit.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Loan
Agreement.

<PAGE>

          B.   MMI and AAI desire to take the following actions:  (i) transfer
the assets of the Victory Refrigeration Plant owned and operated by MMI (the
"Victory Reorganization") to Victory which is a newly created wholly-owned
subsidiary of Victory International which is a newly created wholly-owned
subsidiary of MMI, (ii) the reorganization of the ownership of MMI's Philippine
operations (the "Philippine Reorganization"), (iii) the qualification of MMI in
the State of Florida under the assumed name of "Middleby Factory Service
Company" (the "Factory Service Tradename Change"), (iv) the possible
organization of a Japanese subsidiary corporation of MMI under Japanese law (the
"Japan Subsidiary") which will act as a distributor of MMI products in Japan,
not less than 51% of the stock of such Japan Subsidiary to be owned by MMI (the
"Japanese Distribution Change"), and (v) the possible organization of a
Taiwanese subsidiary corporation of MMI under Taiwanese law (the "Taiwanese
Subsidiary") which will act as a distributor of MMI products in Taiwan, not less
than 80% of the stock of such Taiwanese Subsidiary to be owned by MMI (the
"Taiwanese Distribution Change").  The Victory Reorganization, the Philippine
Reorganization, the Factory Service Tradename Change, the Japanese Distribution
Change and the Taiwanese Distribution Change are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "1996 Changes".

          C.   MMI, AAI, Lenders and Agent desire to amend and modify certain
provisions of the Loan Agreement.  Upon the date on which each of the conditions
set forth in Section 2 of this Amendment have been satisfied, all such
amendments shall be deemed effective as of December 31, 1995 (the "Effective
Date").

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                        2
<PAGE>


          SECTION 1.     AMENDMENT TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT.  MMI, AAI, Lenders and
Agent agree that the Loan Agreement is, as of the  Effective Date, amended as
follows:

          1.1  The preamble to the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
it in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

               THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is made this 9th day of January,
               1995 by and among MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC., a Delaware corporation
               ("MMI"), having its chief executive office at 1400 Toastmaster
               Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60127, ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC., a Florida
               corporation ("AAI") having its chief executive office at 10340
               USA Today Way, Miramar, Florida 33025, VICTORY REFRIGERATION
               COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("Victory") having an office at
               1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois 60127, VICTORY
               INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Victory
               International") having an office at 1400 Toastmaster Drive,
               Elgin, Illinois 61027, the Lenders who are or who may from time
               to time become signatories hereto ("Lenders"), and SANWA BUSINESS
               CREDIT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation having an office at
               One South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 ("SBCC"), as
               agent for the Lenders hereunder (SBCC, in such capacity, being
               "Agent").  MMI, AAI, Victory and Victory International are
               sometimes hereafter collectively referred to as "Borrowers" and
               individually as a "Borrower".

          1.2  Section 1.1 is hereby amended by deleting the definition
"Guarantor" in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

               GUARANTOR - Middleby Philippines Corporation, a Republic of the
               Philippines corporation.

          1.3  Section 9.2(L) is hereby amended by deleting such section in its
entirety and replacing it with the following:

                    (L)  SUBSIDIARIES - Hereafter create any Subsidiary or
               divest themselves of any material assets by transferring them to
               any Subsidiary of either Borrower, except as otherwise permitted
               herein; provided, however, that MMI may create (i) a Delaware
               subsidiary named Victory International, Inc., which may in turn
               create a Delaware subsidiary named Victory Refrigeration Company
               and certain assets owned by MMI and located in New Jersey as of
               December 31, 1995 may be transferred from MMI to Victory
               Refrigeration Company, (ii) a Taiwanese Subsidiary so


                                        3
<PAGE>


               long as the shares of such Taiwanese Subsidiary owned by MMI are
               pledged to the Agent, (iii) a Philippines Subsidiary named the
               Middleby Philippines Corporation so long as the shares of
               Middleby Philippines Corporation owned by MMI are pledged to the
               Agent, and (iv) a Japan Subsidiary so long as the shares of such
               Japan Subsidiary owned by MMI are pledged to the Agent.

          1.4  EXHIBIT D to the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding to
Exhibit D(1) the following:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NAME OF OPERATION     LOCATION ADDRESS                   TYPE

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Middleby Factory      6306 Benjamin Road                 Leased Sales
 Service Company       Suite 612                          Office/Warehousing
                       Tampa, Florida  33634              Administrative

                       757 S. Kirkman Road
                       Orlando, Florida  32811

                       2918 NW 28th Street
                       Lauderdale Lakes, Florida  33311

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          1.5  EXHIBIT G to the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding to
Exhibit G(2) the following:

               Middleby Factory Service Company

          1.6  Victory and Victory International will become Borrowers under the
Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents and each reference to Borrowers therein
will be a reference to MMI, AAI, Victory and Victory International.

          SECTION 2.     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS
AMENDMENT.  The amendments to the Loan Agreement embodied in this Amendment
shall not be effective (in which case such agreement shall remain in full force
and effect unamended by this Amendment) unless and until the following
conditions precedent have been satisfied:


                                        4
<PAGE>


          (a)  this Amendment shall have been executed by the parties hereto;

          (b)  an opinion of D'Ancona & Pflaum, counsel to the Borrowers, to the
effect that:  (A) this Amendment has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Borrowers, has been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrowers and constitutes the legal, valid and binding contract
of the Borrowers enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of
whether the application of such principles is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law); (B) no approval, consent or withholding of objection on the
part of, or filing or regulation or qualification with, any governmental body,
Federal, state or local, is necessary in connection with the execution, delivery
and performance of this Amendment or any other agreements being delivered by the
Borrowers in connection with the 1996 Changes; (C) the execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrowers of this Amendment or any other agreement being
delivered in connection with the 1996 Changes do not conflict with or result in
the breach of any of the provisions of, or constitute a default under or result
in the breach of any of the provisions of, or constitute a default under or
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property of the
Borrowers pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Borrowers
or any agreement, license or other instrument known to such counsel to which any
of the Borrowers is a party or by which any of such Borrowers may be bound; and
such opinion shall cover such other matters relating to this Amendment and the
1996 Changes as the Lenders may reasonably request;

          (c)  The Borrowers shall have entered into amendments to the
Intangible Term Loan Documents in connection with the 1996 Changes;


                                        5
<PAGE>


          (d)  The First Amendment to the Intercreditor Agreement in the form of
EXHIBIT A hereto shall have been executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

          (e)  With respect to the Victory Reorganization, those contracts,
agreements, certificates and other documents described in Section 3 hereof, each
of which will be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, shall have
been delivered;

          (f)  With respect to the Philippine Reorganization, those contracts,
agreements, certificates and other documents described in Section 4 hereof, each
of which will be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, shall have
been delivered; and

          (g)  The Parent shall have delivered its consent to the 1996 Changes
and reaffirmed its obligations under the Support Agreement, by its execution and
delivery of the Parent Support Letter in the form of EXHIBIT B hereto.

          SECTION 3.     VICTORY COMPANY REORGANIZATION.  Prior to or
simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Borrowers
shall have delivered the following:

          (a)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between Victory International, as
pledgor and debtor, and the First Security Bank of Utah, National Association
(the "Security Trustee"), as pledgee and secured party, in the form of EXHIBIT C
hereto, providing for the pledge and grant of a first and perfected security
interest in all the capital stock of Victory owned by Victory International (the
"Victory Stock Pledge Agreement"), as additional security for the payment of the
Obligations and the performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under the
Loan Agreement;

          (b)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor, and
the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in the form of EXHIBIT D
hereto, providing for a pledge and grant of a first and perfected security
interest in all the capital stock of Victory


                                        6
<PAGE>


International owned by MMI (the "Victory International Stock Pledge Agreement"),
as additional security for the payment of the Obligations and the performance of
the obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Agreement;

          (c)  UCC-1 financing statements (and/or other financing statements or
similar notices thereof if and to the extent permitted by applicable law) shall
have been recorded or filed for record in such public offices as deemed
necessary by the Agent and their counsel in order to perfect the Lien and
security interest granted or conveyed thereby;

          (d)  a Mortgage Assumption Agreement delivered by Victory (the
"Victory Assumption of Mortgage") with respect to the First Mortgage executed
and delivered by MMI on the initial Closing Date with respect to those
properties of MMI then located in the State of New Jersey; and

          (e)  such documents and evidence with respect to Victory as the
Lenders may reasonably request in order to establish the existence and good
standing of Victory and the authorization of the transactions contemplated by
the Victory Reorganization and this Amendment. 

          SECTION 4.     PHILIPPINE REORGANIZATION.  Prior to or simultaneously
with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Borrowers shall have
delivered, or shall have caused FAB-Asia, Inc., a Philippine corporation ("FAB-
Asia"), or Middleby Philippine Corporation, a Philippine corporation ("MPC"), to
deliver, the following:

          (a)  representations by the Borrowers to the following effect:

               (i)    MMI owns or controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 80% of the capital stock (and any securities convertible at
          any time and from time to time into capital stock) of FAB-Asia;


                                        7
<PAGE>


               (ii)   MMI owns or controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 80% of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock (and
          any securities convertible at any time and from time to time into
          capital stock) of MPC;

               (iii)  FAB-Asia is a holding company whose principal function is
          to hold title to the land on which a new manufacturing facility is
          being built for the MMI operation in the Philippines;

               (iv)   FAB-Asia will lease the land upon which the manufacturing
          operations are located to MPC;

               (v)    MPC has substantially completed construction of the new
          manufacturing facility located on the land it has leased from FAB-
          Asia;

               (vi)   FAB-Asia has transferred all of its assets (other than (A)
          the land on which the manufacturing facility is located, (B) certain
          equipment having a value of $160,000 which equipment FAB-Asia has
          agreed to transfer to MPC not later than July 1, 1996 and (C) non-
          transferable tax credits, withholding taxes and organizational costs
          of $90,000) to MPC;

               (vii)  PCI Bank has consented to the assumption by MPC of FAB-
          Asia's existing mortgage loan from PCI Bank and the documentation
          between PCI Bank, MPC and FAB-Asia provides that MPC shall be the
          borrower thereunder; no additional approval, consent, or withholding
          of objection from PCI Bank or any other Person is necessary to confirm
          that the credit line between PCI Bank and FAB-Asia is available at all
          times to MPC;

               (viii) MPC is authorized to guaranty all outstanding indebtedness
          of the Borrowers; and


                                        8
<PAGE>


               (ix)   The Philippine Board of Investments has approved the
          eligibility of MPC for certain tax incentives effective September 12,
          1995.

          (b)  a Subsidiary Guaranty from MPC (the "MPC Guaranty") in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent in the form of EXHIBIT E hereto;

          (c)  such documents and evidence with respect to MPC and FAB-Asia as
the Agent shall have requested in order to establish the existence and good
standing of MPC and FAB-Asia, respectively;

          (d)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor, and
the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in the form of EXHIBIT D
hereto providing for the pledge and grant of a first and perfected security
interest in all the capital stock of MPC owned by MMI (the "MPC Stock Pledge
Agreement"), as additional security for the payment of the Obligations and the
performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Agreement;

          (e)  certain security documents requested by Agent (and/or financing
statements or similar notices thereof, if and to the extent permitted or
required by applicable law) shall have been recorded to filed for record in such
public offices as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Agent in order
to perfect the lien and security interest granted or conveyed thereby (the "MPC
Security Documents"); and

          (f)  a copy of the consent of the Philippine Board of Investments as
described in Section 4(a)(ix) hereof.


