Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joey Chestnut’s Net Worth?
Joey Chestnut, an American competitive eater, has accumulated a net worth of $3 million. This valuation reflects his success in competitive eating, endorsement deals, and other ventures related to his public persona.
Joey Chestnut’s Competitive Eating Career and Earnings
Chestnut’s competitive eating journey began in 2005 at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where he consumed 32 hot dogs, placing third. He rapidly improved, and in 2007, he dethroned the six-year reigning champion, Takeru Kobayashi, by eating 66 hot dogs compared to Kobayashi’s 63. This victory marked the beginning of Chestnut’s dominant run in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, where he has since secured 16 wins as of July 4, 2023. The top prize for winning Nathan’s is $10,000. This provides exposure for these athletes.
His victories extend beyond hot dogs. Chestnut holds numerous records in various food disciplines, showcasing his versatility and capacity. Some of his notable records include:
- 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes
- 141 hard-boiled eggs in 8 minutes
- 53 soft beef tacos in 10 minutes
His most impressive performance occurred in 2021 when he consumed 76 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, establishing a new world record. This feat solidified his reputation as “Jaws” in the competitive eating community.
In 2005, Chestnut also won the GoldenPalace World Grilled Cheese Eating Championship by eating 32.5 grilled cheese sandwiches in ten minutes. He also defeated Sonya Thomas in the Waffle House World Waffle Eating Championship and placed second in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in the same year.
In 2006 at the Nathan’s event, he finished second with 52 hot dogs, setting a new US record, while Kobayashi set a new world record with 53 and 3/4ths completed. In 2007, he won Wing Bowl XV in Philadelphia, eating 182 chicken wings in 30 minutes, and later won the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship, consuming 103 Krystal burgers in under eight minutes.
From 2007 to 2015, Joey won eight straight Nathan’s Contests. In 2008, he set a record at the Wing Bowl, eating 241 wings in 30 minutes, and ate 78 matzo balls during the Kenny & Ziggy’s World Matzoh Ball Eating Championship in Houston. In March 2008, he ate a 4.5-pound ribeye steak, salad, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and roll in under nine minutes at The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. In 2009, Chestnut consumed 10.5 pounds of macaroni and cheese in seven minutes, setting a new world record.
In 2010, Chestnut won the Shrimp Wontons eating competition in Singapore and the Pepto Bismol Bratwurst Eating Championship, eating 42 brats in 12 minutes, and the Upper Crust Pizza Eating competition, eating 37 slices in 10 minutes. In 2012, Chestnut set a new record at the Toojay’s Corned Beef Eating Competition in Palm Beach Gardens by consuming 20 corned beef sandwiches in ten minutes. In 2013, he broke his record at the Nathan’s Contest by eating 69 hotdogs.
On July 4, 2016, Joey ate 70 hot dogs. A year later, he ate 72. A year later, he ate a world-record 74. At the 2019 Nathan’s contest, he secured a 12th title with 71 dogs eaten. In 2021, Chestnut ate 76 hot dogs, setting a new world record. In April 2023, on National Burrito Day, Joey won the first-ever Qdoba World Burrito Eating Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, eating 14.5 burritos in 10 minutes.
A top competitive eater can earn between $250,000 and $500,000 annually through prize money and sponsorships. Although the specific breakdown of Chestnut’s earnings from each competition and sponsorship isn’t publicly detailed, his consistent victories and endorsements contribute significantly to his annual income and overall net worth. Chestnut’s ability to maintain a high level of performance year after year has enabled him to secure lucrative opportunities within the competitive eating world.
Joey Chestnut is set to compete at the 2023 Jack’s Donuts World Donut Hole Eating Championship.
Endorsements and Other Ventures Contributing to Joey Chestnut’s Net Worth
Beyond competitive eating, Chestnut has diversified his income streams through endorsements and a line of condiments sold under his name. These ventures leverage his fame and public image to generate additional revenue.
In June 2024, Chestnut signed a 4-year, $1.2 million endorsement deal with the vegan food company Impossible Foods. This deal, averaging $400,000 annually, impacted his participation in the Nathan’s annual Fourth of July contest. Though not banned, his affiliation with Impossible Foods introduced a conflict of interest, affecting his ability to compete due to the contest’s association with traditional meat products.
Chestnut also signed a deal with Netflix for a live face-off against Takeru Kobayashi, titled “Chestnut Vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” which aired on September 2, 2024. This event added to his visibility and earnings, showcasing his competitive spirit beyond traditional eating contests.
He sells mustard, dipping sauce, coney sauce, hot sauce and more under his own name.
Early Life and Education
Joey Chestnut was born on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky. He attended San Jose State University, where he began participating in eating competitions in 2005. He graduated in 2012, after balancing his studies with his competitive eating career. One of Chestnut’s first major events was an asparagus-eating competition, where he beat high-ranked eater Rich LeFevre by eating nearly six and a half pounds of deep-fried asparagus in just 11.5 minutes.
Training and Personal Life
Chestnut trains for competitions by fasting and stretching his stomach with milk, water, and protein supplements. He trains for hot dog competitions by eating 40 hot dogs at one time and slowly eating more each day to reach competition-winning numbers. Throughout the year, Joey’s weight fluctuates between 210 and 225 pounds.
Just before defending his title in the 2014 Nathan’s competition, Chestnut proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa. However, the couple split up a year later, in early 2015, before their scheduled wedding date. Chestnut currently resides in Westfield, Indiana.
Other Accolades and Records Contributing to Joey Chestnut’s Net Worth
Chestnut holds records for eating 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 plus sides in under nine minutes), pork ribs (13.76 pounds in 12 minutes) and asparagus (12.8 pounds in 10 minutes). These achievements have enhanced his brand and marketability, leading to increased opportunities and a higher net worth.
Chestnut competed on “The Amazing Race 30” in 2018 alongside fellow competitive eater Tim Janus. He also appeared on “Hell’s Kitchen” in which he participated in a wing-eating competition against some of the contestants. He also appeared in “Man v. Food,” consuming a giant five-pound burrito in just over three minutes.
