Food Business Review

This article is part of Food Business Review's Innovation insights series featuring expert contributions nominated by our subscribers and reviewed by our editorial team.

David Shave,  Middleby Marshall | Food and Beverage Business Review | Top Conveyor Ovens Manufacturer

Perfection at Every Pass: How Middleby Marshall Delivers the Future of Foodservice with Conveyor Innovation

David Shave, President , Middleby Marshall

Conveyor Innovation Strategist

Editor’s Note: Automation and consistency are becoming defining factors in how foodservice operators scale quality while navigating labor and cost pressures. This perspective highlights how conveyor innovation is reshaping kitchen economics by turning precision cooking into a repeatable, system-driven advantage.

For more than 135 years, Middleby Marshall has been at the forefront of foodservice innovation where we have pioneered conveyor oven technology that reshaped the way kitchens operate across the globe. From the earliest impingement ovens that set industry standards to today’s most advanced infrared conveyor systems, we have consistently delivered solutions that empower operators to cook smarter, not harder.

At the core of our philosophy is one guiding principle: Perfection at every pass.
Every pizza, every sandwich, every entrée that travels through a Middleby Marshall oven should emerge perfectly cooked, every time. Whether it’s a school cafeteria serving hundreds of hat ilunches in minutes, a fast-casual chain striving for consistency across dozens of locations, or a stadium kitchen tasked with feeding thousands, Middleby Marshall delivers equipment that ensures speed, quality, and reliability with minimal labor.

Breaking Boundaries with LongWave Infrared

The latest addition to our lineup, the LongWave Infrared Conveyor Oven, represents a leap forward in cooking automation. Acting as an automated chargriller, it harnesses radiant heat to cook, sear, roast, broil, and bake with the push of a button. Unlike traditional chargrillers that demand constant attention and skilled operators, LongWave automates the process. Kitchens can achieve chef-level results—even without a chef on staff. With programmable controls and a wide temperature range of 300–1200°F, LongWave offers unmatched versatility. From sizzling steaks to delicate seafood, crispy vegetables, or golden baked goods, it adapts to diverse menus while reducing training and labor costs. In a time when labor shortages challenge nearly every operator, this technology provides not only consistency but also peace of mind.
  • At Middleby Marshall, innovation is in our DNA. For more than a century we’ve built a culture that thrives on pushing boundaries and delivering solutions that matter to operators. ‘Perfection at Every Pass’ isn’t just a tagline—it’s a promise to our customers that every product we engineer will raise the standard of consistency, quality, and reliability in their kitchens. – David Shave, President, Middleby Marshall


Ventless Flexibility Without Compromise

Middleby Marshall is equally proud to offer the largest ventless conveyor oven on the market—the PS638E-V. This model delivers high-volume output while eliminating the need for expensive hood systems. By reducing HVAC costs and allowing flexible placement, the PS638E-V helps operators maximize both efficiency and footprint. Capable of baking up to 152 pizzas per hour with 30% energy savings, this oven demonstrates how Middleby Marshall blends performance with sustainability.

Powered by Legacy, Driven by Innovation

What sets Middleby Marshall apart is not just the technology, but the legacy behind it. As part of The Middleby Corporation, we draw upon a global network of engineering expertise, manufacturing excellence, and customer support. This strength allows us to continually anticipate the evolving needs of foodservice operators and respond with breakthrough solutions.

From quick-service restaurants to fine dining, from schools to arenas, Middleby Marshall ovens are trusted worldwide because they embody what operators need most: consistency, durability, energy efficiency, and innovation.

The Future of Foodservice

Looking ahead, our focus remains clear: to keep raising the bar for conveyor cooking. As menus evolve and kitchens face new challenges, Middleby Marshall will continue to design equipment that adapts, innovates, and performs—empowering operators to thrive in a competitive market.

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The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.