                                        9
<PAGE>


          SECTION 5.  TAIWANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES.

          In the event that Borrowers decide to organize the Taiwanese
Subsidiary, the Borrowers shall deliver or shall cause the Taiwanese Subsidiary
to deliver, the following:

          (a)  representations by the Borrowers to the following effect:

               (i)    MMI owns and controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 80% of the capital stock (and any securities convertible at
          any time and from time to time into capital stock) of the Taiwanese
          Subsidiary;

               (ii)   MMI has capitalized the Taiwanese Subsidiary in an amount
          not to exceed U.S. $200,000; and

               (iii)  Taiwanese Subsidiary is authorized to guarantee all
          outstanding indebtedness of the Borrowers, including the Obligations;

          (b)  such documents and evidence with respect to the Taiwanese
Subsidiary  as Agent shall have requested in order to establish the existence
and good standing of the Taiwanese Subsidiary;

          (c)  a Subsidiary Guaranty from Taiwanese Subsidiary (the "Taiwanese
Subsidiary Guaranty") in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent; and

          (d)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor, and
Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in a form satisfactory to Agent,
providing for the pledge and grant of a first and perfected security interest in
all the capital stock of Taiwanese Subsidiary (the "Taiwanese Subsidiary Stock
Pledge Agreement") held by MMI, as additional security for the payment of the
Obligations and the performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under the
Loan Agreement.


                                       10
<PAGE>


          SECTION 6.  JAPANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES.

          In the event that Borrowers decide to organize the Japanese
Subsidiary, the Borrowers shall deliver or shall cause Japanese Subsidiary to
deliver, the following:

          (a)  a representation by the Borrowers to the following effect:

               (i)    MMI owns and controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 51% of the capital stock (and any securities convertible at
          any time and from time to time into capital stock) of Japanese
          Subsidiary;

               (ii)   MMI has capitalized Japanese Subsidiary in an amount not
          to exceed U.S. $800,000; and

               (iii)  Japanese Subsidiary is authorized to guaranty all
          outstanding indebtedness of the Borrowers, including the Obligations;

          (b)  such documents and evidence with respect to Japanese Subsidiary
as the Agent shall have requested in order to establish the existence and good
standing of Japanese Subsidiary;

          (c)  a Subsidiary Guaranty from Japanese Subsidiary (the "Japanese
Subsidiary Guaranty") in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent; and

          (d)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor, and
the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in a form acceptable to
Agent providing for the pledge and grant of a first and perfected security
interest in all the capital stock of Japanese Subsidiary (the "Japanese
Subsidiary Stock Pledge Agreement") held by MMI, as additional security for the
payment of the Obligations and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers
under the Loan Agreement.


                                       11
<PAGE>


          SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWERS.  Each
Borrower represents and warrants that:

          (a)  the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Amendment
has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action or any other
necessary action on their respective parts;

          (b)  this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each
Borrower;

          (c)  this Amendment and the Loan Agreement are and will be, legal,
valid and binding obligations of each Borrower, enforceable against each
Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be
subject to (i) the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

          (d)  the representations, warranties and covenants contained in
Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Loan Agreement are true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the Effective Date as if made on such date;

          (e)  no Default or Event of Default under the Loan Agreement has
occurred and is continuing; and

          (f)  since November 30, 1995 there has been no material adverse change
in the business, financial or other conditions of any Borrower, or in the
collateral securing the Obligations or in the prospects of any Borrower.


                                       12
<PAGE>


          SECTION 8.  REFERENCE TO AND EFFECT ON LOAN AGREEMENT. 

          (a)  On and after the Effective Date, each reference in the Loan
Agreement to "this Agreement," "hereunder," "hereof," "herein," or words of like
import, and each reference to any of such agreements in any of the other
documents delivered in connection therewith, shall mean and be a reference to
the Loan Agreement as amended hereby.

          (b)  Except as specifically amended above, the Loan Agreement and the
Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby in all
respects ratified and confirmed.

          (c)  Notwithstanding this Amendment, Lender is not in any way
obligated to further modify, extend or amend any Loan Documents or to forebear
or forestall any collection efforts or other remedies it may have under the Loan
Documents or at law.

          (d)  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall
not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy of the Lender under the Loan Agreement or any of the Loan
Documents.

          SECTION 9.  COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS.  Each Borrower has heretofore
executed and delivered to the Lender certain Loan Documents and each Borrower
hereby acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding the execution and delivery
of this Amendment, the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect and the
rights and remedies of the Lender thereunder, the obligations of each Borrower
thereunder and the liens and security interests created and provided for
thereunder remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected, impaired
or discharged hereby.  Nothing herein contained shall in any manner affect or
impair the priority of the liens and security interests created and provided for
in the Loan Documents as to the indebtedness which would be secured thereby
prior to giving effect to this Amendment.


                                       13
<PAGE>


          SECTION 10.  EXPENSES.  The Borrowers agree to pay on demand all costs
and expenses of or incurred by the Lender in connection with the negotiation,
preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other instruments
and documents executed and delivered in connection with the transactions
described herein (including the filing or recording thereof), including the fees
and expenses of counsel for the Lender.

          SECTION 11.  EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  This Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute but
one and the same instrument.

          SECTION 12.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Amendment shall be governed and
construed with reference to the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to
principles of conflicts of law.

          SECTION 13.  HEADINGS.  Section headings in this Amendment are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a
part of this Amendment for any other purposes.


                                       14
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed in Chicago,
Illinois, on the day and year specified at the beginning hereof.

BORROWERS:

MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.                  VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY


By:                                     By:
   ---------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Its:                                    By:                                     
    --------------------------------       -------------------------------------

ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.                 VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC.


By:                                     By:                                     
   ---------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Its:                                    Its:                                    
    --------------------------------        ------------------------------------

SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT                   THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT
CORPORATION, as Agent and Lender        INC., as Lender


By:                                     By:                                     
   ---------------------------------       -------------------------------------
Its:                                    Its:                                    
    --------------------------------        ------------------------------------


                                       15

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                       AND

                             ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.




                        FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE AGREEMENT



                            Dated as of March 1, 1996




              Re:        Note Agreement Dated as of January 1, 1995

                                       and

                     $15,000,000 10.99% Senior Secured Notes

                              Due January 10, 2003

                                       and

                        Warrant to Purchase Common Stock




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION                              HEADING                                PAGE

SECTION 1.         Amendments to the Original Note Agreement                   2

     Section 1.1.  Amendment to Section 5.11 of the Original Note Agreement    2

     Section 1.2.  Amendment to Section 5.12 of the Original Note Agreement    2

     Section 1.3.  Amendment to Section 5.14 of the Original Note Agreement    3

     Section 1.4.  Amendment to Section 5.15 of the Original Note Agreement    3

     Section 1.5.  Revisions to Section 5.22 of the Original Note Agreement    3

     Section 1.6.  Amendment to Section 5.22 of the Original Note Agreement    3

     Section 1.7.  Amendments to Section 8 of the Original Note Agreement      4

SECTION 2.         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT                                        5

SECTION 3.         VICTORY COMPANY REORGANIZATION                              7

SECTION 4.         PHILIPPINE REORGANIZATION                                   9


                                       -2-
<PAGE>


SECTION 5.         MIDDLEBY FACTORY SERVICE                                   12

SECTION 6.         TAIWANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES                             12

SECTION 7.         JAPANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES                              13

SECTION 8.         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS        13

SECTION 9.         MISCELLANEOUS                                              14

     Section 9.1.  Effective Date                                             14

     Section 9.2.  Successors and Assigns                                     14

     Section 9.3.  Counterparts                                               14

     Section 9.4.  Fees and Expenses                                          14

     Section 9.5.  No Legend Required                                         14

     Section 9.6.  Governing Law                                              14

Schedule I -- Noteholder Identification

Exhibit A  -- Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit B  -- Representations and Warranties of the Obligors

Exhibit C  -- Form of Parent Support Letter

Exhibit D  -- Form of Amended Note

Exhibit E  -- Form of Victory Stock Pledge Agreement


                                       -3-
<PAGE>


Exhibit F  -- Form of Victory International Stock Pledge Agreement

Exhibit G  -- Form of Amendment No. 2 to the Security Agreement

Exhibit H  -- Form of MPC Guaranty

Exhibit I  -- Form of MPC Stock Pledge Agreement


                                       -4-
<PAGE>


Middleby Marshall Inc.
First Amendment to Note Agreement


                             MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                       AND

                             ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                        FIRST AMENDMENT TO NOTE AGREEMENT

              Re:        Note Agreement Dated as of January 1, 1995

                                       and

                     $15,000,000 10.99% Senior Secured Notes

                              Due January 10, 2003

                                       and

                        Warrant to Purchase Common Stock


                                                                     Dated as of
                                                                   March 1, l996


The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
720 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Note Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995 (the
"ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT"), between and among Middleby Marshall Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("MMI"), Asbury Associates, Inc., a Florida corporation ("ASBURY";
Asbury and MMI each hereinafter sometimes individually referred to as an
"OBLIGOR" and collectively as the "ORIGINAL OBLIGORS"), and you, under and
pursuant to which $15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes Due
January 10, 2003 (the "NOTES") were originally issued.  Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in
the Original Note Agreement.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>


     The Original Obligors desire to undertake the following, namely, (i) the
transfer of assets at the Victory Refrigeration Plant owned and operated by MMI
to Victory Refrigeration Company ("VICTORY"), a Delaware corporation and a
Wholly-owned Subsidiary of Victory International, Inc. ("VICTORY
INTERNATIONAL"), a Wholly-owned Subsidiary of MMI (the "VICTORY REORGANIZATION")
(each of Victory and Victory International being hereinafter sometimes
individually also referred to as an "OBLIGOR" and collectively with the Original
Obligors as the "OBLIGORS"), (ii) the reorganization of the ownership of MMI's
Philippine operations in a manner other than that contemplated by Section
5.22(A) of the Original Note Agreement (the "PHILIPPINE REORGANIZATION"), (iii)
the undertaking of certain operations in Florida and other states under the
tradename "Middleby Factory Service Company" (the "FACTORY SERVICE TRADENAME
CHANGES"), (iv) the organization of a Subsidiary under Japanese law to act as a
distributor of products in Japan, not less than 51% of the stock of which
Subsidiary shall be owned by MMI (the "JAPANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES"), and (v)
the organization of a Subsidiary under Taiwanese law to act as a distributor of
products in Taiwan, not less than 80% of the stock of which Subsidiary shall be
owned by MMI (the "TAIWANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES").  The Victory
Reorganization, the Philippine Reorganization, the Factory Service Tradename
Changes, the Japanese Distribution Changes and the Taiwanese Distribution
Changes are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "1996 CHANGES."

     Pursuant to Section 7 of the Note Agreement, the holders of at least 51% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes must consent to any
amendments of the Note Agreement or the Security Documents in connection with
the Obligors' accomplishing the 1996 Changes.  Since you are the holder of 100%
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Obligors hereby
request that you accept the amendments set forth below.  On the Effective Date
(as hereinafter defined) this instrument shall


                                       -6-
<PAGE>


constitute an agreement which amends and restates the Note Agreement in the
respects hereinafter set forth.  

SECTION 1.     AMENDMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT.

