Joey Chestnut Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Joey Chestnut Net Worth (Money & Salary)
October 29, 2024
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Understanding Joey Chestnut’s Financial Status
Discovering the substantial net worth of Joey Chestnut and his career earnings
The net worth of Joey Chestnut, an American competitive eater, is estimated at $3 million. His career skyrocketed after winning the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the first time in 2007. His victory on July 4, 2023, marked his 16th win in the competition. At various points, Joey has held the title of top-ranked eater in the world by the Major League of Eating.
In 2005, Chestnut joined the Nathan’s contest, consuming 32 hot dogs. His rapid ascent led to him dethroning the reigning champion, Takeru Kobayashi, in 2007. Subsequently, he has maintained a dominant presence in the competitive eating scene.
Aside from his triumphs at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut has set records in various food categories. Notable feats include consuming 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 minutes, and 53 soft beef tacos in 10 minutes. In 2021, he set a new world record by devouring 76 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes. His exceptional ability to consume large quantities of food swiftly has earned him the moniker “Jaws” and solidified his reputation in the competitive eating world.
Yearly Income
The reward for winning Nathan’s stands at $10,000. While not a significant amount, it provides unrivaled exposure for these athletes throughout the year. A top-tier competitive eater can amass annual earnings ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 from prize winnings and sponsorships. Joey’s longtime rival, Takeru Kobayashi, has been absent from recent Nathan’s contests due to disputes with the Major League Eating organization.
Joey has a line of condiments marketed under his brand, including mustard, dipping sauce, coney sauce, hot sauce, and more.
Collaboration with Impossible Foods
In June 2024, news broke of Joey signing a 4-year, $1.2 million deal with vegan food company Impossible Foods. The agreement entails an average annual sum of $400,000, somewhat restricting Joey’s participation in Nathan’s traditional Fourth of July contest. Contrary to initial reports, he was not prohibited from the competition.
Netflix Showdown with Kobayashi
A day post the Impossible Foods deal announcement, it was disclosed that Joey inked a deal with Netflix for a live showdown against Kobayashi. Dubbed “Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” the live event is scheduled for September 2, 2024.
Early Years
Joey Chestnut, born on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky, began his journey at San Jose State University, participating in eating contests from 2005 onwards. Graduating in 2012 was delayed as he frequently traveled for competitions.
One of his initial feats was winning an asparagus-eating competition, surpassing top-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by consuming nearly six and a half pounds of deep-fried asparagus in 11.5 minutes.
Becoming a Pro
In 2005, Joey debuted at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, clinching third place by eating 32 hot dogs. Sonya Thomas took second with 37, while Takeru Kobayashi emerged victorious with 49. That year, he also set a grilled cheese sandwich eating record of 32.5 in ten minutes, winning the GoldenPalace World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship.
His culinary prowess continued to shine, triumphing over Sonya Thomas at the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship and securing second place in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in 2005.
At the 2006 Nathan’s event, Kobayashi set a world record with 53 and 3/4ths hotdogs consumed. Joey claimed the US record with 52.
The following year, Joey won the Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia by devouring 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes. He also defeated the six-year reigning champ Kobayashi at the annual Nathan’s Contest, consuming 66 hotdogs to Kobayashi’s 63. Joey’s 2007 victories extended to winning the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, where he ate 103 Krystal burgers in under eight minutes.
Between 2007 and 2015, Joey secured eight consecutive Nathan’s Contest victories.
In 2020 and 2021, he established new records by devouring 75 and then 76 hot dogs in ten minutes. Despite a protester interruption during his 2022 win, where Joey restrained the individual in a hold, he managed to consume 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Matt Stonie bested him in 2015, but Joey reclaimed the title in 2016 by eating 70 hot dogs, setting a new benchmark. Subsequently, he ruled the competition from 2016 to 2020.
His personal best stands at 76 hot dogs in a single contest.
In 2008, Joey set two new world records, devouring 241 wings in 30 minutes at the Wing Bowl and consuming 78 matzo balls during the Kenny & Ziggy’s World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship in Houston. He also devoured a 4.5-pound ribeye steak, salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and roll in just under nine minutes at The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Despite tying with Kobayashi, he emerged victorious at Nathan’s after an eat-off. However, Kobayashi outate him in a chicken satay eating showdown shortly after, consuming nearly twelve pounds to Joey’s nine.
In 2009, Joey set another record by consuming 10.5 pounds of macaroni and cheese in seven minutes. Retaining his title at Nathan’s, he exceeded his previous record by consuming 68 hotdogs, nine more than in 2008. Although Kobayashi defeated him at the Krystal Hamburger Championship, Joey gained fame on “Man v. Food” by vanquishing a massive five-pound burrito in slightly over three minutes.
His achievements in 2010 included triumphing at the Shrimp Wontons eating contest in Singapore and clinching his fourth consecutive win at Nathan’s, albeit falling short of his prior record. Furthermore, he won the Pepto Bismol Bratwurst Eating Championship by consuming 42 brats in 12 minutes and conquered the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition by devouring 37 slices in 10 minutes. In 2011, he emerged victorious once again at Nathan’s, albeit at an off-site event where Kobayashi set a new world record by consuming 69 hotdogs, refusing to sign that year’s contract for the official contest.
In 2012, Joey set a new record at the Toojay’s Corned Beef Eating Competition in Palm Beach Gardens, consuming 20 corned beef sandwiches…
At the Nathan’s Contest, he defended his title once again and tied his personal record of 68 hotdogs. He also participated in a wing-eating competition against some contestants on “Hell’s Kitchen” the same year he appeared on the show. Breaking his record the following year at the Nathan’s Contest with 69 hotdogs, he also emerged victorious at the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship and the Hillshire Farm Bratwurst Eating World Championship.
In 2018, Chestnut competed on “The Amazing Race 30” alongside fellow competitive eater Tim Janus. He is scheduled to compete at the 2023 Jack’s Donuts World Donut Hole Eating Championship.
Training
Chestnut’s training regimen involves fasting and stomach stretching with milk, water, and protein supplements. For hot dog contests, he gradually increases his daily intake, starting with 40 hot dogs at a time.
Other Accolades and Records
Joey treats competitive eating as a full-time occupation. He maintains his training intensity throughout the year by fasting and expanding his stomach capacity with protein supplements, water, and milk. His weight fluctuates between 210 and 225 pounds.
Joey holds numerous eating records, including hard-boiled eggs (141 in eight minutes), bratwurst (70 in 10 minutes), Matzoh balls (78 in eight minutes), and hot dogs (achieving 69 in 10 minutes at the 2013 Nathan’s contest). He also set records for steak, pork ribs, and asparagus.
He broke the record for hot dogs at various contests, from 70 in 2016 to a world-record 74 in 2017, and set a new record of 76 in the 2021 Nathan’s contest. In April 2023, Joey won the Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, devouring 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.
Personal Life
Before defending his 2014 Nathan’s title, Joey proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa. Sadly, they broke up in early 2015 before their planned wedding date. Joey Chestnut now resides in Westfield, Indiana.