Middleby Corp. has acquired Imperial Commercial Cooking Equipment, a Corona, Calif.-based manufacturer of ranges, fryers, ovens, countertop equipment and other specialty cooking products for the commercial kitchen. Imperial has annual revenues of approximately $40 million, per a release announcing the deal.
“While we are enhancing our current brand portfolio, this acquisition also expands our West Coast footprint and allows us to provide broader capabilities and support to our domestic customers,” says Tim FitzGerald, Middleby CEO, in a statement. “Working with our long-standing international distribution partners, Imperial has a prime opportunity to expand its global reach. Imperial also has an established presence in the quickly growing fast-casual chain restaurant segment, which will be a benefit to the Middleby brands as well.”
This deal is Middleby’s first acquisition since the Elgin, Ill.-based foodservice equipment manufacturer dropped its highly publicized pursuit of Welbilt back in July. Overall, 2021 has been an active year for Middleby beyond the mergers and acquisitions space. For example, back in February it opened the Middleby Innovations Kitchen, a 40,000 square foot facility that showcases its equipment lines.
