The world-famous aggressive eater has formally settled his dispute with Nathan’s Well-known and confirmed he’ll as soon as once more take the stage at this yr’s Fourth of July Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest.
Chestnut was beforehand banned from the 2024 competitors after inking a take care of Unattainable Meals, selling their plant-based sizzling canine, one thing Nathan’s noticed as a direct risk to their iconic all-beef product and claimed to be a violation of their contract.
The endorsement deal led to main backlash, with Nathan’s pulling the plug on the long-running relationship simply weeks earlier than the annual occasion.
However now, Joey Chestnut is again, and with buns blazing.
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Joey Chestnut Returns To Nathan’s July 4th Contest
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest,” Chestnut stated in an announcement. “This occasion means the world to me. It’s a cherished custom, a celebration of American tradition, and an enormous a part of my life.”
Whereas Chestnut acknowledged his partnerships with firms within the plant-based meals area, he made it clear there was by no means any confusion in his thoughts about the place his loyalties lie. “To be clear: Nathan’s is the one sizzling canine firm I’ve ever labored with,” he stated. “I respect that there have been variations in interpretation, however I’m grateful we’ve been capable of finding widespread floor.”
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That “widespread floor” comes within the type of a brand-new, three-year endorsement take care of Nathan’s and the Worldwide Federation of Aggressive Consuming (IFOCE), which organizes the annual July 4th occasion.
“I’m excited to be again on the Coney Island stage, doing what I dwell to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with sizzling canine in my arms! Keep hungry!” Chestnut added.
He declined to disclose the monetary particulars of the deal however confirmed with USA TODAY Sports activities that he’s nonetheless collaborating with Unattainable Meals.
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Nathan’s Contest Announcer Speaks Out On Joey Chestnut’s Return
George Shea, the founding father of IFOCE and announcer for the Nathan’s contest, confirmed Chestnut is obvious to compete.
“We’re very excited to have Joey again and we imagine that is going to be the perfect contest ever,’’ Shea instructed USA TODAY Sports activities.
For the file, whereas Chestnut was out of the competitors final yr, Patrick Bertoletti claimed the lads’s title by consuming 58 sizzling canine and buns in 10 minutes, falling 18 in need of Chestnut’s record-setting 76.
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Chestnut As soon as Uncertain Of Nathan’s Return

“In the event that they got here again with comparable phrases we have been speaking about final yr, I might undoubtedly think about it,” he stated on the time. “I’d work with them to ensure there weren’t any conflicts with different sponsors… However truthfully, I don’t assume they need to go down that route. And yeah, it’s a bummer. I like that contest.”
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Sizzling Canine King Fired Again After Ban Over Plant-Based mostly Partnership

The drama started final yr when Main League Consuming introduced, “We’re devastated to be taught that Joey Chestnut has chosen to characterize a rival model that sells plant-based sizzling canine relatively than competing within the 2024 Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest.”
Joey then clapped again, setting the file straight. “I don’t have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s they usually need to change the principles from previous years because it pertains to different companions I can work with,” Chestnut stated on the time. “That is apparently the premise on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t affect the July 4th contest.”
As a substitute of competing in Nathan’s contest final yr, Joey competed in opposition to troopers from Fort Bliss throughout the annual “Pop Goes the Fort Independence Day” celebration.
Joey Chestnut’s Candy Victory

Along with his 16 victories at Nathan’s Well-known Sizzling Canine Consuming Contest, Joey Chestnut has confirmed he’s acquired a severe candy tooth, shattering a number of information within the dessert class.
In 2009, he devoured 5.9 kilos of funnel cake in simply 10 minutes. By 2013, he downed an astonishing 121 Twinkies in six minutes, and in 2017, he polished off 55 glazed doughnuts in solely eight minutes.
With simply weeks to go earlier than the long-lasting competitors, followers can breathe a sigh of aid understanding the recent canine king is returning to reclaim his crown, and sure break a number of extra information within the course of.