Nathan's Famous

Nathan's Famous
Name	Nathan's Famous
Type	Public company
Traded as	NATH
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	0 1916
Founders	Nathan Handwerker
Hq location	Jericho, New York
Key people	Howard M. Lorber (Chairman), Eric Gatoff (CEO)
Products	Hot dogs, french fries, hamburgers, lemonade
Num locations	~300

Nathan's Famous is an iconic American fast food restaurant chain specializing in hot dogs, most famously associated with its original location at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City. Founded by Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker in 1916, the company has grown from a single stand into a publicly traded international brand. It is globally renowned for its signature all-beef frankfurters and for hosting the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, a major event in competitive eating.

History

The company's origins trace back to 1916 when Nathan Handwerker, a Polish Jewish immigrant, used a $300 loan from his friends, Eddie Cantor and Jimmy Durante, to open a hot dog stand at the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island. Handwerker, who had previously worked for another famed Coney Island vendor, Charles Feltman, undercut his former employer's price, selling hot dogs for five cents. To instill confidence in the product's quality, he reportedly hired men in doctor's coats to eat at the stand, creating a perception of cleanliness and safety. The stand's popularity soared, becoming a staple for visitors to the Coney Island amusement district, especially during the heyday of the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone. The business weathered challenges including the Great Depression and the decline of Coney Island, with ownership remaining in the Handwerker family for decades. In 1987, the company was acquired by a private investment group and later became a public company traded on the NASDAQ.

Products

The cornerstone of the menu is its proprietary all-beef frankfurter, seasoned with a secret blend of spices and prepared in a natural casing for a distinctive snap. These hot dogs are traditionally served on a steamed bun and can be topped with a variety of condiments, including its famous mustard, sauerkraut, and onion sauce. Beyond the classic frank, the menu features items such as cheese dogs, corn dogs, and the "Famous Frank" burger, a blend of chopped hot dog meat and ground beef. Sides include crinkle-cut french fries, onion rings, and fried clams, with beverages like fresh-squeezed lemonade and Coca-Cola products. Many of its products, particularly the frankfurters and branded mustard, are also sold in supermarkets across the United States.

Restaurants

While the original Coney Island location remains a landmark and tourist destination, the brand has expanded significantly. Operations include a mix of company-owned and franchised outlets, with a concentration in the New York metropolitan area and a strong presence in other states like Florida and California. Restaurants are typically characterized by a classic, often boardwalk-inspired aesthetic with counter service. Internationally, locations can be found in countries such as the Philippines, Kuwait, and Panama. The brand also operates numerous express units in non-traditional venues like airports, shopping malls, and college campuses, and has a substantial food service division supplying hot dogs to other restaurants, stadiums, and arenas.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Held annually since the early 1970s on Independence Day at the original Coney Island stand, this contest is the premier event in Major League Eating. Organized in conjunction with Major League Eating, it draws massive crowds and television coverage on ESPN. The contest has produced legendary champions like Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, who revolutionized the sport in the early 2000s, and Joey Chestnut, the current dominant figure who has held the title since 2007 and set records exceeding 70 hot dogs in ten minutes. A separate women's division was introduced in 2011, with champions including Miki Sudo. The event has become a major part of American holiday culture and has significantly boosted the global profile of the brand.

In popular culture

The brand holds a storied place in American culture, frequently referenced as a symbol of New York City and classic American fare. It has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including appearances in Annie Hall, where Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) waits in line, and in episodes of Seinfeld. The original Coney Island location is a frequent backdrop in media depicting Brooklyn. The annual hot dog eating contest is itself a pop culture phenomenon, satirized on shows like The Simpsons and covered extensively by news outlets like The New York Times and CNN. Politicians, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have been photographed eating there, reinforcing its status as an institution.

Business operations

Headquartered in Jericho, New York, the company is led by Chairman Howard M. Lorber and CEO Eric Gatoff. Its business model encompasses several revenue streams: retail restaurant operations, franchising, brand licensing, and a robust food service and product licensing division. This division supplies hot dogs to a vast network of clients, including other restaurant chains, sports venues like Yankee Stadium, and theme parks. The company's products are distributed nationally to supermarkets by partners like John Morrell & Co.. As a public company, its financial performance is influenced by commodity costs for beef, expansion of its franchise network, and the marketing value of its signature Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Category:Restaurant chains in the United States Category:Hot dog restaurants Category:Companies based in Nassau County, New York Category:Fast-food chains Category:Public companies