     SECTION 1.1.   AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5.11 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 5.11(a) of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended
by deleting the period at the end of clause (9) thereof and replacing it with ";
and" and by adding a clause (10) thereto to read as follows:

          (10) Indebtedness of MPC, FAB-Asia, the Japanese Subsidiary or the
          Taiwanese Subsidiary PROVIDED that (i) FAB-Asia shall have no
          Indebtedness except mortgage Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed
          $500,000 outstanding on the Effective Date, (ii) no such Indebtedness
          shall be secured by any Lien upon property or assets of any Obligor or
          any other Subsidiary, and (iii) no Obligor or other Subsidiary shall
          be liable with respect to such Indebtedness except to the extent that
          any Guaranty by the Obligors of obligations incurred by, together with
          the Investment of the Obligors or any other Subsidiary in and to, (x)
          FAB-Asia or MPC shall not exceed $2,200,000 in the aggregate in U.S.
          dollars at any time, (y) the Japanese Subsidiary shall not exceed
          $600,000 in U.S. dollars at any time or (z) the Taiwanese Subsidiary
          shall not exceed $200,000 in U.S. dollars at any time.

     SECTION 1.2.   AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5.12 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 5.12 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended by
deleting the period at the end of clause


                                       -7-
<PAGE>


(m) thereof and replacing it with "; and" and by adding a clause (n) thereto to
read as follows:

          (n)  Liens securing Indebtedness of MPC, FAB-Asia, the Japanese
          Subsidiary or the Taiwanese Subsidiary, in each case incurred in
          compliance with the applicable limitations set forth in Section
          5.11(a)(10).

     SECTION 1.3.   AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5.14 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 5.14 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended by
revising clause (a) thereof to read as follows:

          (a)  Investment by the Obligors and their respective Subsidiaries in
          and to Subsidiaries, including any Investment in a corporation which,
          after giving effect to such Investment, will become a Subsidiary of an
          Obligor or one of its Wholly-owned Subsidiaries; PROVIDED that in no
          event shall the Investment of the Obligors in and to, together with
          any Guaranty by the Obligors of obligations incurred by, (i) FAB-Asia
          or MPC exceed $2,200,000 in the aggregate in U.S. dollars at any time,
          or (ii) the Japanese Subsidiary exceed $600,000 in U.S. dollars at any
          time, or (iii) the Taiwanese Subsidiary exceed $200,000 in U.S.
          dollars at any time; PROVIDED FURTHER, that in each case the
          Investments described in clause (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be
          limited to the amounts set forth above without regard to whether the
          Obligors would otherwise be permitted to make a greater Investment in
          FAB-Asia, MPC, the Japanese Subsidiary or the Taiwanese


                                       -8-
<PAGE>


          Subsidiary within the limitations of clause (k) of this Section 5.14; 

     SECTION 1.4.   AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5.15 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 5.15(b) of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended
by revising clause (1) thereof to read as follows:

          (1)  (x) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of assets of a
          Subsidiary of MMI to MMI or a Wholly-owned Subsidiary of MMI and (y)
          the transfer on December 29, 1995 of all tangible assets of MMI
          located in the State of New Jersey to Victory; or

     SECTION 1.5.   REVISIONS TO SECTION 5.22 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
The documents and procedures set forth in Section 4 hereof with respect to the
Philippine Reorganization shall supersede the comparable provisions of Section
5.22(a) of the Original Note Agreement and fulfillment of the conditions set
forth in Section 4 hereof shall be deemed to constitute compliance with the
provisions of Section 5.22(a) of the Original Note Agreement.

     SECTION 1.6.   AMENDMENT TO SECTION 5.22 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 5.22 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended by
revising clause (d) thereof to read as follows:

          (d)  MMI shall at all times, directly or indirectly, own not less than
          (i) 51% of the issued and outstanding capital stock (and any
          Securities convertible at any time and from time to time into the
          capital stock) of the Japanese Subsidiary and of its Subsidiaries,
          (ii) 40% of the outstanding capital stock (and any Securities
          convertible at any time and from time to time into the capital stock)
          of


                                       -9-
<PAGE>


          FAB-Asia and its Subsidiaries, (iii) 80% of the issued and outstanding
          capital stock (and any Securities convertible at any time and from
          time to time into the capital stock) of Asbury, MPC and the Taiwanese
          Subsidiary and their respective Subsidiaries and (iv) 100% of the
          issued and outstanding capital stock of each other Subsidiary, in each
          case free and clear of all Liens, other than the Liens permitted by
          Section 5.12(f) and (g) and in each case, other than directors'
          qualifying shares.

Section 5.22 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, further
amended by adding thereto clause (e) to read as follows:

          (e)  MMI will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
          enter into any agreement which would restrict any Subsidiary's ability
          or right to pay dividends to, or make advances to or Investments in,
          MMI or, if such Subsidiary is not directly owned by MMI, the "parent"
          Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

Section 5.22 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, further
amended by revising clause (c) thereof to read as follows:

          (c)  The Obligors will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries
          which becomes a Subsidiary (other than the Japanese Subsidiary and the
          Taiwanese Subsidiary) after the Closing Date to become a party to a
          Subsidiary Guaranty within ten Business Days thereafter and to deliver
          an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the
          holders of


                                      -10-
<PAGE>


          at least 51% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes to the
          effect set forth in clause (iv) of Section 5.22(a)(2) with respect to
          such Subsidiary.

     SECTION 1.7.   AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 8 OF THE ORIGINAL NOTE AGREEMENT. 
Section 8.1 of the Original Note Agreement shall be, and is hereby, amended by
adding thereto the following definitions:

          "FINANCE COMPANY LOAN AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain Loan and
     Security Agreement dated as of January 9, 1995 as amended March 28, 1996
     among the Obligors, Sanwa Business Credit Corporation, as agent and lender,
     and the Finance Company Lenders named therein.

          "JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a Subsidiary yet to be created which
     will be a corporation duly organized under the laws of Japan, and any
     Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets of such
     Subsidiary.

          "MPC" shall mean Middleby Philippines Corporation, a Republic of the
     Philippines corporation, and any Person who succeeds to all, or
     substantially all, of the assets and business of Middleby Philippines
     Corporation.

          "OBLIGORS" shall mean Asbury, MMI, Victory and Victory International.

          "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
     Section 1.4 and shall also include each and every Subsidiary Guaranty and
     Additional Pledge Agreement delivered pursuant to this Note Agreement and
     shall include the Victory International Security Documents and the Victory
     Security Documents.

          "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" shall mean MPC and each other Subsidiary of any
     of the Obligors which becomes a party to any Subsidiary Guaranty delivered
     pursuant to this Note Agreement.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>


          "TAIWANESE SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a Subsidiary yet to be created which
     will be a corporation duly organized under the laws of Taiwan, and any
     Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets and
     business of such Subsidiary.

          "VICTORY" shall mean Victory Refrigeration Company, a Delaware
     corporation, and any Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of
     the assets and business of Victory Refrigeration Company.

          "VICTORY INTERNATIONAL" shall mean Victory International, Inc., a
     Delaware corporation and parent corporation of Victory, and any Person who
     succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets and business of
     Victory International, Inc.

          "VICTORY INTERNATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall mean, collectively,
     the Victory Stock Pledge Agreement and Amendment No. 2 to the Security
     Agreement.

          "VICTORY SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall mean, collectively, the Amendment
     No. 2 to the Security Agreement and the Victory Assumption of Mortgage.

     SECTION 2.     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     The effectiveness and validity of this Amendment to the Note Agreement is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

          (a)  The Holders of the Notes shall have received the following, all
     of which must be satisfactory in form and substance to such Holders:

               (i)  this First Amendment to Note Agreement and the Amended Note,
          each duly executed by the Obligors;

               (ii) an opinion of D'Ancona & Pflaum, special counsel to the
          Obligors, to the effect that:  (A) this First Amendment to Note
          Agreement and the Amended Note


                                      -12-
<PAGE>


          have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
          part of the Obligors, has been duly executed and delivered by the
          Obligors and constitutes the legal, valid and binding contract of the
          Obligors enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
          bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws
          affecting creditors' rights generally, and general principles of
          equity (regardless of whether the application of such principles is
          considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (B) no approval,
          consent or withholding of objection on the part of, or filing or
          registration or qualification with, any governmental body, Federal,
          state or local, is necessary in connection with the execution,
          delivery and performance of this First Amendment to Note Agreement,
          the Amended Note or any other agreements being delivered by the
          Obligors in connection with the 1996 Changes; (C) the execution,
          delivery and performance by the Obligors of this First Amendment to
          Note Agreement, the Amended Note or any other agreement being
          delivered in connection with the 1996 Changes do not conflict with or
          result in the breach of any of the provisions of, or constitute a
          default under or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon
          any property of the Obligors pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation
          or By-laws of the Obligors or any agreement, license or other
          instrument known to such counsel to which either of the Obligors is a
          party or by which either of such Obligors may be bound; and such
          opinion shall cover such other matters relating to this First
          Amendment to Note Agreement, the Amended Note and the 1996 Changes as
          the Holders of the Notes may reasonably request.

               (b)  This First Amendment to Note Agreement shall have


                                      -13-
<PAGE>


          been executed and delivered by the Holders of all outstanding Notes.

               (c)  The Obligors shall have entered into amendments to the
          Finance Company Loan Agreement in connection with the 1996 Changes.   

               (d)  Amendment Agreement No. 2 to the Intercreditor Agreement in
          the form of Exhibit A hereto shall have been executed and delivered by
          the parties thereto.

               (e)  With respect to the Victory Reorganization, those contracts,
          agreements, certificates and showings described in Section 3 hereof,
          each of which will be in form and substance satisfactory to you and
          your special counsel, shall have been delivered.

               (f)  With respect to the Philippine Reorganization, those
          contracts, agreements, certificates and showings described in Section
          4 hereof, each of which will be in form and substance satisfactory to
          you and your special counsel, shall have been delivered.

               (g)  With respect to the Factory Service Tradename Changes, those
          agreements and showings described in Section 5 hereof, each of which
          will be in form and substance satisfactory to you and your special
          counsel, shall have been delivered.

               (h)  The Parent Corporation shall have delivered its consent to
          the 1996 Changes and reaffirmed its obligations under the Support
          Agreement, by its execution and delivery of the Parent Support Letter
          in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

     SECTION 3.     VICTORY COMPANY REORGANIZATION.

