Cool your buns, everyone: Joey Chestnut — the 16-time winner of the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest — is returning to the competition this Fourth of July after being forced to sit it out last year amid a dispute with the contest organizers.
Major League Eating and Chestnut both announced his return Monday.
“This event means the world to me,” Chestnut said in a post on Instagram. “It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
The ever-impressive competitive eater was reportedly barred from the 2024 competition due to a dispute with Major League Eating after he signed a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, which makes vegan hot dogs. But the two sides reached a deal this time around, allowing him to participate in this July’s contest.
Chestnut said Monday he still works with companies “in the vegan space," but those partnerships never conflicted with his “love for hot dogs.”
“To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.”
George Shea, a spokesperson for Major League Eating, said the organization was “very pleased that everybody could come together during the negotiation to make this work.”
Chestnut’s repeated wins at the annual competition launched him to competitive-eating fame. In 2023, he made 62 franks disappear in the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. The winner last year, Patrick Bertoletti, ate 58 hot dogs.
The competition will take place on July 4 at Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, according to Major League Eating. Pre-show festivities begin at 10 a.m., followed by the women’s competition at 11 a.m. and then the men's competition at 12:30 p.m.
