After a one-year hiatus due to a sponsorship disagreement, Joey Chestnut will make his return to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest in 2025.
The 16-time champion and the most dominant competitive eater of his generation was forced out of last year's event by Major League Eating after he signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company.
Patrick Bertoletti took the crown in Chestnut's absence, but "Jaws" will be as motivated as ever to wolf down a record number of glizzies at Coney Island in 2025.
Here's a look at why Chestnut was barred from the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
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Why was Joey Chestnut banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Chestnut will make his return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025 after he was banned from the competition by Major League Eating last year over a sponsorship disagreement.
Chestnut had recently signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, which develops plant-based food products. The company launched a marketing campaign in 2024 specifically targeting meat-eaters. MLE said in a statement that Chestnut had "chosen to represent a rival brand" rather than Nathan's in the Coney Island contest.
"For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions," the statement said. "However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship."
Chestnut responded to the ban on social media, citing his disappointment for not being able to compete in the event and accusing MLE of "looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with."
"I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title," Chestnut said. "[The decision by MLE and Nathan's] will deprive the great fans of the holiday's usual joy and entertainment."
"Jaws" decided to take his eating talents to a different event at the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas, where he ate 57 hot dogs to his opponents' 49.
Is Joey Chestnut vegan?
No, Chestnut is not a vegan, but he signed a deal with Impossible Foods last year, which makes plant-based substitutions for food products that normally contain meat. Chestnut is back for the 2025 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, where he put down 62 beef hot dogs the last time he won the event in 2023.
Joey Chestnut vegan hot dog endorsement
Before the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest, Chestnut signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based products that can substitute for meat. The company released promotional videos on social media with Chestnut before the 4th of July last year.
Can't sleep. Too excited to spend July 4th with @joeyjaws. pic.twitter.com/NQJnJiSS0s
— Impossible Foods (@ImpossibleFoods) July 3, 2024
Chestnut is still signed with Impossible Foods, but he has been invited back by Major League Eating to compete in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest this year.