     Prior to or simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this First
Amendment to Note Agreement, the Original Obligors shall have delivered, or
shall have caused Victory and Victory


                                      -14-
<PAGE>


International, as the case may be, to deliver, the following:

          (i)  a Note delivered by the Obligors, in the form of Exhibit D hereto
     (the "AMENDED NOTE") in exchange for the Note delivered on the initial
     Closing Date;

          (ii) a Stock Pledge Agreement between Victory International, as
     pledgor and debtor, and First Security Bank of Utah, National Association
     (the "SECURITY TRUSTEE"), as pledgee and secured party, in the form of
     Exhibit E hereto, providing for the pledge and grant of a first and
     perfected security interest in all the capital stock of Victory owned by
     Victory International (the "VICTORY STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT"), as additional
     security for the payment of the Notes and the performance of the
     obligations of the Obligors under the Note Agreement and as additional
     security for the payment of the Finance Company Indebtedness and
     performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the Finance Company
     Loan Agreement, all on an equal and PRO RATA basis, together with an
     opinion of counsel to Victory International in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes covering the matters set forth in
     Section 5.22(a)(3)(vi) of the Original Note Agreement, except that such
     opinion shall be with respect to the Victory Pledge Agreement; 

         (iii) a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor,
     and the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in the form of
     Exhibit F hereto, providing for a pledge and grant of a first and perfected
     security interest in all the capital stock of Victory International owned
     by MMI (the "VICTORY INTERNATIONAL STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT"), as additional
     security for the payment of the Notes and the performance of the
     obligations of the Obligors under the Note Agreement and as additional
     security for the payment of the Finance Company Indebtedness and
     performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the Finance Company
     Loan Agreement, all on an



                                      -15-
<PAGE>


     equal and PRO RATA basis, together with an opinion of counsel to MMI in
     form and substance satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes covering the
     matters set forth in Section 5.22(a)(3)(vi) of the Original Note Agreement,
     except that such opinion shall be with respect to the Victory International
     Stock Pledge Agreement;

         (iv)  Amendment No. 2 to the  Security Agreement dated as of the date
     hereof pursuant to which Victory and Victory International, as debtors,
     shall become parties to the Security Agreement, in the form of Exhibit G
     hereto, and providing for the grant of a second and perfected security
     interest in all property and assets of Victory and Victory International
     (the "AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE  SECURITY AGREEMENT"), subject thereto as
     additional security for the payment of the Notes and the performance of
     the obligations of the Obligors under the Note Agreement;

          (v)  the Victory Security Documents (and/or financing statements or
     similar notices thereof if and to the extent permitted by applicable law)
     shall have been recorded or filed for record in such public offices as
     deemed necessary by the Holders of the Notes and their special counsel in
     order to perfect the Lien and security interest granted or conveyed
     thereby;

          (vi) the Victory International Security Documents (and/or financing
     statements or similar notices thereof if and to the extent permitted by
     applicable law) shall have been recorded or filed for record in such public
     offices as deemed necessary by the Holders of the Notes and their special
     counsel in order to perfect the lien and security interest granted or
     conveyed thereby;

         (vii) an Assumption of Mortgage delivered by Victory (the "VICTORY
     ASSUMPTION OF MORTGAGE") with respect to the Mortgage


                                      -16-
<PAGE>


     executed and delivered by MMI on the initial Closing Date with respect to
     those properties of MMI then located in the State of New Jersey;

        (viii) such documents and evidence with respect to Victory as the
     Holders of the Notes may reasonably request in order to establish the
     existence and good standing of Victory and the authorization of the
     transactions contemplated by the Victory Reorganization and this First
     Amendment to Note Agreement; 

          (ix) such documents and evidence with respect to Victory International
     as the Holders of the Notes may reasonably request in order to establish
     the existence in good standing of Victory International and the
     authorization of the transactions contemplated by the Victory
     Reorganization and this First Amendment to Note Agreement;

           (x) an opinion of counsel to Victory in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes to the effect that:  (A) Victory
     is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
     the State of Delaware and has the corporate power and the corporate
     authority to become an Obligor under the Note Agreement and the Notes and
     to execute and deliver this First Amendment to Note Agreement, the Notes
     and the Victory Security Documents (collectively, the "VICTORY
     AGREEMENTS"), (B) the Victory Agreements have been duly authorized by all
     necessary corporate action on the part of Victory, have been duly executed
     and delivered by Victory and constitute the legal, valid and binding
     contracts of Victory enforceable in accordance with their respective terms,
     (C) no approval, consent or withholding of objection on the part of, or
     filing, registration or qualification with any governmental,
     quasi-governmental or judicial body is necessary in connection with the
     execution, delivery and performance of the Victory Agreements by Victory,
     (D) the execution, delivery and performance by Victory of the Victory
     Agreements do not


                                      -17-
<PAGE>


     conflict with or result in any breach in any of the provisions of or
     constitute a default under or result in the creation or imposition of any
     Lien upon any property of Victory pursuant to the provisions of the charter
     or by-laws of Victory or any law, agreement, license or instrument to which
     Victory is a party or by which Victory may be bound, and (E) there is no
     litigation pending or threatened which could reasonably be expected to
     materially and adversely affect the properties, business, prospects,
     profits or condition (financial or otherwise) of Victory or the ability of
     Victory to perform its obligations under the Victory Agreements; and

          (xi) an opinion of counsel to Victory International in form and
     substance satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes to the effect that (A)
     Victory International is a corporation validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the corporate
     power and authority to become an Obligor under the Note Agreement and the
     Notes and to execute and deliver this First Amendment to Note Agreement,
     the Notes and the Victory International Security Documents (collectively,
     the "VICTORY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS"), (B) the Victory International
     Agreements have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
     the part of Victory International, have been duly executed and delivered by
     Victory International and constitute the legal, valid and binding contracts
     of Victory International enforceable in accordance with their respective
     terms, (C) no approval, consent to withholding of objections on the part
     of, or filing, registration or qualification with any governmental,
     quasi-governmental or judicial body is necessary in connection with the
     execution, delivery and performance of the Victory International Agreements
     by Victory International, (D) the execution, delivery and performance by
     Victory International of the Victory International Agreements do not
     conflict with


                                      -18-
<PAGE>


     or result in any breach of any of the provisions of or constitute a default
     under or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property
     of Victory International pursuant to the provisions of the charter or
     by-laws of Victory International or any law, agreement, license or
     instrument to which Victory International is a party or by which Victory
     International may be bound, and (E) there is no litigation pending or
     threatened which could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely
     affect the properties, business, prospects, profits or conditions
     (financial or otherwise) of Victory International or the ability of Victory
     International to perform its obligations under the Victory International
     Agreements.

SECTION 4.     PHILIPPINE REORGANIZATION.

     Prior to or simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this First
Amendment to Note Agreement, the Obligors shall have delivered, or shall have
caused FAB-Asia or MPC, as the case may be to deliver, the following:

          (i)  representations by the Obligors to the following effect:

               (a)  MMI owns and controls either directly or indirectly not less
          than 40% of the capital stock (and any securities convertible at any
          time and from time to time into capital stock) of FAB-Asia; Elizabeth
          Asbury owns the remaining 60% of such capital stock, as required by
          Philippine law; MMI holds options to purchase two-thirds of the stock
          held by Elizabeth Asbury;

               (b)  MMI owns and controls directly or indirectly not less than
          80% of the issued and outstanding capital stock (and any securities
          convertible at any time and from time to time into capital stock) of
          MPC (other than directors' qualifying shares); the remaining 20% of
          such


                                      -19-
<PAGE>


          capital stock is owned and controlled by O. Neal Asbury;

               (c)  FAB-Asia is a holding company whose principal function is to
          hold title to the land on which a new manufacturing facility is being
          built for the MPC operations in the Philippines;

               (d)  FAB-Asia will lease the land upon which the manufacturing
          operations are located to MPC; such ground lease remains in effect
          until after January 10, 2003, the maturity date of the Notes;

               (e)  MMI has capitalized MPC and FAB-Asia in the aggregate amount
          of approximately U.S. $2,200,000;

               (f)  MPC has substantially completed construction of the new
          manufacturing facility located on the land it has leased from
          FAB-Asia; such facility is usable for the purposes for which it was
          constructed; and the office portion of the facility is scheduled to be
          completed in April 1996;

               (g)  FAB-Asia has transferred all of its assets (other than (i)
          the land on which the manufacturing facility is located, (ii) certain
          equipment having a value of $160,000 which equipment FAB-Asia has
          agreed to transfer to MPC not later than July 1, 1996 and (iii)
          non-transferable tax credits, withholding taxes and organizational
          costs of $90,000) and liabilities (other than the mortgage debt of
          $500,000 relating to the purchase of the land) to MPC;

               (h)  PCI Bank has consented to the assumption by MPC of
          FAB-Asia's existing mortgage loan from PCI Bank and the documentation
          between PCI Bank, MPC and FAB-Asia provides that MPC shall be the
          borrower thereunder; no additional approval, consent, or withholding
          of objection from PCI Bank or any other Person is necessary to confirm


                                      -20-
<PAGE>


          that the credit line between PCI Bank and FAB-Asia is available at all
          times to MPC;

               (i)  MPC is authorized to guaranty all outstanding indebtedness
          of the Obligors, including the Notes; and

               (j)  The Philippine Board of Investments (the "BOI") has approved
          MPC's application for tax incentives; the BOI has not been asked to
          approve, nor is approval by BOI required for, the transfer of assets
          from FAB-Asia to MPC;

          (ii)   a Subsidiary Guaranty from MPC (the "MPC GUARANTY") in form and
     substance satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes and their special
     counsel in the form of Exhibit H hereto;

          (iii)  such documents and evidence with respect to MPC and FAB-Asia as
     the Holders of the Notes and their special counsel shall have requested in
     order to establish the existence and good standing of MPC and FAB-Asia,
     respectively;

          (iv)   a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor,
     and the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in the form of
     Exhibit I hereto providing for the pledge and grant of a first and
     perfected security interest in all the capital stock of MPC held by MMI
     (the "MPC STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT"), as additional security for the payment
     of the Notes and the performance of the obligations of the Obligors under
     the Note Agreement and as additional security for the payment of the
     Finance Company Indebtedness and performance of the obligations of the
     Obligors under the Finance Company Loan Agreement, all on an equal and PRO
     RATA basis, together with an opinion of counsel to MMI in form and
     substance satisfactory to the Holders of the Notes covering the matters set
     forth in Section 5.22(a)(vi) of the Note Agreement, except such opinion
     shall be with respect to the MPC Stock Pledge Agreement;


                                      -21-
<PAGE>


          (v)    an opinion of counsel to MPC in form and substance satisfactory
     to the Holders of the Notes and their special counsel to the effect that
     (A) MPC is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the
     laws of the Republic of the Philippines and has the corporate power and the
     corporate authority to execute and deliver the MPC Guaranty, (B) the MPC
     Guaranty has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
     part of MPC, has been duly executed and delivered by MPC and constitutes
     the legal, valid and binding contracts of MPC enforceable in accordance
     with its terms, (C) no approval, consent or withholding of objection on the
     part of, or filing, registration or qualification with any foreign or U.S.
     governmental, quasi-governmental or judicial body is necessary in
     connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the MPC Guaranty
     by MPC, (D) the execution, delivery and performance by MPC of the MPC
     Guaranty do not conflict with or result in any breach in any of the
     provisions of or constitute a default under or result in the creation or
     imposition of any Lien upon any property of MPC pursuant to the provisions
     of the charter or by-laws of MPC or any law, agreement, license or
     instrument to which MPC is a party or by which MPC may be bound, and (E)
     there is no litigation pending or threatened which could reasonably be
     expected to materially and adversely affect the properties, business,
     prospects, profits or condition (financial or otherwise) of MPC or the
     ability of MPC to perform its obligations under the MPC Guaranty; and

          (vi)   a copy of the approval of the BOI to MPC's application for tax
     incentives, together an opinion of counsel to MPC to the effect that no
     approval, consent or withholding of objection on the part of, or filing,
     registration or qualification with, any Philippine governmental,
     quasi-governmental or judicial body is necessary in connection


                                      -22-
<PAGE>


     with the transfer of assets from FAB-Asia to MPC.

SECTION 5.  MIDDLEBY FACTORY SERVICE.

     Prior to or simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this First
Amendment to Note Agreement, MMI shall have entered into amendments to the
Security Agreement Re: Patents and Trademarks so as to cause the tradename
"Middleby Factory Service Company" to be subject thereto and thereby provide for
the grant of a first and perfected security interest in the assumed name
"Middleby Factory Service Company", as security for the payment of the Notes and
the performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the Note Agreement.

SECTION 6.  TAIWANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES.

