Joey Chestnut Asks Impossible Foods For A Favor Amid Nathan’s Shade

16-time champion Joey Chestnut isn’t letting Nathan’s ban impact his passion for the Fourth of July staple. A few days ago, he announced he would participate in the El Paso-based Fourth of July event during the annual “Pop Goes the Fort Independence Day” celebration.

Now, Joey Chestnut is seemingly throwing shade at Nathan’s by calling on the plant-based company that seemingly led to his ban.

“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Major League Eating said in a statement earlier this year. “MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.”

The statement came after Chestnut made a deal with Impossible Foods, a vegan company that recently launched a plant-based vegan dog. “For nearly two decades, we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions,” the MLE added. “However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.”

After announcing his participation in the “Pop Goes the Fort Independence Day” event, Joey Chestnut called on the vegan company, which was apparently the reason behind his ban from Nathan’s.

“Hey @ImpossibleFoods, I’m heading to Fort Bliss in El Paso on the 4th to do what I do best, military style. While I’m crushing hot dogs, do y’all wanna come with and help feed the hungry crowd? You in?” he wrote in an X post on Saturday.

Impossible Foods quickly responded, “It’d be our honor. See you Thursday.”

This latest exchange comes days after Chestnut broke his silence on his ban from Nathan’s. “I was very disappointed to learn from the media today that after nearly 20 years, I am banned from the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” he wrote in the caption of an Instagram post at the time. “I love competing in that event.”

Shortly after Nathan’s announced his ban, Impossible Foods shared a statement in support of Joey Chestnut.

“We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses,” an Impossible Foods spokesperson told People Magazine. “It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”

Impossible makes its meat-imitation products with a combination of plant-based ingredients, including soy and potato protein, coconut and sunflower oil, and yeast extract.

Joey Chestnut also dropped a bombshell, claiming, “We have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions for nearly two decades. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”

“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with,” he added. “This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th contest.”

“Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon. Stay tuned and STAY HUNGRY!”

“@joeyjaws, Soldiers at Fort Bliss heard you might be looking for a place to eat on July 4th,” the official Fort Bliss account said. “We would love to invite you to our Pop Goes the Fort July 4th Celebration to celebrate with our troops and see if you can take on some of our Soldiers in a hot dog eating contest!”

To no surprise, Chestnut replied, “ABSOLUTELY!! Thank you @FortBlissTexas for the invitation!! I’m honored to celebrate America’s birthday with U.S. ARMY soldiers and their families. Bring me your best 4 eaters and I’ll take them down, combined!”

Fort Bliss secured the deal by simply replying, “It’s a date!! We can’t wait, see you soon!”