Joey Chestnut Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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

With a net worth estimated at $3 million, Joey Chestnut stands out as an iconic figure in American competitive eating. He gained nationwide attention in 2007 by clinching his first victory at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Most recently, on July 4, 2023, he achieved his 16th triumph in this widely recognized competition, often holding the title of the world’s top eater as ranked by the Major League of Eating at various points throughout his career.

Joey’s ascent to fame in competitive eating dates back to 2005, during his inaugural participation in Nathan’s contest, where he consumed 32 hot dogs. His rapid rise was marked by his victory over Takeru Kobayashi, the reigning champion, in 2007, solidifying Chestnut’s dominance in competitive eating ever since.

Beyond his victories at Nathan’s, he has broken numerous records across different food categories, such as devouring 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, 141 hard-boiled eggs within 8 minutes, and 53 soft beef tacos in a mere 10 minutes. Chestnut’s most notable achievement occurred in 2021 when he set a world record by consuming 76 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes. His exceptional talent for rapidly eating large quantities of food has earned him the nickname “Jaws,” establishing him as a household name among competitive eaters.

Annual Earnings

A prize of $10,000 is awarded to the Nathan’s contest winner. While this sum may not seem substantial, it provides significant exposure for competitive eaters throughout the year. Top competitors in the field can reasonably earn between $250,000 and $500,000 annually through a combination of prize winnings and sponsorship deals. Takeru Kobayashi, Joey’s long-standing competitor, has not participated in Nathan’s contest recently due to a contract dispute with Major League Eating.

Additionally, Joey has launched a line of condiments that feature his name, including mustard, dipping sauce, coney sauce, and hot sauce.

Impossible Foods Endorsement

In June 2024, news broke that Joey had entered into a four-year endorsement contract worth $1.2 million with the vegan food company Impossible Foods. This arrangement, averaging $400,000 per year, somewhat restricts Joey’s participation in the Nathan’s Fourth of July contest; however, he was not officially BANNED from this event, despite reports suggesting otherwise at the time.

Netflix Kobayashi Showdown

The day following the announcement of his Impossible Foods deal, it came to light that Joey had also secured a contract with Netflix for a live showdown against Kobayashi. Titled “Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” this live event is set to air on September 2, 2024.

Early Life

Born on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky, Joey Chestnut’s journey started early. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at San Jose State University, where he first engaged in eating contests in 2005. His graduation was delayed until 2012, partly due to his frequent travels for competitive eating events.

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One of Joey’s first significant events was an asparagus-eating competition, where he took first place after devouring nearly six and a half pounds of deep-fried asparagus in just 11.5 minutes, surpassing high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre.

Turning Professional

In 2005, he participated in his initial Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which marked the beginning of many such events. He secured third place by consuming 32 hot dogs, trailing Sonya Thomas, who finished second with 37, while Takeru Kobayashi emerged as the winner with 49. That same year, he also established a new world record for eating 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches within ten minutes, earning victory at the GoldenPalace World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship.

Chestnut’s rise in the eating world persisted as he triumphed over Sonya Thomas at the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship and ranked second in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, both achievements occurring in 2005.

At the Nathan’s event in 2006, Kobayashi claimed the world record with 53 and 3/4ths completed, while Joey finished second, setting an impressive US record with 52.

The following year, Chestnut clinched the Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia by consuming 182 chicken wings within 30 minutes. He also achieved his long-awaited victory at the annual Nathan’s Contest, besting the six-year reigning champion Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs to Kobayashi’s 63. To conclude 2007, Joey won the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship after consuming 103 Krystal burgers in under eight minutes.

Joey continued his impressive streak by winning eight consecutive Nathan’s Contests from 2007 to 2015.

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

Although Matt Stonie won the contest in 2015, Joey reclaimed his title in 2016, eating 70 hot dogs and setting a new record. He then went on to win again between 2016 and 2020.

Chestnut’s record for a single competition stands at 76 hot dogs.