     In the event MMI shall determine to conduct any operations in Taiwan, it
shall conduct such operations through the Taiwanese Subsidiary and, in
connection therewith, before beginning any significant operations in Taiwan, the
Obligors shall have delivered, or shall have caused the Taiwanese Subsidiary to
deliver, the following:

          (i)  representations by the Obligors to the following effect:

               (a)     MMI owns and controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 80% of the capital stock (and any securities convertible at
          any time and from time to time into capital stock) of the Taiwanese
          Subsidiary; and

               (b)     MMI has capitalized the Taiwanese Subsidiary in an
          amount not to exceed U.S. $200,000;

          (ii) such documents and evidence with respect to the Taiwanese
     Subsidiary as the Holders of the Notes and their special counsel shall have
     requested in order to establish the existence and good standing of the
     Taiwanese Subsidiary; and

         (iii) a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and


                                      -23-
<PAGE>


     debtor, and the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured party, in a form
     comparable to the MPC Stock Pledge Agreement providing for the pledge and
     grant of a first and perfected security interest in all the capital stock
     of the Taiwanese Subsidiary (the "TAIWANESE SUBSIDIARY STOCK PLEDGE
     AGREEMENT") held by MMI, as additional security for the payment of the
     Notes and the performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the Note
     Agreement and as additional security for the payment of the Finance Company
     Indebtedness and performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the
     Finance Company Loan Agreement, all on an equal and PRO RATA basis.

SECTION 7.  JAPANESE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES.

     In the event MMI shall determine to conduct any operations in Japan, it
shall conduct such operations through the Japanese Subsidiary and in connection
therewith before beginning any significant operations in Japan, the Obligor
shall have delivered, or shall have caused the Japanese Subsidiary to deliver,
the following:

          (i)    a representation by the Obligors to the following effect:

                 (a)     MMI owns and controls either directly or indirectly not
          less than 51% of the capital stock (and any security convertible at
          any time and from time to time into capital stock) of the Japanese
          Subsidiary; and

                 (b)     MMI has capitalized the Japanese Subsidiary in an
          amount not to exceed U.S. $600,000;

          (ii)   such documents and evidence with respect to the Japanese
     Subsidiary as the Holders of the Notes and their special counsel shall have
     requested in order to establish the existence and good standing of the
     Japanese Subsidiary;

          (iii)  a Stock Pledge Agreement between MMI, as pledgor and debtor,
     and the Security Trustee, as pledgee and secured


                                      -24-
<PAGE>


     party, in a form comparable to the MPC Stock Pledge Agreement providing for
     the pledge and grant of a first and perfected security interest in all the
     capital stock of the Japanese Subsidiary (the "JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY STOCK
     PLEDGE AGREEMENT") held by MMI, as additional security for the payment of
     the Notes and the performance of the obligations of the Obligors under the
     Note Agreement and as additional security for the payment of the Finance
     Company Indebtedness and performance of the obligations of the Obligors
     under the Finance Company Loan Agreement, all on an equal and PRO RATA
     basis.

SECTION 8.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS.

     The Obligors represent and warrant that all representations and warranties
set forth in Exhibit B to this First Amendment to Note Agreement, and those
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 herein, are true and
correct as of the date hereof and are incorporated herein by reference with the
same force and effect as though herein set forth in full.

     By the execution and delivery of this First Amendment to Note Agreement,
each of Victory and Victory International agrees and affirms that it shall be
deemed to be an "Obligor" for all purposes of the Note Agreement, the Notes and
the Security Documents.

     By its execution and delivery of this First Amendment to the Note
Agreement, each of the Original Obligors agrees and affirms that each of MPC,
FAB-Asia, the Japanese Subsidiary and the Taiwanese Subsidiary shall be deemed
to constitute Subsidiaries for all purposes of the Note Agreement and all
Indebtedness and other obligations of such Subsidiary shall in all events be
subject to the provisions of the Note Agreement.

SECTION 9.  MISCELLANEOUS.

     SECTION 9.1.   EFFECTIVE DATE; RATIFICATION.  The amendments contemplated
by this First Amendment to Note Agreement shall be effective as of the date (the
"EFFECTIVE DATE") upon which (a) all


                                      -25-
<PAGE>


conditions set forth in Section 2 hereof have been satisfied, (b) the Holder of
the Notes shall have received a copy of the agreements entered into by the
Obligors with the Finance Company Lenders with respect to the 1996 Changes, and
(c) the fees and expenses of Chapman and Cutler shall have been paid by the
Obligors.  Except as amended herein, the terms and provisions of the Original
Note Agreement are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

     SECTION 9.2.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This First Amendment to Note
Agreement shall be binding upon the Obligors and their respective successors and
assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders and to the benefit of
their successors and assigns, including each successive holder or holders of any
Notes.

     SECTION 9.3.   COUNTERPARTS.  This First Amendment to Note Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each executed counterpart constituting
an original but all together one and the same instrument.

     SECTION 9.4.   FEES AND EXPENSES.  Whether or not the Effective Date
occurs, the Company agrees to pay all reasonable fees and expenses of the
Holders and special counsel to the holders in connection with the preparation of
this First Amendment to Note Agreement.

     SECTION 9.5.   NO LEGEND REQUIRED.  Any and all notices, requests,
certificates and other instruments may refer to the Original Note Agreement or
the Note Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995 without making specific reference
to this First Amendment to Note Agreement, but nevertheless all such references
shall be deemed to include this First Amendment to Note Agreement unless the
context shall otherwise require.

     SECTION 9.6.   GOVERNING LAW.  This First Amendment to Note Agreement shall
be deemed contracts and instruments made under the laws of the State of
Illinois.


                                      -26-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this First Amendment
to Note Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                        MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                        By


                                        Its  Executive Vice President

                                        ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                        By                                      


                                        Its  Vice President

                                        VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY

                                        By                                      


                                        Its  Vice President

                                        VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                        By                                      


                                        Its  Vice President

Accepted as of            , 1996.
               -----------
                                        THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
                                          INSURANCE COMPANY                     

                                        By                                      

                                        Its 


                                      -27-
<PAGE>


                                    SCHEDULE I


                                                            PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
NAME OF NOTEHOLDER                                           NOTES OUTSTANDING

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company                  $15,000,000


                                      -28-
<PAGE>


                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES


     Each Obligor represents and warrants to the Holder of the Notes as follows:

     1.   CORPORATE ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY.  Each Obligor, and each
Subsidiary, is a corporation or partnership, as the case may be, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization.

     2.   TRANSACTION IS LEGAL AND AUTHORIZED.  The execution, delivery and
performance of the First Amendment to Note Agreement and the Amended Notes and
the transactions contemplated by the 1996 Changes and compliance by each Obligor
with all of the provisions of the First Amendment to Note Agreement and any
agreement contemplated by the 1996 Changes:

          (a)  are within the corporate powers of each Obligor;

          (b)  will not violate any provisions of any law or any order of any
     court or governmental authority or agency and will not conflict with or
     result in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or
     constitute a default under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of
     any Obligor or any indenture or other agreement or instrument to which any
     such Obligor is a party or by which it may be bound or result in the
     imposition of any Liens or encumbrances on any property of any Obligor; and

          (c)  have been duly authorized by proper corporate action on the part
     of each Obligor (no action by the stockholders of any Obligor being
     required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of any
     Obligor or otherwise), executed and delivered by each Obligor and the First
     Amendment to Note Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
     obligation, contract and agreement of each Obligor enforceable in
     accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,


                                      -29-
<PAGE>


     insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting creditors'
     rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether
     the application of such principles is considered in a proceeding in equity
     or at law).

     3.   NO DEFAULTS.  No Default or Event of Default (as defined in the
Original Note Agreement) has occurred and is continuing.  No Obligor is in
default in the payment of principal or interest on any Debt or is in default
under any instrument or instruments or agreements under and subject to which any
Debt has been issued, and no event has occurred and is continuing under the
provisions of any such instrument or agreement which with the lapse of time or
the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an event of default thereunder.

     4.   GOVERNMENTAL CONSENT.  No approval, consent or withholding of
objection on the part of any regulatory body, state, Federal or local, is
necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by any Obligor of the
First Amendment to Note Agreement or the Notes or compliance by any Obligor with
any of the provisions of the First Amendment to Note Agreement or the Notes or
any of the agreements entered into in connection with the 1996 Changes.

     5.   Neither Victory nor Victory International owns or possesses any
patents, trademarks, tradenames, service marks, copyrights, trademarks or
trademark licenses.  No patent, trademark, tradename, service mark, copyright,
trademark or trademark license is necessary for the present and planned future
conduct of the business of Victory or Victory International, except such
intellectual property as is currently owned or possessed by MMI.  Neither
Victory nor Victory International will own or possess any intellectual property
unless it shall have subjected such property to the lien of a Patent and
Trademark Security Agreement and a Related Patent and Trademark Security
Agreement comparable to those executed and delivered by the Original Obligors on
the original Closing Date and shall have delivered such other


                                      -30-
<PAGE>


documents, filings and showings in connection therewith as shall be deemed
reasonably necessary by the Noteholders and their special counsel.


                                      -31-
<PAGE>


                             MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                       AND

                             ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                           10.99% Senior Secured Note

                              DUE JANUARY 10, 2003


                                 PPN 59628# AA 2



NO.                                                           ____________, ____

$

     MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC., a Delaware corporation, ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC., a
Florida corporation, VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, and
VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation  (each an "OBLIGOR" and
collectively the "OBLIGORS") jointly and severally, for value received, hereby
promise to pay to

                              or registered assigns

                        on the tenth day of January, 2003

                             the principal amount of

                                                             DOLLARS ($        )

and to pay interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months) on the principal amount from time to time remaining unpaid hereon at the
rate of 10.99% per annum from the date hereof until maturity, payable quarterly
on the tenth of January, April, July and October in each year (commencing on
April 10, 1995) and at maturity.  The Obligors agree to pay interest on overdue
principal (including any overdue required or


                                      -32-
<PAGE>


optional prepayment of principal) and premium, if any, and (to the extent
legally enforceable) on any overdue installment of interest, at the Overdue Rate
after the due date, whether by acceleration or otherwise, until paid.  "OVERDUE
RATE" shall mean the lesser of (a) the maximum interest rate permitted by law
and (b) 12.99% per annum.

     Both the principal hereof and interest hereon are payable at the principal
office of the Obligors c/o Middleby Marshall Inc. in Elgin, Illinois in coin or
currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.  If any amount of
principal, premium, if any, or interest on or in respect of this Note becomes
due and payable on any date which is not a Business Day, such amount shall be
payable on the immediately preceding Business Day.  "BUSINESS DAY" means any day
other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in Chicago, Illinois
are required by law to close or are customarily closed.

     This Note is one of the 10.99% Senior Secured Notes due January 10, 2003
(the "NOTES") of the Obligors in the aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000
issued or to be issued under and pursuant to the terms and provisions of the
Note Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995, as amended by that certain First
Amendment to Note Agreement dated as of March 1, 1996 (as so amended, the "NOTE
AGREEMENT"), entered into by the Obligors with the original Purchaser therein
referred to and this Note and the holder hereof are entitled equally and ratably
with the holders of all other Notes outstanding under the Note Agreement to all
the benefits provided for thereby or referred to therein.  Reference is hereby
made to the Note Agreement for a statement of such rights and benefits.

     This Note and the holder hereof are entitled equally and ratably with the
holders of all other Notes to the rights and benefits provided pursuant to the
terms and provisions of the


                                      -33-
<PAGE>


Subsidiary Guaranty, the Security Documents, the Support Agreement and the
Intercreditor Agreement (as each such term is defined in the Note Agreement). 
Reference is hereby made to each of the foregoing for a statement of the nature
and extent of the benefits and security for the Notes afforded thereby and the
rights of the holders of the Notes and the Obligors in respect thereof.

