# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000769520
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-004740
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 15639
**Document Hash:** 51017f9b2c4ad4e8c6f1395778bbe652
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-004740.hdr.sgml**: 20260106

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-004740

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 13

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260106

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260106

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260106

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** MIDDLEBY Corp
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000769520
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REFRIGERATION & SERVICE INDUSTRY MACHINERY [3580]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 06 Technology
- **EIN:** 363352497
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0103

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-09973
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26512681

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

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

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** MIDDLEBY CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19920703

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? 8-K

### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549

### FORM 8-K

#### CURRENT REPORT

#### Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

#### of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#### Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 6, 2026

## THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION

#### (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **1-9973** | **36-3352497** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction**<br> **of Incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(IRS Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

---

---

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

---

(847) 741-3300

#### (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

#### N/A

#### (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

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

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

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

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

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of Each Class** | **Trading<br>Symbol(s)** | **Name of Each Exchange**<br> **on Which Registered** |
| Common Stock | MIDD | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |

---

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

Emerging growth company ☐

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

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 1.01** | **Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.**  |

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On January 6, 2026, The Middleby Corporation (the "Company") entered into an Amendment to Cooperation Agreement (the "Amendment") with Garden Investment Management, L.P. ("GI"), which amends that certain Cooperation Agreement, dated February 24, 2025, by and among the Company and GI (the "Cooperation Agreement").

The Amendment extends the term of the Cooperation Agreement for another year, such that the Company has agreed to include Ed Garden in the Company's slate of nominees for the election of directors at the Company's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the "2026 Annual Meeting"), the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") will recommend, support, and solicit proxies for Ed Garden's election to the Board at the 2026 Annual Meeting, GI will continue to abide by the same standstill restrictions and voting commitments described in the Cooperation Agreement until the earlier of Mr. Garden ceasing to serve on the Board or 45 days prior to the advance notice deadline for the Company's 2027 annual meeting of stockholders (the "Extended Standstill Period"), and the Company and GI will continue to abide by the same mutual non-disparagement provisions set forth in the Cooperation Agreement over the Extended Standstill Period.

The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.**  |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Exhibits

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 10.1 | [Amendment to Cooperation Agreement, dated January 6, 2026, by and among Garden Investment Management, L.P. and The Middleby Corporation.](d57716dex101.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |

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SIGNATURES

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

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION | THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION |
| Date: January 6, 2026 | By: | /s/ Bryan E. Mittelman |
|  |  | Bryan E. Mittelman |
|  |  | Chief Financial Officer |

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## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1** 

**EXECUTION VERSION** 

**<u>AMENDMENT TO COOPERATION AGREEMENT</u>**

This Amendment to Cooperation Agreement (this "<u>Amendment</u>"), dated as of January 6, 2026, is entered into by and between The Middleby Corporation (the "<u>Company</u>"), and Garden Investment Management, L.P. ("<u>GI</u>"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Amendment shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (as defined below).

**WHEREAS**, the Company and GI previously entered into that certain Cooperation Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2025 (the "<u>Agreement</u>"), with respect to certain matters relating to the election of members of the Company's Board of Directors (the "<u>Board</u>") and certain other matters, as provided therein;

**WHEREAS**, pursuant to the Agreement, the Board appointed Ed Garden (the "<u>New Director</u>") as a director on the Board, included the New Director on the Company's slate of director nominees in the Company's proxy statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting, and the New Director was subsequently elected at the 2025 Annual Meeting for a term to expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting; and

**WHEREAS**, pursuant to Section 1(a)(v) of the Agreement, the Company has informed GI that the New Director will be included on the Company's slate of nominees for the 2026 Annual Meeting and, accordingly, pursuant to Section 9 of the Agreement, the Company and GI desire to extend the Agreement, as provided herein, which shall be effective from the date hereof, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

