Joey Chestnut Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Joey Chestnut’s Net Worth and Career Earnings?

With a net worth of $3 million, Joey Chestnut stands out as a prominent figure in the competitive eating circuit, widely recognized as the most successful competitive eater to date. His rise to fame started in 2007 when he clinched victory at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the first time. Fast forward to July 4, 2023, he achieved an impressive 16th win in the same competition. Throughout the years, he has also been hailed as the leading competitive eater globally by the Major League of Eating.

Chestnut made his competitive eating debut in 2005 at Nathan’s contest, consuming an impressive 32 hot dogs. His rapid ascent in the sport saw him dethroning the then-reigning champion, Takeru Kobayashi, in 2007, after which Chestnut established himself as a formidable contender in competitive eating.

Beyond his victories at Nathan’s, Chestnut has shattered multiple records across various food competitions. Highlights include devouring 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 minutes, and 53 soft beef tacos in just 10 minutes. His record-setting moment came in 2021 when he consumed 76 hot dogs and buns within a mere 10 minutes, marking a significant world record. Known by the nickname “Jaws,” his astounding capability to consume vast amounts of food swiftly has made him synonymous with competitive eating.

Annual Earnings

The winner of Nathan’s contest takes home a prize of $10,000. While it may not seem like a substantial amount, the visibility gained from such events far exceeds what other athletes typically receive throughout the year. A leading competitive eater can easily amass annual earnings ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 via prize money and sponsorship deals. In recent years, Joey’s long-standing competitor, Takeru Kobayashi, has opted out of Nathan’s, largely due to disputes over contracts with the Major League of Eating organization.

Furthermore, Joey has developed a product line of condiments under his brand, offering mustard, dipping sauce, coney sauce, hot sauce, and more.

Impossible Foods Endorsement

In June 2024, news broke of Joey signing a 4-year endorsement agreement valued at $1.2 million with Impossible Foods, a vegan food company. Averaging $400,000 a year, this deal may limit his participation in Nathan’s annual Fourth of July contest; however, contrary to widespread reports, he was not banned from the event.

Netflix Kobayashi Showdown

Just a day following the announcement of his Impossible Foods deal, it was disclosed that Joey had also secured a contract with Netflix for a live event against Kobayashi. This event is titled “Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” and is scheduled to be broadcast on September 2, 2024.

Early Life

Born on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky, Joey Chestnut later moved to San Jose State University, where he initiated his journey in competitive eating by taking part in various eating contests in 2005. Although he didn’t graduate until 2012, a considerable portion of that time was spent traveling for competitions.

One

of Joey’s first significant competitions was an asparagus-eating contest. Coming in first place, Joey outperformed seasoned eater Rich LeFevre, consuming nearly six and a half pounds of deep-fried asparagus in a mere 11.5 minutes.

Turning Professional

In 2005, he participated in what would turn out to be his inaugural Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Achieving third place, he managed to gulp down 32 hot dogs, while Sonya Thomas secured second place with 37. The champion of that year was Takeru Kobayashi, who devoured 49 hot dogs. That same year, Joey established a new world record by eating 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in ten minutes, earning the championship title at the GoldenPalace World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship.

Joey Chestnut’s star in competitive eating continued to ascend as he overcame Sonya Thomas in the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship and finished as a runner-up in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, both events also taking place in 2005.

At the Nathan’s event in 2006, Kobayashi set a world record by eating 53 and 3/4ths hot dogs, while Joey achieved second place with 52, which marked a new US record.

The following year, Chestnut triumphed in the Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia, where he consumed 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes. He also finally emerged victorious in the annual Nathan’s Contest, defeating six-time reigning champion Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs against Kobayashi’s 63. At the end of 2007, Joey clinched the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship by consuming 103 Krystal burgers in under eight minutes.

Joey went on to capture eight consecutive Nathan’s Contests from 2007 through 2015.

He set new records in both 2020 and 2021, eating 75 hot dogs and then 76 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. In 2022, despite an interruption from a protestor whom he placed in a chokehold, he achieved his 15th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest title, consuming 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Matt Stonie triumphed in the 2015 contest, but Joey redeemed himself in 2016 by devouring 70 hot dogs, reclaiming his title and setting a new record. He continued to win the following dives between 2016 and 2020.

