Joey Chestnut Barred from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for Promoting Rival Brand

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut will not compete in this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after signing a deal with Impossible Foods, a rival of Nathan's that has launched a vegan wiener.

Joey Chestnut's reign as the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion has been temporarily put on hold. The 16-time winner is reportedly barred from competing in this year's event due to a conflict of interest with his recent deal with Impossible Foods.

According to the New York Post, Chestnut has signed a deal with the company, a rival of Nathan's that has introduced a plant-based hot dog. This has led Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that hosts the contest, to prohibit Chestnut from participating.

MLE expressed its disappointment in a statement, saying, "We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest."

The league emphasized its long-standing agreement with Chestnut, which included an appearance fee and permission to compete in a rival hot dog eating contest on Labor Day. However, Chestnut's decision to promote Impossible Foods has apparently taken precedence.

"For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions," MLE said. "However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship."

MLE expressed its hope that Chestnut would return to the Nathan's contest once he is no longer representing a rival brand. "Joey Chestnut is an American hero," the league said. "We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest."

Chestnut, widely regarded as the "GOAT" of competitive eating, has won the Nathan's contest every year but one since 2007. His 76 dogs and buns in the 2021 contest remain a world record.

In addition to his Nathan's victories, Chestnut holds several other world records, including eating 32 Big Macs in 38 minutes, 44 Raising Cane's chicken fingers in five minutes, and 61.5 four-ounce pork roll sandwiches in 10 minutes.

Despite his impressive record, Chestnut's absence from this year's Nathan's contest will be a significant loss. It remains to be seen who will step up to challenge for the title in his absence.