Joey Chestnut, one of the world’s top competitive eaters and holder of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest record, has announced his return to the event after a 2024 hiatus. The contest, a long-standing tradition on the Fourth of July in Coney Island, is set to take place next month, with Chestnut expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity to compete again.
The decision to return follows a sponsorship dispute last year between Chestnut and Nathan’s Famous. The conflict arose from Chestnut’s collaboration with Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based meat products. While Chestnut has continued to work with a variety of companies, including those in the plant-based space, his relationship with Nathan’s remains the only one in the hot dog industry. He clarified that his partnership with Impossible Foods was not a conflict with his love for hot dogs, and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has ever worked with.
Chestnut’s participation in the contest is expected to draw significant attention, as he has previously set records for hot dog consumption. Last year, he broke the world record for eating the most hot dogs without dunking them in water, achieving 83 hot dogs in a special event against Takeru Kobayashi. However, he was absent from the contest in 2024 due to the sponsorship disagreement. The contest organizer, Patrick Bertoletti, won the 2024 event with 58 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes.
Chestnut’s return to the contest is seen as a positive development for both the event and the competitive eating community. His statements on social media emphasized his appreciation for the contest’s cultural significance, highlighting its role as a celebration of American traditions. Chestnut’s excitement to be back on the Coney Island stage underscores the importance of the event in his career and personal life. As the contest approaches, anticipation is high for another record-breaking performance from the reigning champion.