     This Note and the other Notes outstanding under the Note Agreement may be
declared due prior to their expressed maturity date and certain prepayments are
required to be made thereon, all in the events, on the terms and in the manner
and amounts as provided in the Note Agreement.

     The Notes are not subject to prepayment or redemption at the option of the
Obligors prior to their expressed maturity dates except on the terms and
conditions and in the amounts and with the premium, if any, set forth in the
Note Agreement.

     This Note is registered on the books of the Obligors and is transferable
only by surrender thereof at the principal office of Middleby Marshall Inc. in
Elgin, Illinois duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer
duly executed by the registered holder of this Note or its attorney duly
authorized in writing.  Payment of or on account of principal, premium, if any,
and interest on this Note shall be made only to or upon the order in writing of
the registered holder.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>

     This Note and said Note Agreement are governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of Illinois, including all matters of construction,
validity and performance.

                                        MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                        By


                                        Its

                                        ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                        By                                      


                                        Its

                                        VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY

                                        By                                      


                                        Its

                                        VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                        By                                      


                                        Its


THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
JURISDICTION THEREOF AND MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED ONLY IF REGISTERED
PURSUANT TO PROVISIONS OF SUCH SECURITIES ACT OR IF AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM IS
AVAILABLE.


                                      -35-

<PAGE>


                    SECOND AMENDMENT TO NOTE AGREEMENT AND CONSENT

     THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO NOTE AGREEMENT AND CONSENT dated as of May 31,
1996 (the or this "Amendment") to the Note Agreement dated  as of January 1,
1995 (the "Original Note Agreement"), as amended, between and among Middleby
Marshall Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MMI"), Asbury Associates, Inc., a
Florida corporation ("Asbury"), Victory International Inc., a Delaware
corporation, ("Victory International"); and Victory Refrigeration Company, a
Delaware Corporation ("Victory"); (Victory, Victory International, Asbury and
MMI each hereinafter sometime individually referred to as an "Obligor" and
collectively as the "Obligors"), and The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company ("the Noteholder"), under and pursuant to which $15,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of Senior Notes Due January 10, 2003 (the "Notes") were
originally issued.

                                      RECITALS:

     A.    The Obligors and the Noteholder now desire to amend and/or waive
certain provisions of the Note Agreement as of the date hereof (the "Effective
Date") in the respects, but only in the respects, hereinafter set forth.

     B.    Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings
ascribed thereto in the Note Agreement unless herein defined or the context
shall otherwise require.

     NOW, THEREFORE, upon the full and complete satisfaction of the conditions
precedent to the effectiveness of this Amendment set forth in Section 3.1
hereof, and in consideration of good and valuable consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Obligors and the Noteholder do
hereby agree as follows:

Section 1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  

     1.1.  To induce the Noteholder to execute and deliver this Amendment, each
Obligor represents and warrants to the Noteholder (which representations shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment) that:

           (a)   this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and
     delivered by it and this Amendment constitutes the legal, valid and
     binding obligation, contract and agreement of such Obligor enforceable
     against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be
     limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
     laws or equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights
     generally;

           (b)   the Note Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, constitutes
     the legal, valid and binding obligations, contracts and agreements of such
     Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms,
     except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization,


<PAGE>

     moratorium or similar laws or equitable principles relating to or limiting
     creditors' rights generally;

           (c)   the execution, delivery and performance by such Obligor of
     this Amendment (i) have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
     action and, if required, shareholder action, (ii) do not require the
     consent or approval of any governmental or regulatory body or agency, and
     (iii) will not (A) violate (1) any provision of law, statute, rule or
     regulation or certificate of incorporation or bylaws of any Obligor, (2)
     any order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any other
     agency or government binding upon it,  (B) violate or require any consent
     under or with respect to any provision of the Finance Company Loan
     Agreement or the Finance Company Security Documents or any other material
     indenture, agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which its
     properties or assets are or may be bound, or (C) result in a breach or
     constitute (alone or with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
     under such Agreements or Documents, or other such material indentures,
     agreements or instruments; and

           (d)   as of the date hereof and after giving effect to this
     Amendment, no Default or Event of Default has occurred which is
     continuing.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS.

     2.1.  Section 5.9 the Note Agreement shall be and is hereby amended in its
entirety to read as follows:

           The Obligors will at all time keep and maintain the ratio of the
           Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed Charges for the
           immediately preceding four fiscal quarter period to Consolidated
           Fixed Charges for such four fiscal quarter period at not less than:

           DURING THE PERIOD                          MINIMUM LEVEL

           1995 and 1996 Fiscal Years                 1.75 to 1.00
           1997 Fiscal Year and each                  2.00 to 1.00
           Fiscal Year thereafter

     2.2   The definition of "Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed
Charges" is hereby amended by inserting at the end of such definition, and
before the period, the following:

           PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for the four consecutive fiscal quarters
           commencing January 1, 1996, Consolidated Net Income Available for
           Fixed Charges shall include (to the extent deducted in determining
           Consolidated Net Income) an amount up to $900,000 reflected on the
           audited consolidated financial statements of the Obligors for the
           fiscal year ending December 30, 1995, under the line item 
           "Provision for Product Line Discontinuance".  


                                          2

<PAGE>

SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS.

     3.1.  This Amendment shall not become effective until, and shall become
effective when, each and every one of the following conditions shall have been
satisfied:

           (a)   executed counterparts of this Amendment, duly executed by the
     Obligors shall have been delivered to the Noteholder;

           (b)   the Noteholder shall have received a written consent to this
     Amendment for purposes of the Finance Company Loan Agreement and Finance
     Company Security Documents, duly executed by the Agent and the Lenders,
     which consent shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the
     Noteholder:

           (c)   the Noteholder shall have received evidence satisfactory to it
     that the Finance Company Loan Agreement has been amended substantially as
     provided herein;

           (d)   the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
     Section 1 hereof are true and correct on and with respect to the date
     hereof.

     Upon receipt of all of the foregoing, this Amendment shall become
effective.

     3.2.  As of the date of this Amendment, the Noteholder consents to the
May, 1996 amendment to the by-laws of MMI to increase the maximum number of
directors of MMI to eleven, and agrees that such amendment does not constitute
an Event of Default under Section 5.19(b) of the Note Agreement.

     3.3. This Amendment shall be construed in connection with and as part  of
the Note Agreement, and except as expressly modified and amended by this
Amendment, all terms, conditions and covenants contained in the Note Agreement
and the Note are hereby ratified and shall be and remain in full force and
effect.

     3.4.  Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments
executed and delivered after the execution and delivery of this Amendment may
refer to the Note Agreement without making specific reference to this Amendment
but nevertheless all such references shall include this Amendment unless the
context otherwise requires.

     3.5.  This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
Illinois law.

                                       MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                       By /s/  John J. Hastings
                                       --------------------------------------
                                          Its Executive Vice President


                                          3

<PAGE>

                                       ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                       By /s/ John J. Hastings
                                       --------------------------------------
                                          Its Vice President


                                       VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY

                                       By /s/ John J. Hastings
                                       --------------------------------------
                                          Its Vice President


                                       VICTORY INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                       By /s/ John J. Hastings
                                       --------------------------------------
                                          Its Vice President

Accepted as of May 31, 1996

                                       THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
                                       INSURANCE COMPANY

                                       By
                                         ------------------------------------
                                          Its Vice President


                                          4

<PAGE>


Draft of March 21, 1995


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                 AMENDMENT AGREEMENT




                              Dated as of March 1, 1995


                                        among


                          SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,

                                       as Agent

                   THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

                                the Senior Noteholder

                                         and

                  FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                 as Collateral Agent




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                         -1-

<PAGE>

                                 AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

     Reference is made to that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of
January 10, 1995 (the "INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT"), among Sanwa Business Credit
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, acting in its capacity as agent (in such
capacity, the "AGENT") for and on behalf of the various financial institutions
(collectively, the "LENDERS") which are, or may from time to time hereafter
become, parties to the Loan Agreement, the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company (the "SENIOR NOTEHOLDER") and First Security Bank of Utah, National
Association, acting in its individual capacity for purposes of clause (a) of
Section 3 of the Intercreditor Agreement and otherwise in its capacity as
intercreditor collateral agent for the Senior Creditors (together with its
successors and assigns, the "COLLATERAL AGENT") and First Security Bank of Utah,
National Association, in its capacity as security trustee under the Noteholder
Security Documents (the "SECURITY TRUSTEE").  Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth in the Intercreditor
Agreement.

     The Agent and the Senior Noteholder desire to amend a certain provision of
the Intercreditor Agreement and, upon the execution and delivery of this
Amendment Agreement by the Agent, the Senior Noteholder and the Collateral
Agent, the following provision of the Intercreditor Agreement shall be amended
as of the date hereof as follows:

SECTION 1.     AMENDMENT.

     SECTION 1.1.   AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1(a).  The definition of "Pledge
Agreements" contained in Section 1(a) of the Intercreditor Agreement is hereby
amended in its entirety so that the same shall henceforth read as follows:

          "PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" shall mean the pledge agreement dated as of
     January 9, 1995 from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to the capital
     stock of Asbury owned by MMI, the Pledge Agreement dated as of March 10,
     1995 from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to the capital stock of Seco
     Products Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, owned by MMI and the Pledge
     Agreement to be delivered by MMI pursuant to Section 5.22 of the Note
     Agreement relating to the capital stock of FAB-Asia, Inc., a Republic of
     the Philippines corporation, owned by MMI.

SECTION 2.     MISCELLANEOUS.

     SECTION 2.1.   EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  Two or more duplicate originals
of this


                                         -2-
<PAGE>


Amendment Agreement may be signed by the parties hereto, each of which shall be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.  This Amendment Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts and will be effective (as of the effective date set forth below),
when at least one counterpart has been executed by the Agent, the Senior
Noteholder and the Collateral Agent, and each set of counterparts which,
collectively, show execution by each such party shall constitute one duplicate
original.

     SECTION 2.2.   GOVERNING LAW.  This Amendment Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with Illinois law.

     SECTION 2.3.   CAPTIONS.  The descriptive headings of the various Sections
or parts of this Amendment Agreement are for convenience only and shall not
affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.

     SECTION 2.4.   RATIFICATION OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.  Except as herein
expressly amended, all other terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement
shall remain unchanged and are in all respects ratified, confirmed and approved.
If and to the extent that any of the terms or provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement are in conflict or inconsistent with any of the terms or provisions of
this Amendment Agreement, this Amendment Agreement shall govern.

     This Amendment Agreement shall be effective as of March __, 1995.

