Nathan's hot dog contest to go on under Chinese ownership

Field Level Media|published: Thu 22nd January, 12:12 2026

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating champion Joey Chestnut's belt before the Lugnuts game against the TinCaps on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at Jackson Field in Lansing. Chestnut was participating in an olive burger eating contest before the game.

No changes are expected at the traditional Nathan's Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest following the sale of the parent company.

Smithfield Foods of Virginia, a subsidiary of the WH Group of China, is finalizing a deal to purchase Nathan's Famous in a $450 million transaction.

A spokesperson for Smithfield told Front Office Sports that the famed contest, which began in 1972, will continue on Coney Island with George Shea as the master of ceremonies.

The reigning champion of the Independence Day staple is Joey Chestnut, who in 2025 ate 70 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

The sale continues a longstanding relationship between Nathan's and Smithfield. The two have partnered since 2014, with Smithfield in charge of the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sale of Nathan's Famous products in the U.S. and Canada and at Sam's Club locations in Mexico.

--Field Level Media

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