Joey Chestnut Returns to Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest

Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion and world-record holder, will return to the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island after missing the 2024 event due to a contractual dispute over his partnership with Impossible Foods. Chestnut and Nathan’s have resolved their differences, with Chestnut signing a new three-year deal to endorse only Nathan’s hot dogs during the contest, while maintaining other plant-based partnerships. He aims to break his 2021 world record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. In 2024, Patrick Bertoletti won with 58 hot dogs, and Miki Sudo set a women’s record with 51. The event, held annually since 1916, draws international competitors and will feature a major charitable donation to the Food Bank for New York City. Organizers and fans have welcomed Chestnut’s return and expect a highly competitive contest.