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The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest two years ago was unusual in that it lacked the greatest competitive eater of all time.
Joey Chestnut, a 16-time winner of the event, was not eligible to participate in 2024 after he signed a deal with Nathan’s rival Impossible Foods. Chestnut was still on the sidelines months before the 2025 competition when he announced that he and the organizers had reached a common ground on sponsorships.
It brought Chestnut, now a 17-time winner after recapturing the belt last year, back to Coney Island.
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Joey Chestnut wins the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th win after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“It was great. The crowd is great, it’s electric. It’s good to be back after mending some fences,” Chestnut recently told Pakinomist Digital. “I’m doing what I love. I got the best job in the world. I get to eat, travel, hit people and meet happy people. So it was great to be back.”
Chestnut’s return to the big stage was, well, grand. Credit goes to Patrick Bertoletti, who put down 58 dogs and bunts in Chestnut’s absence to take home the title two years ago. But Chestnut hasn’t posted a number this “low” since 2010. And while Coney Island Nathans still had a decent crowd, it doesn’t compare to when Chestnut is on stage.
For the greatest ever, though, it was never about a comeback – just winning and celebrating Independence Day.
“It’s never about me. It’s not even about hot dogs. It’s the Fourth of July. It’s an eating contest, but really it’s a celebration of the Fourth of July, it’s a party in New York. And the contest, it’s hard to describe exactly,” Chestnut said.
Joey Chestnut prepares to compete in the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returns to compete for a 17th win after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
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“It’s an event, it’s more than just an eating contest. It’s part of the Fourth of July celebration for New York City, and I’m only a very small part of it. And when it comes to that celebration, I’m very happy that I could come back and be a part of people’s Fourth of July.”
Chestnut won his first title in 2007, taking down the dynastic eater that was Takeru Kobayashi. Since then he has won 17 of the last 18 events he has entered. Matt Stonie pulled off an upset in 2015.
When he returned to Coney Island, Chestnut downed 70 hot dogs, an improvement from the 62 he ate in 2023. So clearly, there are no signs of slowing down. But Chestnut knows time is ticking and he wants to make the most of it.
“When I was younger, I could gain weight and then lose it very quickly. Now it’s a lot more work, but I still love it. And I know my body,” Chestnut said. “But as long as I’m competitive, as long as it’s OK and I’m healthy. I want to be involved. I just talked to a guy who’s 58 years old and he’s been doing this since I started. And he’s still able to do it. I’m like, ‘Okay, I can do this.’ I’ve got a couple more years and we’ll see.”
Joey Chestnut wins the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th win after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
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“It’s really like, I really feel like it’s one of the best gigs out there. I get to travel, eat, and dude, it’s the most fun,” Chestnut said. “After I eat, I’m all sweaty, greasy, messy, and then people want to take pictures with me. It’s the funnest thing in the world.”
“As long as I can, I will.”
