BigHospitality.co.uk has an article examining if it makes financial sense for establishments to offer eating challenges focusing on United Kingdom restaurants.
The Daily Mail has an article and video of a London commodities trader experiencing a "reversal of fortune" after he attempted to eat eight Quarter Pounder burgers in his office. He would have received £300 if he was successful.
Matt Stonie on Parade Magazine cover
Matt Stonie appears on the cover of today’s edition of Parade Magazine. The topic of the newspaper insert is people’s annual income. (Ironically, he has Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) on his left and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on his right). His earnings are listed as $33,850, a figure which looks surprisingly familiar.
QZ.com has an article titled "Your next best hire might be a competitive eater" focusing on Yasir Salem and Matt Stonie, who has put his nutrition studies on hiatus to focus on his competitive eating career and youtube channel.
Forbes.com has an article about Nathan's Famous junk bond financed special dividend, which will pay out over a third of the company's total market capitalization.
Bloomberg Business reports that Nathan's Famous has sold $135 million of junk bonds. The bulk of the proceeds ($116 million) will be used to pay a dividend to shareholders. update March 3 Crain's New York Business reports that developer Howard Lorber, owner of a 22% stake in the company, will receive approximately $25 million from the dividend.
Jon Bello has posted a picture of some of the T-shirts he has collected from eating contests and challenges.
DNAInfo reports that Taco in a Bag will be moving to Lincoln Square in north Chicago after its lease expires in the Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee, IL. Co-owner Pat Bertoletti calls his competitive eating career a "hamster wheel of bad life decisions".
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Todd Greenwald is being sued by one of the co-founders of the Association of Independent Competitive Eaters (AICE) for allegedly reneging on an oral agreement to become partners and co-owners of All Pro Eating. The lawsuit seeks over $25,000 in damages.
A press release announces that the total amount gambled at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, CT in November 2014 declined by 8.2% from November 2013 ($510 million to $468 million) despite holding a MLE turkey eating contest before Thansgiving.
2014 MLE moneywinners
Here is a list of people who won cash in a MLE contest in 2014 according to the eatfeats database.
| $57,150 | Joey “Jaws” Chestnut |
| $32,850 | Matt “Megatoad” Stonie |
| $22,675 | Miki Sudo |
| $10,200 | Adrian “The Rabbit” Morgan |
| $8,750 | Michelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco |
| $7,800 | Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas |
| $4,650 | Erik “The Red” Denmark |
| $4,300 | Tim “Eater X” Janus |
| $3,700 | “The Lovely” Juliet Lee |
| $2,950 | Crazy Legs Conti |
The new poll asks what do you think is the minimum amount of winnings in a year for a competitive eater to have "professional" status.
Cameron McKirdy is selling DVDs about how to become a professional competitive eater.
Fox CT has a video and article about Jamie McDonald and his restauarant, Bear's Smokehouse BBQ.
Joey Chestnut will be signing autographs in Rosemont, IL on November 23.
The new poll asks who you think is better off signing the MLE contract. My understanding of the standard contract (which might be wrong) is that signees give up not only the right to participate in non-MLE eating contests and challenges, but cannot earn money from food / restaurant marketing without permission. In return, they receive a higher chance of getting contests spots, a ranking and travel expenses, but get nothing guaranteed.
In a reddit.com thread about Corporate Darwin Awards, one of the submissions is about Edna Morris, former president of Red Lobster, who left her position in 2003 after the company incurred significant losses from an all you can eat crab leg offer.
Joey Chestnut signed autographs at a show in Philadelphia today. He reportedly received $29 per signature.
CQLCorp has a list of five business lessons learned from attempt at the Fifth Third burger at a West Michigan Whitecaps game. The final lesson is "Don't eat 5lb burgers".
Joey Chestnut is expected to sign autographs at the 2014 Philadelphia Fanatics Authentic Sports Spectacular Collectors Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania from October 17-19.
WNYPapers reports that Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino will become the title sponsor for the MLE wing eating contest at the Buffalo Wing Festival on August 31. The contest purse remains at $2,800 despite the new sponsorship.
Surf and Stillwell has a picture of a Nathan's T-shirt autographed by most (if not all) of the 2014 Nathan's finalists.
Business Week has an interview with Meredith "Deep Fried Diva" Boxberger about how her competitive eating career has helped her job prospects. She is serving as a marketing intern for Mars Chocolate this summer and expects to graduate with a MBA from Michigan State University next year.
Depsite calling its hot dog eating contest a "brilliant exercise in brand building", investorplace.com suggests passing on purchasing Nathan's stock.
The Daily Herald has an article about Taco in a Bag, the restaurant owned by Pat Bertoletti and Tim Brown in West Dundee, IL, which reports that business has declined after the first three weeks the taco stand has been open.
Loading ...