Joey’s highest record in a single competition stands at 76 hot dogs.

In 2008, Chestnut broke two new world records. In February, he set a new record at the Wing Bowl by eating 241 wings in 30 minutes. He also consumed 78 matzo balls during the Kenny & Ziggy’s World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship held in Houston. In March, at The Big Texan Steak Ranch located in Amarillo, Texas, he set a new male record by finishing a 4.5-pound ribeye steak, including salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and roll in just under nine minutes. Furthermore, he again won the Nathan’s Contest through an eat-off after tying with Kobayashi. Not long after, Chestnut was defeated by Kobayashi in a chicken satay eating competition, where he consumed nearly nine pounds of chicken compared to Kobayashi’s twelve.

In 2009, the following year, Chestnut set another world record by eating 10.5 pounds of macaroni and cheese in just seven minutes. He also again secured victory at the Nathan’s Contest, surpassing his prior record by eating 68 hot dogs, nine more than in 2008. However, he was outperformed by Kobayashi at the Krystal Hamburger Championship. Additionally, he appeared on “Man v. Food,” where he consumed a massive five-pound burrito in slightly over three minutes.

In 2010, Chestnut won the Shrimp Wontons eating competition in Singapore and claimed the Nathan’s Contest title for the fourth consecutive year, although he didn’t break his previous record. He also emerged victorious at the Pepto Bismol Bratwurst Eating Championship, consuming 42 brats in 12 minutes, along with winning the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition, where he devoured 37 slices in 10 minutes. In 2011, he yet again clinched the Nathan’s Contest title. Nevertheless, Kobayashi set a new world record by eating 69 hot dogs at an off-site event judged by independent referees. Chestnut opted not to participate in that year’s Nathan’s Contest due to his refusal to sign the contract required.

In 2012, Chestnut managed to establish a new record at the Toojay’s Corned Beef Eating Competition in Palm Beach Gardens by consuming 20 corned beef sandwiches within ten minutes. He also defended his title…

At the Nathan’s Contest, Chestnut once again tied his own personal record by consuming 68 hotdogs. During the same year, he also made an appearance on “Hell’s Kitchen,” where he engaged in a wing-eating competition with some of the show’s contestants. The following year, he surpassed his previous record at the Nathan’s Contest by eating 69 hotdogs. Additionally, he triumphed in both the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship and the Hillshire Farm Bratwurst Eating World Championship.

In 2018, Chestnut took part in “The Amazing Race 30” alongside fellow competitive eater Tim Janus.

Chestnut is preparing to compete at the 2023 Jack’s Donuts World Donut Hole Eating Championship.

Training

According to Chestnut, his training regimen for competitions includes fasting and stretching his stomach using milk, water, and protein supplements. For hot dog competitions, he specifically practices by eating 40 hot dogs in one sitting and gradually increasing that amount daily to achieve competitive results.

Other Accolades and Records

For Joey, competitive eating is a full-time career. He dedicates the year to training through consistent fasting and stomach stretching with protein supplements, milk, and water. His weight fluctuates between 210 and 225 pounds throughout the year.

Joey holds multiple records, including those for hard-boiled eggs (141 in eight minutes), bratwurst (70 in 10 minutes), Matzoh balls (78 in eight minutes), hot dogs (69 in 10 minutes at the 2013 Nathan’s contest), steak (4.5 pounds with sides in under nine minutes), pork ribs (13.76 pounds in 12 minutes), and asparagus (12.8 pounds in 10 minutes). On July 4, 2016, he consumed 70 hot dogs, followed by 72 the next year, and then a world record of 74 the year after that. At the 2019 Nathan’s contest, he clinched his 12th title by eating 71 hot dogs. In 2021, he established a new world record by eating 76 hot dogs. Furthermore, in April 2023, on National Burrito Day, Joey won the inaugural Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, finishing 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.

Personal Life

Just prior to defending his title at the 2014 Nathan’s competition, Chestnut proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa. However, the pair ended their relationship in early 2015, just before their planned wedding date. Chestnut currently resides in Westfield, Indiana.