Signature                               SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,
                                           as Agent

                                        By


                                        Its

                                        THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
                                         INSURANCE COMPANY, as Senior Noteholder


                                        By


                                        Its


                                         -3-
<PAGE>


                                        FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH,
                                          NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral
                                          Agent and Security Trustee

                                        By


                                        Its


Accepted and Acknowledged by:

                                        MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                        By


                                        Its

                                        ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                        By

                                        Its


                                         -4-


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2

                                          to

                               INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT




                              Dated as of March 1, 1996


                                        Among


                          SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,

                                       as Agent

                   THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,

                                the Senior Noteholder

                                         and

                  FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                 as Collateral Agent

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                         -1-

<PAGE>



Middleby Marshall Inc.
Amendment Agreement No. 2
to Intercreditor Agreement


                              AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 2
                              TO INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

    Reference is made to that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of
January 10, 1995 as amended by that certain Amendment Agreement dated as of
March 1, 1995 (as so amended, the "ORIGINAL INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT"), among
Sanwa Business Credit Corporation, a Delaware corporation, acting in its
capacity as agent (in such capacity, the "AGENT") for and on behalf of the
various financial institutions (collectively, the "LENDERS") which are, or may
from time to time hereafter become, parties to the Loan Agreement, The
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (the "SENIOR NOTEHOLDER") and First
Security Bank of Utah, National Association, acting in its individual capacity
for purposes of clause (a) of Section 3 of the Intercreditor Agreement and
otherwise in its capacity as intercreditor collateral agent for the Senior
Creditors (together with its successors and assigns, the "COLLATERAL AGENT") and
First Security Bank of Utah, National Association, in its capacity as security
trustee under the Noteholder Security Documents (the "SECURITY TRUSTEE").
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms shall have the meanings set
forth in the Original Intercreditor Agreement.

    The Agent and the Senior Noteholder desire to amend certain provisions of
the Original Intercreditor Agreement and, upon the execution and delivery of
this Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement by the Agent, the
Senior Noteholder and the Collateral Agent, the following provisions of the
Original Intercreditor Agreement shall be amended as of the date hereof as
follows:

SECTION 1.    AMENDMENT.

    SECTION 1.1.   AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1(a).  The following definitions in
Section 1(a) of the Original Intercreditor Agreement


                                         -2-

<PAGE>

are hereby amended in their entirety so that the same shall henceforth read as
follows:
         "BORROWERS" shall mean MMI, AAI, Victory and Victory International.

         "JAPANESE SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a Subsidiary yet to be created which
    will be a corporation duly organized under the laws of Japan, and any
    Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets of such
    Subsidiary.

         "MPC" shall mean Middleby Philippines Corporation, a Republic of the
    Philippines corporation, and any Person who succeeds to all, or
    substantially all, of the assets and business of Middleby Philippines
    Corporation.

         "NOTEHOLDER'S SENIOR COLLATERAL" shall mean the collateral described
    in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, together with all
    accounts, equipment, general intangibles, monies, litigation proceeds,
    additions, records, proceeds and products relating to such Intellectual
    Property Collateral, all as described in the Patent and Trademark Security
    Agreements.

         "PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" shall mean the Pledge Agreement dated as of
    January 9, 1995 from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to the capital
    stock of AAI owned by MMI, the Pledge Agreement dated as of March 1, 1996
    from Victory International to the Collateral Agent relating to the capital
    stock of Victory owned by Victory International, and a Pledge Agreement
    dated as of March 1, 1996 from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to the
    capital stock of Victory International owned by MMI, a Pledge Agreement to
    be dated as of March 1, 1996 from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to
    the capital stock of MPC owned by MMI, a Pledge Agreement to be dated as of
    the date of execution and delivery thereof from MMI to the


                                         -3-

<PAGE>

    Collateral Agent relating to the capital stock of the Taiwanese
    Subsidiary owned by MMI, a Pledge Agreement to be dated as of the date of
    execution and delivery thereof from MMI to the Collateral Agent relating to
    the capital stock of the Japanese Subsidiary owned by MMI, and any other
    agreement delivered by MMI or any Subsidiary thereof delivered subsequent
    to the date hereof pursuant to the terms of the Financing Documents.

         "TAIWANESE SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a Subsidiary yet to be created which
    will be a corporation duly organized under the laws of Taiwan, and any
    Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets and
    business of such Subsidiary.

         "VICTORY" shall mean Victory Refrigeration Company, a Delaware
    corporation, and any Person who succeeds to all, or substantially all, of
    the assets and business of Victory Refrigeration Company.

         "VICTORY INTERNATIONAL" shall mean Victory International, Inc., a
    Delaware corporation and parent corporation of Victory, and any Person who
    succeeds to all, or substantially all, of the assets and business of
    Victory International Inc.

SECTION 2.    MISCELLANEOUS.

    SECTION 2.1.   EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  Two or more duplicate originals
of this Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement may be signed by
the parties hereto, each of which shall be an original but all of which together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This Amendment Agreement No. 2 to
Intercreditor Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and will be
effective (as of the effective date set forth below), when at least one
counterpart has been executed by the Agent, the Senior Noteholder and the
Collateral Agent, and each set of


                                         -4-

<PAGE>


counterparts which, collectively, show execution by each such party shall
constitute one duplicate original.


                                         -5-

<PAGE>


    SECTION 2.2.   GOVERNING LAW.  This Amendment Agreement No. 2 to
Intercreditor Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
Illinois law.

    SECTION 2.3.   CAPTIONS.  The descriptive headings of the various Sections
or parts of this Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions hereof.

    SECTION 2.4.   RATIFICATION OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT.  Except as herein
expressly amended, all other terms and provisions of the Original Intercreditor
Agreement shall remain unchanged and are in all respects ratified, confirmed and
approved.  If and to the extent that any of the terms or provisions of the
Original Intercreditor Agreement are in conflict or inconsistent with any of the
terms or provisions of this Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor
Agreement, this Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement shall
govern.

    This Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Intercreditor Agreement shall be
effective as of March 28, 1996.


Signature                                   SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,
                                               as Agent
                                            By

                                            Its

                                            THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE
                                               INSURANCE COMPANY, as Senior
                                               Noteholder

                                            By


                                         -6-

<PAGE>


                                            Its

                                            FIRST SECURITY BANK OF UTAH,
                                               NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
                                               Collateral Agent and
                                               Security Trustee

                                            By

                                            Its


                                         -7-

<PAGE>

Accepted and Acknowledged by:

                                            MIDDLEBY MARSHALL INC.

                                            By


                                            Its

                                            ASBURY ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                            By


                                            Its

                                            VICTORY REFRIGERATION COMPANY

                                            By


                                            Its

                                            VICTORY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                            By


                                            Its


                                         -8-


<PAGE>

                                                        Exhibit (10)(iii)(d)


                            THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                 AMENDED AND RESTATED 1989 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  INTRODUCTION

    This document contains the provisions of The Middleby Corporation 1989 Stock
Incentive Plan, as adopted effective as of February 16, 1989 (the "Effective
Date") and amended on May 16, 1992 and May 16, 1996. The purpose of this Plan is
to provide a means to attract and retain employees of experience and ability and
to furnish additional incentives to them.
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
 
    1.1. "BOARD" means the Company's Board of Directors.
 
    1.2. "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
    1.3. "COMPANY" means The Middleby Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
 
    1.4. "ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE" means any executive or key employee of an Employer.

    1.5. "EMPLOYER" means the Company or any affiliate or subsidiary of the
Company.
 
    1.6. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the closing price of stock
on the national stock exchange on which the Stock is then listed or, if there
was no trading in Stock on that date, the closing price of Stock on that
exchange on the next preceding date on which there was trading in Stock.
 
    1.7. "GRANT" means any award of options, Stock Appreciation Rights or
Restricted Stock (or any combination thereof) made under this Plan to an
Eligible Employee.
 
    1.8. "OPTION" means any stock option granted under this Plan.
 
    1.9. "PLAN" means The Middleby Corporation 1989 Stock Incentive Plan, as set
out in this document and as subsequently amended.
 
    1.10. "RECIPIENT" means an Eligible Employee to whom a Grant has been made.
 
    1.11. "RESTRICTED STOCK" means Stock transferred to a Recipient in a Grant
which is, at the date on which the Grant is made, both (i) not "transferable"
and (ii) "subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture," within the meaning of
Section 83 of the Code.
 
    1.12. "STOCK" means the Company's authorized common stock, par value $.01
per share.
 
    1.13. "STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT" means a right transferred to a Recipient
under a Grant which entitles him, upon exercise, to receive a payment (in cash,
Stock or a combination of cash and Stock) which is equal to the increase (if
any) in the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock between the date as of which
the Grant was made and the date as of which the right is exercised.
 
    1.14. The masculine gender includes the feminine, and the singular number
includes the plural, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the
context.
 
                                      1

<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE II
                           STOCK AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS

    2.1. 400,000 shares of Stock are available for Grants under the Plan. The
shares available for Grants may include unissued or reacquired shares. If a
Grant expires or is cancelled, any shares which were not issued or fully vested
under the Grant at the time of expiration or cancellation will again be
available for Grants.

    2.2. If there is a merger, consolidation, stock dividend, split-up,
combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization or change in capitalization
with respect to Stock, the total number of shares provided for in Section 2.1.
will be adjusted by the Board to accurately reflect that event.

                                  ARTICLE III
                                 MAKING GRANTS

    3.1.
       (a) The Board may, at any time while the Plan is in effect and there is
       Stock available for Grants, make Grants to Eligible Employees.

    (b) No Grant may be made after February 16, 2001.
 
    (c) All grants and any exercises of Grants are conditioned upon shareholder
approval of the Plan as described in Section 8.2.
 
    (d) If there is a merger, consolidation, stock dividend, split-up,
combination or exchange of shares, recapitalization or change in capitalization
with respect to Stock, or any other corporate action with respect to Stock
which, in the opinion of the Board, adversely affects the relative value of a
Grant, the number of shares and the exercise price (in the case of an Option) of
any Grant which is outstanding at the time of that event will be adjusted by the
Board to the extent necessary to remedy the adverse effect on the Grant's value.
 
    3.2.
       (a) The terms of each Grant will be set out in a written agreement.
 
    (b) Subject to the applicable provisions of Article IV, V or VI, a Grant may
contain any terms and conditions which the Board determines, as long as they are
consistent with the provisions of the Plan. Such terms may, without limitation,
include provisions that Grants shall terminate upon termination of employment in
specified circumstances.
 
                                      2

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OPTIONS
 
    4.1.
       The terms of each Option must include the following:
 
    (i) The name of the Recipient.
 
    (ii) The number of shares which are subject to the Option.
 
    (iii) The exercise price per share for Stock subject to the option, which
must be at least 100% of the Stock's Fair Market Value on the date the option is
granted.
 
    (iv) The term over which the Option may be exercised.
 
    (v) A requirement that the Option is not transferable by the optionee except
by will or the laws of descent and distribution and that, during his lifetime,
it is exercisable only by him.
 
    (vi) A statement of whether the Option is intended to be an "incentive stock
option" under Section 422 of the Code or a "nonstatutory stock option".
 
    4.2.
       An Option which is intended to be an incentive stock option under Section
       422 of the Code must contain the following terms:
 
    (i) The exercise price per share must be at least 100% of the Stock's Fair
Market Value on the date the Option is granted.
 
    (ii) The aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date the Option is granted)
of Stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the
first time by the Recipient during any calendar year (under all stock option
plans of the Employers) may not exceed $100,000.

    (iii) The term over which the Option may be exercised may never exceed ten
years from the date of grant.

    (iv) If the Recipient, at the time the option is granted, owns 10% or more
of the voting stock of an Employer (including Stock which he is deemed to own
under Section 424(d) of the Code), the exercise price must be at least 110% of
the Stock's Fair Market Value as of the Option's date of grant, and the term of
the Option may not be more than five years from the date of grant.

    4.3.(a) An Option may be exercised, in whole or part, at any time during its
term, subject to any specific conditions in the Option's terms and any rules 
adopted by the Board for the exercise of Options.

    (b) A Recipient may pay the exercise price of an Option in cash or, in the
Board's discretion, in shares of Stock owned by him (valued at Fair Market
Value), with a note payable to the Company, or in a combination of cash, notes
and shares of Stock.

