Nathan's Famous

Nathan's Famous, Inc. is a renowned American company specializing in fast-food cuisine, particularly famous for its hot dogs. Established in 1916 by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker, the original stand was located at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.

This modest nickel hot dog stand, started with a $300 loan and his wife Ida's secret recipe, has since evolved into a globally recognized brand.

Over the decades, Nathan's Famous has expanded its offerings beyond hot dogs to include hamburgers, cheesesteaks, onion rings, meatball heroes, chicken, and milkshakes.

The company operates both company-owned and franchised restaurants, with over 400 locations across all 50 states and 17 foreign countries. Additionally, Nathan's products are available in approximately 78,000 retail locations including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, and club stores throughout the United States.

Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

A hallmark of Nathan's Famous is its annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every July 4th at the original Coney Island location. This event has become a significant part of American culture, attracting competitive eaters from around the world.

The contest gained public attention since the mid-2000s due to the stardom of Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut. In the 2025 contest, Joey Chestnut consumed 70.5 hot dogs, while Miki Sudo won the women's competition with 33 hot dogs.

Strategic Growth and Market Presence

In recent years, Nathan's Famous has been exploring strategic growth opportunities, including potential sales discussions. As of February 2025, the company was in preliminary talks about putting itself on the market.

Potential buyers include private equity groups and major food manufacturers. Despite these considerations, Nathan's continues to maintain its presence in the fast-food industry, focusing on delivering quality products and experiences to its customers.

Headquarters and Locations

Nathan's Famous operates its headquarters in Jericho, New York.

Other locations include:

• Yonkers, NY, USA