Joey Chestnut Breaks Silence on Deal That Ended July 4 Hot Dog Contest Ban
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Joey Chestnut told USA TODAY on Monday that he was preparing for the "worst" — no pun intended — when the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest rolled around in July.
Chestnut, a 16-time champion of the event, did not participate in America's premier food-eating competition in 2024. He was declared ineligible by virtue of a deal he made with Impossible Foods, maker of a plant-based hot dog product. The ban ended Chestnut's 19-year run as the face of the event.
(1/3)I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title. — Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
Lacking the brevity of Michael Jordan's two-word announcement of his return to the NBA in 1995, Chestnut broke his silence on the resolution of the contractual dispute that led to his one-year absence from the July 4 event.
"It almost doesn't feel real yet," Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports. "I was preparing for the worst, but we were able to work it out."
Joey Chestnut reacts after winning first place, eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes, during the 2022 Nathans Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2022 at Coney Island in...
Joey Chestnut reacts after winning first place, eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes, during the 2022 Nathans Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2022 at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. MoreAccording to the report from Josh Peter, Chestnut agreed earlier this month to endorse only Nathan's hot dogs as part of a three-year contract with Nathan's and the International Federation of Competitive Eating (which runs the annual competition), but still has a deal with Impossible Foods.
Patrick Bertoletti won the main event on the men's side at last year's Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest. He consumed 58 hot dogs to claim the title.
Chestnut ate 62 hot dogs to win the event in 2023; his 76 hot dogs in 2021 are the gold standard.
I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. (1/3) — Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025
"I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life," Chestnut wrote on Twitter/X Monday. "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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with.
"I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. 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! Stay hungry!"
Last year, Chestnut consumed a record 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in a televised event ("Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef") on Sept. 2.
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