In 2008, Chestnut set two more world records. In February, at the Wing Bowl, he consumed 241 wings in 30 minutes. Additionally, during the Kenny & Ziggy’s World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship in Houston, he ate 78 matzo balls. In March of that year, he achieved a new male record at The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, by finishing a 4.5-pound ribeye steak, salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and roll in under nine minutes. Chestnut also claimed victory at the Nathan’s Contest after an eat-off against Kobayashi. A few weeks later, however, he lost a chicken satay eating contest to Kobayashi, with Chestnut managing to eat almost nine pounds of chicken compared to Kobayashi’s twelve pounds.

The subsequent year, 2009, saw Chestnut establish yet another world record by consuming 10.5 pounds of macaroni and cheese in seven minutes. He once again emerged victorious at the Nathan’s Contest, surpassing his previous record by eating 68 hot dogs, which was nine more than the prior year. Nevertheless, he was defeated by Kobayashi in the Krystal Hamburger Championship. Additionally, he featured on “Man v. Food,” where he demolished a giant five-pound burrito in just over three minutes.

In 2010, Chestnut claimed victory at the Shrimp Wontons eating competition in Singapore and won the Nathan’s Contest for the fourth consecutive year, although he did not break his previous record. He also triumphed at the Pepto Bismol Bratwurst Eating Championship, consuming 42 brats in 12 minutes, and at the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition, eating 37 slices in 10 minutes. In 2011, he once again secured the Nathan’s Contest title; however, Kobayashi set a new world record by consuming 69 hot dogs at an off-site event with independent judges, as Joey opted not to participate in that year’s Nathan’s Contest due to a contract dispute.

In 2012, Chestnut achieved a new record at the Toojay’s Corned Beef Eating Competition in Palm Beach Gardens, where he consumed 20 corned beef sandwiches in ten minutes. He also defended his title successfully.

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At the Nathan’s Contest, Chestnut again tied his own personal best of 68 hot dogs consumed. The same year, he was featured on “Hell’s Kitchen,” where he took part in a wing-eating competition against several contestants. The following year, he surpassed his previous record at the Nathan’s Contest by devouring 69 hot dogs. Additionally, he triumphed in the Hooters World Wing-Eating Championship and the Hillshire Farm Bratwurst Eating World Championship.

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

He is scheduled to participate in the 2023 Jack’s Donuts World Donut Hole Eating Championship.

Training

Chestnut has mentioned that his training regimen involves fasting and elongating his stomach’s capacity by consuming milk, water, and protein supplements. To specifically prepare for hot dog contests, he practices by eating 40 hot dogs in one sitting, gradually increasing his intake each day to achieve competitive levels.

Other Accolades and Records

For Joey, competitive eating is a full-time endeavor. He undergoes training throughout the year by routinely fasting and expanding his stomach capacity with protein supplements, water, and milk. Over the years, his weight has varied between 210 and 225 pounds.

Joey holds several records including: 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes, 70 bratwursts in 10 minutes, 78 matzoh balls in eight minutes, 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes at the 2013 Nathan’s contest, 4.5 pounds of steak plus sides in under nine minutes, 13.76 pounds of pork ribs in 12 minutes, and 12.8 pounds of asparagus in 10 minutes. On July 4, 2016, Joey consumed 70 hot dogs; a year later he ate 72, and the subsequent year he set a world record with 74. At the 2019 Nathan’s contest, he clinched his 12th title with a total of 71 hot dogs. In 2021, he established a new world record by eating 76 hot dogs. Moreover, in April 2023, on National Burrito Day, Joey won the inaugural Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by eating 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.

Personal Life

Shortly before defending his title at the 2014 Nathan’s competition, Chestnut proposed to his longtime partner, Neslie Ricasa. Unfortunately, the couple parted ways a year later, in early 2015, prior to their planned wedding. Currently, Chestnut resides in Westfield, Indiana.