Nathan’s Famous, a historic hot dog brand, has been sold to Smithfield Foods, a Chinese-owned company, for $450 million. Founded in 1916 by Nathan Handwerker in Coney Island, Nathan’s began as a five-cent hot dog stand.
• Nathan’s Famous has a rich history, starting with an immigrant's $300 loan.
• The original location still operates today and has expanded significantly since being sold in 1987.
• Nathan’s is best known for its hot dog-eating contest on July 4th, attracting large crowds and featuring competitive eater Joey Chestnut.
• There are concerns among fans about a well-known American brand being owned by a foreign company, with some questioning the implications for American businesses.
• Despite rising ingredient costs impacting profits, Smithfield has assured that the annual hot dog contest will continue.
• Joey Chestnut, a dominant figure in the contest, returned in 2025 after missing the previous year due to sponsorship conflicts, consuming 70.5 hot dogs in ten minutes.
The sale of Nathan's Famous marks a significant change for this iconic American brand, which remains popular for its hot dogs and annual eating contest despite ongoing challenges in the food industry.
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