Nathan's Famous will be acquired by Smithfield Foods, which was sold in 2013 to Shuanghui (later renamed WH Group) a Chinese conglomerate listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The following year, Smithfield became the sole meatpacker and distributor for Nathan's Famous. (press release) update A Smithfield spokesperson stated the company plans to continue the eating contest.

January 21, 2026 at 11:01 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Business, China, Nathan's Hot Dog Contest | Permalink * Comments (26)

26 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    January 21, 2026 @ 12:09 pm

    How does this affect the sheas

  2. anonymous said

    January 21, 2026 @ 2:15 pm

    i think the classic comment by rich shea was from a source that joe menchetti posted on joes old blog called speedeat.com which quoted rich shea when he was asked about nathans “i dont eat that nathans crap”

  3. Anonymous said

    January 21, 2026 @ 3:06 pm

    They were doing their thing well before the previous sale, so probably not at all. I think the contest at Coney is too big of thing for any new owner to want to get rid of… at least while Joey is still around.

  4. Anonymous said

    January 21, 2026 @ 8:24 pm

    The show will go on.

  5. Anonymous said

    January 21, 2026 @ 11:13 pm

    How will this affect the dogs?

  6. Anonymous said

    January 22, 2026 @ 9:11 am

    So that means the sheas will continue to earn their quarter of a million dollars or maybe more to do the 4th of July contest

  7. Dog Eat Dog said

    January 22, 2026 @ 10:16 am

    Is it true that the Mustard Belt is being replaced by the Soy Sauce Sarong?!?!?

  8. Anonymous said

    January 22, 2026 @ 10:45 am

    Won’t affect the dogs most likely. Smithfield produces pork mainly. So if anything they’ll just improve distribution of the non beef hot dogs and improve the reach of Nathan’s nationally and possibly globally. Probably a good move if they keep quality high and reduce costs.

  9. Anonymous said

    January 22, 2026 @ 11:32 am

    Nathan’s hot dogs are a ripoff what are they like$5 a dog and they don’t even taste good

  10. Anonymous said

    January 22, 2026 @ 11:42 am

    For years someone on eatfeats has been calling nathan’s a Chinese company. Now they are absolutely correct! Lol. Its pretty funny.

  11. Anonymous said

    January 22, 2026 @ 8:36 pm

    When they took down the wall of fame next to Nathan’s restaurant krazy Kevin lip suits and don lerman wanted nothing to do with the sheas and major league eating because their images were on the wall

  12. Anony said

    January 22, 2026 @ 11:19 pm

    Chinese don’t care about female felons

  13. Anonymous said

    January 23, 2026 @ 3:46 pm

    Let’s drop it already the girl made a mistake I’m sure she regrets it she has feelings like every one else and she does frequent this site a comment like that is insensitive

  14. Anonymous said

    January 24, 2026 @ 11:08 pm

    I’m sure she will get dropped

  15. Anonymous said

    January 25, 2026 @ 12:39 pm

    Why don’t they get rid of that Australian company ass kisser Sam Barklay I can’t stand him

  16. Anonymous said

    January 25, 2026 @ 4:44 pm

    Yea. Shocking that her, cherish, Raina attacked… As long as the main commenters keep the attention off themselves unless it’s to compliment themselves the patter will continue

  17. Anonymous said

    January 26, 2026 @ 5:09 pm

    I just read that booker earns a high 6 figure income with YouTube doing his chugs is it worth gambling with your life?

  18. Anonymous said

    January 27, 2026 @ 9:04 pm

    The person that always said Nathan’s was a Chinese product was so correct. All the lies and now we need an American hot dog company to start the mustard belt. This is an American contest and should stay American

  19. Anonymous said

    January 28, 2026 @ 10:27 am

    As long as the sheas earn their quarter of a million dollar cut or maybe more they could care less who running the show

  20. anonymous said

    January 30, 2026 @ 8:54 am

    the major league eating website has sonya thomas picture all over the front page even though she gave up competing and dissapeared off the face of the earth proves that if they like you theyll keep your name around as long as they want Same applies to eaters with primitive eating skills whom are ranked way higher than they should be case in point crazy legs conti

  21. Anonymous said

    January 30, 2026 @ 10:31 am

    8:54 – I’m sure Conti, Sonya, and the Shea’s really care what an anonymous poster on EatFeats thinks. Sorry you never cracked the top 50.

  22. anonymous said

    January 30, 2026 @ 4:33 pm

    Conti girlfriend dumped for being a competitive eater hes never been the same

  23. anonymous said

    February 1, 2026 @ 9:42 pm

    8;54 FYI i was ranked 16th in 2004 no need to mention my name it will only attract the haters

  24. Anonymous said

    February 4, 2026 @ 12:46 pm

    2/1, 9:42 – looks like Seiken is back.

  25. Anonymous said

    February 4, 2026 @ 2:23 pm

    Question is if it his him is he welcome back

  26. Anonymous said

    February 4, 2026 @ 4:57 pm

    Only Seiken would write false details from the ancient days.

  27. Brooke Hicks said (Comment pending approval)

    February 8, 2026 @ 6:22 am

    Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content!

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