Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, foodservice equipment specialist Middleby (MIDD -2.18%) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Middleby and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Middleby facts

 

 

Headquarters (founded)

Elgin, Ill. (1888)

Market Cap

$3.5 billion

Industry

Industrial machinery

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$1.1 billion

Management

Chairman/CEO Selim Bassoul

CFO Timothy FitzGerald

Return on Equity (average, past 3 years)

20.1%

Cash/Debt

$43.8 million/$641.8 million

Competitors

FMC Technologies 

Illinois Tool Works 

Manitowoc 

Sources: S&P Capital IQ and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 96% of the 2,570 members who have rated Middleby believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Just yesterday, one of those Fools, All-Star joryko, succinctly summed up the bull case for our community:

I see Middleby as a great opportunity to get into the Food and Dining industry, without having to deal with the ups and downs that are the Food and Dining industry. While certain restaurants may come and go with time, chances are Middleby and their equipment will be there to stay.

Already being the #1 provider of dining equipment to almost every dining segment, the company's strong management is allowed to focus on increasing its market share and maintaining product quality. ...

I believe today's current price is fair enough for me to jump in on.

While many restaurants will come and go, proving to be fads individually, the restaurant concept as a whole will continue to thrive, leaving Middleby in a beautiful spot to prosper.

5+ year outperformer and a thank you to The Motley Fool and Mr. Gardner for bringing this one to my attention.