**NOW**, **THEREFORE**, in consideration of, and reliance upon, the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and GI agree as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Amendments to the Agreement</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Section 1(a)(i) of the Agreement is deleted in its entirety and replaced by the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) the Board and all applicable committees thereof shall take such actions as are necessary to include the New
Director in the Company's slate of director nominees in the Company's proxy statement and all other proxy materials referencing the Company's director slate for its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the " <u>2026 Annual Meeting</u> ");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Section 1(a)(ii) of the Agreement is amended by replacing the reference to the 2025 Annual Meeting with a
reference to the 2026 Annual Meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Section 1(a)(iv) of the Agreement is amended by replacing the reference to the 2025 Annual Meeting with a
reference to the 2026 Annual Meeting, and by replacing the reference to the 2026 Annual Meeting with a reference to the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (including any special meeting held in lieu thereof) (the " <u>2027 Annual Meeting</u> ").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Section 1(a)(v) of the Agreement is amended, effective as of the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meeting, by
replacing the references to the 2026 Annual Meeting with references to the 2027 Annual Meeting, it being understood that the Company shall be deemed to have delivered a Slate Notice that includes the New Director for purposes of the 2026 Annual
Meeting upon execution of this Amendment.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Section 2(a) of the Agreement is amended by replacing the references to the 2026 Annual Meeting with
references to the 2027 Annual Meeting, except that the reference to the 2026 Annual Meeting in clause (3) of Section 2(a) shall only be deemed replaced with a reference to the 2027 Annual Meeting upon the conclusion of the 2026 Annual
Meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Section 2(b) of the Agreement is amended by replacing the references to the 2025 Annual Meeting with
references to the 2026 Annual Meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) For the avoidance of doubt, references to this Agreement in Section 15 of the Agreement shall be deemed to
include this Amendment and the negotiation, execution, delivery and implementation hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) <u>No Other Modifications</u>. Except as expressly set forth herein, no other modification of the Agreement is
intended to be effected by this Amendment, and the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Representations and Warranties of All Parties</u>. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other party hereto that: (a) such party has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) this Amendment has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by such party and assuming the valid execution and delivery hereof by the other party, is a valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; and (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment does not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to such party, or (ii) result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both could constitute a breach, violation or default) under or pursuant to, or result in the loss of a material benefit under, or give any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any organizational document, agreement, contract, commitment, understanding or arrangement to which such party is a party or by which it is bound.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Representations and Warranties of GI</u>. GI represents and warrants that, as of the date of this Amendment: (a) GI, together with all of the GI Affiliates, collectively Beneficially Own, such an aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as reported on Form 4 by Mr. Garden filed with the SEC on December 15, 2025; and (b) except for such ownership, neither GI, individually or in the aggregate with all of the GI Affiliates, has any other Beneficial Ownership or have any economic exposure to any Voting Securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>SEC Filing</u>. The Company shall file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing its entry into this Amendment and including a copy of this Amendment as an exhibit thereto. GI shall file with the SEC an amendment to its Schedule 13D, filed with the SEC on May 16, 2025 (the "<u>Amended Schedule 13D</u>") disclosing its entry into this Amendment and including a copy of this Amendment as an exhibit thereto. None of the Company (and the Company shall cause each of its Affiliates, directors and officers not to), GI and the GI Affiliates shall make or cause to be made any public announcement or statement with respect to the subject of this Amendment or the Agreement that is in any way inconsistent with the statements made in such Form 8-K or the Amended Schedule 13D, except as required by law or the rules of any stock exchange, in connection with the enforcement of this Amendment, or with the prior written consent of the other party hereto. GI acknowledges and agrees that the Company intends to file this Amendment with the SEC as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and to file this Amendment as an exhibit to future filings with the SEC, and the Company acknowledges and agrees that GI shall have reasonable advance review and consultation rights upon any Current Report on Form 8-K filing (or amendment thereto) or press release made by the Company with respect to this Amendment. The Company acknowledges and agrees that GI intends to file this Amendment with the SEC as an exhibit to the Amended Schedule 13D and GI acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall have reasonable advance review and consultation rights upon the Amended Schedule 13D.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Miscellaneous</u>. The provisions of Section 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 of the Agreement are incorporated by reference herein *mutatis mutandis*, and this Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, such provisions.

[*Signature Pages Follow*]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized signatories of the parties as of the date hereof.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION | THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION |
| By: | /s/ Michael D. Thompson |
| Name: | Michael D. Thompson |
| Title: | General Counsel & Secretary |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| GARDEN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P. | GARDEN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, L.P. |
| By: | /s/ Brian Jacoby |
| Name: | Brian Jacoby |
| Title: | Authorized Person |

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[*Signature Page to Amendment to Cooperation Agreement*]