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Joey Chestnut announced on Monday that he will return to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest next month after his absence from the event in 2024.
Chestnut, who has the competition’s record for most hot dogs eaten with 76 in 2021, wrote on social media that he and the organizers of the competition found common ground on his sponsorships. Chestnut’s partnership with Impossible Foods caused a problem for Nathan’s famous last year, and it kept the champion out of the competition.
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Joey Chestnut, winner of 2021 Nathan’s famous fourth July International Hot Dog Eating Competition, is for photos in Coney Island’s Maimonides Park on July 4, 2021 in Brooklyn Borough of New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman, File)
Come on July 4th, he’ll be back on Coney Island.
“I am excited to return to Nathan’s famous July fourth eatery competition. This event means the world to me. It is a loved tradition, a celebration of American culture and a huge part of my life,” Chestnut wrote on X.
“While I have and continues to collaborate with a number of companies, including some in the plant -based space, these conditions were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. Being clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.
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Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut, with his mustard yellow championship belt during a game between Georgia Bulldogs and Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Sloter/Image of Sport/Getty Images)
“I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I am grateful that we have been able to find common ground. I am excited to be back on the Coney Island scene, do what I live to do, and celebrate the fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands! Stay hungry!”
Last year, Chestnut ate 83 hot dogs in a Netflix-Special event called “unfinished beef” as he walked up against competitive eating rival Takeru Kobayashi.
These were the most hot dogs ever eaten in the story of competitive eating without being dipped in water.
Joey Chestnut Cheers after finishing in first place in 2023 Nathan’s famous fourth July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2023 at Coney Island in Brooklyn Borough of New York City. Chestnut won after eating 62 hot dogs. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Patrick Bertoletti won the competition last year with 58 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes.
