Joey Chestnut has announced his triumphant return to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest after sitting out last year’s competition over a stand-off about vegan meat.
“This event means the world to me,” Chestnut, 41, shared via Instagram on Monday, June 16. “It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
Chestnut was banned from competing in last year’s hot dog eating contest, held annually on July 4, after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, the maker of plant-based meat substitutes.
“While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs,” Chestnut continued. “To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.”
He continued, “I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.”
Chestnut won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the eighth consecutive year in 2023, scarfing down 62 hot dogs and buns.
“I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!” Chestnut added. “Stay hungry!”
In Chestnut’s absence, last year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest men’s division winner was Patrick Bertoletti, who ate 58 hot dogs and buns. Miki Sudo won the women’s division, eating 51 dogs and buns.
In 2021, Chestnut ate a world record 76 hot dogs and buns to claim victory. He has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest a record 16 times.
A spokesperson for Major League Eating (MLE) told Us Weekly in June 2024 that the decision to ban Chestnut was made after he decided to endorse “another hot dog brand” instead of Nathan’s.
“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” MLE said in a statement at the time.
The statement continued, “MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths in recent months to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day. For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”
The 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest goes down Friday, July 4, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell in Coney Island.