    (c) The following rules apply to the exercise of Options:

    (i) If a Recipient dies, any Option may, to the extent it was exercisable at
his death, be exercised by his estate, within one year after his date of death
or such shorter period as the Option may provide.

    (ii) If a Recipient terminates employment because he has become permanently
and totally disabled, he may exercise any Option to the extent it was
exercisable at his termination of employment, but only within one year after his
termination of employment or such shorter period as the Option may provide.

                                      3

<PAGE>

    (iii) If a Recipient terminates employment for any reason other than death
or permanent and total disability, he may exercise any Option to the extent it
was exercisable at his termination of employment, but only within three months
after his termination of employment or such shorter or longer period as the
Option may provide.

    (iv) Subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) can never operate to make an Option
exercisable beyond the term for which it was granted.

    (d)  To the extent an  Option is not exercised  before the expiration of its
term or before  the expiration of  any shorter exercise  period under  paragraph
(c), it will be cancelled.
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                           STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
 
    5.1.
       The terms of each Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights must include the
       following:
 
    (i) The name of the Recipient.
 
    (ii) The number of Stock Appreciation Rights which are being granted.
 
    (iii) The term over which the Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised.
This term may never exceed ten years from the date of grant.
 
    (iv) A description of any events which will cause cancellation of the Stock
Appreciation Rights before the end of the term described in subparagraph (iii).
 
    (v) Whether or not the Stock Appreciation Rights are issued in tandem with
any Option, and if so the manner in which the Recipient's exercise of one
affects his right to exercise the other.
 
    (vi) A requirement that the Stock Appreciation Rights are not transferable
by the Recipient except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and that
during his lifetime such Rights are exercisable only by him.
 
    5.2.
       Stock Appreciation Rights which are issued in tandem with an option which
       is intended to be an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code
must contain the following terms:
 
    (i) They will expire no later than at the expiration of the Option.
 
    (ii) Payment under the Stock Appreciation Rights may not exceed 100% of the
difference between the exercise price of the Option and the Fair Market Value of
Stock on the date the Stock Appreciation Rights are exercised.
 
    (iii) They are transferable only when the Option is transferable, and under
the same conditions.
 
    (iv) They are exercisable only when the Option is exercisable.
 
    (v) They may only be exercised when the Fair Market Value of Stock exceeds
the exercise price of the Option.

    5.3.
       (a) Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised at any time during their
       term, subject to Section 5.2., to any specific conditions in their terms
and to any rules adopted by the Board for the exercise of Stock Appreciation
Rights.

    (b) Determination of the form of payment upon exercise of a Stock
Appreciation Right (cash, Stock or a combination of cash and Stock) is solely in
the discretion of the Board.

                                      4

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                RESTRICTED STOCK
 
    6.1.
       The terms of each Grant of Restricted Stock must include the following:
 
    (i) the name of the Recipient.
 
    (ii) the number of shares of Restricted Stock which are being granted.
 
    (iii) whether the Recipient must pay any amount in connection with the Grant
and if so, the amount and terms of that payment. Such amount shall not exceed
10% of the Fair Market Value of the Restricted Stock at the time the Grant is
made, and may be such lesser amount as shall be determined by the Board.
 
    (iv) description of the restrictions applicable to the Grant and the
conditions on which the restriction may be removed.
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                                 ADMINISTRATION
 
    7.1.
       Subject to Section 3.1(a) hereof, the complete authority to control and
       manage the operation and administration of the Plan is placed in the
Board.
 
    7.2.
       Subject to Section 3.1(a) hereof, the Board has all authority which is
       necessary or appropriate for the operation and administration of the
Plan, including the following:
 
    (a) To make Grants and determine their terms, subject to the provisions of
the Plan.
 
    (b) To interpret the provisions of the Plan.
 
    (c) To adopt any rules, procedures and forms necessary for the operation and
administration of the Plan which are consistent with its provisions.
 
    (d) To determine all questions relating to the eligibility and other rights
of all persons under the Plan.
 
    (e) To keep all records necessary for the operation and administration of
the Plan.
 
    (f) To designate or employ agents and counsel (who may also be employed by
an Employer) to assist in the administration of the Plan.
 
    (g) To cause any shares of Stock acquired by a Recipient through exercise of
a Grant to be recorded on the Company's records in the Recipients' name, and to
cause such shares to be issued to the Recipient or to his brokerage account, as
he elects.

    (h) To cause any withholding of tax required in connection with a Grant to
be made.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                           AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

    8.1.
       The Plan may be amended or terminated at any time by action of the Board.
       However, no amendment may, without stockholder approval:

    (i) increase the aggregate number of shares available for Grants (except to
reflect an event described in section 2.2); or

                                      5

<PAGE>

    (ii) extend the term of the Plan; or

    (iii) change the definition of Eligible Employee for purposes of the Plan;
or

    (iv) materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the
Plan.
 
    8.2.
       If the Plan is not, within twelve months of its Effective Date, approved
       by a majority of the shares voted at a regular or special meeting of the
Company's stockholders, the Plan will terminate and all Grants made under it
will be cancelled.
 
    8.3.
       No amendment or termination of the Plan (other than termination under
       Section 8.2.) may adversely modify any person's rights under an Option
unless he consents to the modification in writing.
 
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
    9.1.
       The fact that a person receives a Grant will not constitute or be
       evidence of a contract of employment or give him any right to continued
employment with the Employer.
 
    9.2.
       If any provision of this Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason,
       such illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining provisions.
Instead, each provision is fully severable and this Plan will be construed and
enforced as if any illegal or invalid provision had never been included.
 
    9.3.
       Except as provided in federal law, the provisions of the Plan will be
       construed in accordance with the laws of Illinois.
 
                                      6


<PAGE>

                                     CONFIDENTIAL

                               THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                              MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
                                   CORPORATE STAFF
                                         1996

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, an employee must be employed by the Company on the last day of
the fiscal year and have been in such incentive position a minimum of six (6)
months.  If the employee works in such position for the minimum of six (6)
months, but less than twelve (12) months, the incentive compensation will be
prorated (i.e., seven months = 7/12).  Incentive compensation is computed on the
employee's base salary as of the beginning of the year (January 1, 1996).  

INCENTIVE PAYMENTS
Incentive compensation will be paid upon completion of the audited fiscal year
results of the Company, usually on or about March 1. Incentive compensation
awards under the 1996 Management Incentive Plan for certain positions are
subject to the conditions of The Middleby Corporation Stock Ownership Plan.

INCENTIVE CATEGORY
The incentive compensation will be based on the achievement of the following
category versus defined objective levels:

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXES (EBIT)- Defined as Operating Profit less
other income or expense.  EBIT includes the expense of the corporate and
operating division incentive compensation pools and excludes the expenses of The
Middleby Corporation entity.  It is the intent of the Company that incentive
compensation is to be self-funded at the operating division level.

INCENTIVE COMPUTATION
The incentive compensation award will be computed based on the achieved level of
the objective (i.e. EBIT) and the designated percentage of the participant's
base salary.  If the achieved level is between the plateaus, an extrapolation of
the percentage of salary will be computed.

The percentage of base salary (as of January 1, 1996) for incentive compensation
if 100% of the 1996 MIP objective is achieved and the maximum percentage for
your position are detailed on Attachment I.

INCENTIVE OBJECTIVES
Attachment II provides the MIP objective for the current fiscal year.  The
objectives are correlated with the Operating Plan.  A percentage of incentive
achievement for each objective is set for each level of the above categories. 
These percentages do not necessarily increment or decrement in an arithmetical
progression.


<PAGE>

ATTACHMENT I

                               THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                            1996 MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

LEVEL: CORPORATE VICE PRESIDENT

PERCENT OF BASE SALARY (AS OF 1/1/96) IF 100% ACHIEVEMENT- 50%

MAXIMUM PAYOUT AS PERCENT OF BASE SALARY- 100%

INCENTIVE CATEGORY WEIGHTING-

    EBIT- 100%

AWARD IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION STOCK OWNERSHIP
PLAN


LEVEL: CORPORATE/GROUP VICE PRESIDENT

PERCENT OF BASE SALARY (AS OF 1/1/96) IF 100% ACHIEVEMENT- 30%

MAXIMUM PAYOUT AS PERCENT OF BASE SALARY- 60%

INCENTIVE CATEGORY WEIGHTING-

    EBIT- 100%

AWARD IS SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION STOCK OWNERSHIP
PLAN


<PAGE>

ATTACHMENT II
1996 MIP OBJECTIVES



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                            EVP          VP
                                                                                          LEVEL       LEVEL
CORPORATE
                                                                   EBIT   OBJECTIVE    BONUS %     BONUS % 
EBIT OBJECTIVE                                                      $'S    % LEVEL    OF SALARY   OF SALARY
<S>                                                      <C>    <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>      
MIP PLAN 100% TARGET                                            $11,250

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CATEGORY WEIGHT FACTOR                                                                   100.0%      100.0%

% OF SALARY IF AT 100% MIP OBJECTIVE                                                      50.0%       30.0%
MAXIMUM BONUS %  OF SALARY                                                               100.0%       60.0%

OBJECTIVE LEVEL/ % OF BASE SALARY BEFORE WEIGHT FACTOR:
                                                          80%    $9,000        0.0%        0.0%        0.0%
                                                          84%    $9,450       20.0%       10.0%        6.0%
                                                          88%    $9,900       40.0%       20.0%       12.0%
                                                          90%   $10,125       60.0%       30.0%       18.0%
                                                          96%   $10,800       80.0%       40.0%       24.0%
                                                         100%   $11,250      100.0%       50.0%       30.0%
                                                         104%   $11,700      120.0%       60.0%       36.0%
                                                         108%   $12,150      140.0%       70.0%       42.0%
                                                         112%   $12,600      160.0%       80.0%       48.0%
                                                         116%   $13,050      180.0%       90.0%       54.0%
                                                         120%   $13,500      200.0%      100.0%       60.0%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                    Sheet 1

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
LISTING OF SUBSIDIARIES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

               NAME                                            PARENT COMPANY               % OWNED   
               ----                                            --------------               -------   

<S>                                                  <C>                                    <C>       
Middleby Marshall Inc.                               The Middleby Corporation                  100%   
Victory International, Inc.                          Middleby Marshall Inc.                    100%   
Asbury Associates, Inc.                              Middleby Marshall Inc.                     80%   
Middleby Philippines Corporation                     Middleby Marshall Inc.                     80%   
Fab-Asia, Inc.                                       Middleby Marshall Inc.                     80%   
Asbury Worldwide (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.                  Middleby Marshall Inc.                     80%   
Victory Refrigeration Company                        Victory International, Inc.               100%   
Asbury S.L.                                          Asbury Associates Inc.                    100%   
International Catering and Equipment Supplies, Inc.  Asbury Associates Inc.                    100%   

Peterson Distributors, Inc. (1)                      Middleby Marshall Inc.                    100%   
Viking West, Inc. (1)                                Middleby Marshall Inc.                    100%   

</TABLE>



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)- Inactive wholly owned subsidiaries.


                                        Page 1

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                           1,092
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   21,953
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     28,853
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                55,970
<PP&E>                                          40,637
<DEPRECIATION>                                  15,213
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  93,865
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,759
<BONDS>                                         47,541
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            84
<OTHER-SE>                                      16,563
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    93,865
<SALES>                                         75,556
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                75,556
<CGS>                                           55,485
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   55,485
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                16,110
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,618
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,201
<INCOME-TAX>                                       407
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                794
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       794
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .09
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .09
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission