OUR HISTORY

In 1916, Nathan Handwerker started his nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island, with a $300 loan and his wife’s secret recipe. At the time, he had no idea how famous those hot dogs would be. He had no idea that millions around the globe would tune in to see how many of those hot dogs could be consumed in 10 minutes, or that they would be available to consumers around the world in retail and restaurants.

Fast forward to 2020, 104 years later, and the start of a new decade and Nathan’s Famous is embarking on a new path. One that pays homage to its New York roots, and famous food, but changes everything you know about the brand.

OUR MISSION

Globally, Nathan’s Famous serves guests the flavor of New York with our “memorable,” “craveable” and “Instagrammable” food, with a focus on health, hygiene, and safety.

We provide a best-in-class experience for our guests and employees, while delivering strong financial performance for our shareholders and franchisees.

NATHAN’S FAMOUS

Through the years

1916

Nathan Handwerker opens the original Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand

1916

To settle an argument over who was the most patriotic, legend has it that four immigrants held a hot dog eating contest at the Nathan’s Famous Coney Island stand.

1939

President Roosevelt brought a taste of the Original across the pond by serving Nathan’s hot dogs to the King and Queen of England.

President Roosevelt with the King of England

1946

Nathan’s Famous introduces seafood products and its famous clam bar.

1955

Nathan’s Famous opens up its second location in Oceanside, Long Island, New York.

1965

Three’s a crowd! Nathan’s Famous opens its third restaurant in Yonkers, New York.

1971

To meet growing demand for Nathan’s mouthwatering hog dogs, the brand opened its fourth restaurant in Times Square, New York.

1972

Nathan’s Famous holds the first-ever major and recorded hot dog eating contest on the Fourth of July in Coney Island. Jason Schechter (USA) wins it all by eating 14 hot dogs and buns.

1983

Nathan’s Famous hot dogs make their supermarket debut.

1987

The Handwerker family sells off the Nathan’s Famous business to private investors, who then expanded franchise operations around New York.

2014

Nathan’s Famous began a sponsorship of Richard Petty Motorsports. The first race was at the historic Pocono Raceway.

2016

Nathan’s Famous celebrates 100 years of the World Famous Frankfurter. Here’s to the next century!

2016

Nathan’s Famous sets a Guinness World Record for the longest line of hot dogs.

2017

Marrying two of America’s greatest pastimes, Nathan’s Famous knocks it right out of the park by becoming the first-ever Official Hot Dog of Major League Baseball.