Joey Chestnut

About

I’m Joey “Jaws” Chestnut—civil-engineer-turned-gastronomic-outlier with a proven record of optimizing throughput where it matters most: the human esophagus. Over the last two decades, I’ve set 55+ ingestion benchmarks, translating mouthfuls into media moments and delivering triple-digit ROI for partners ranging from fast-casual challengers to Fortune 500 staples. Whether it’s scaling hot-dog velocity 4.3× industry average or architecting condiment SKUs that convert pantry-curious consumers at a 31% clip, my mission is simple: turn appetite into advantage.

Experience

• 

  Chief Eating Officer

  Major League Eating (Self-Employed)

  2005 - Present · 21 yrs 1 mo

  Global

  I convert calories into KPIs • Captured 16 Nathan’s titles (2007-2014, 2016-2024), sustaining a 94% win rate across 108 sanctioned events. • Set & defended 55 world records spanning 9 food groups; flagship record: 76 HDB in 600 sec (↑245% vs 2001 benchmark). • Drove $128M+ in estimated earned media for brand partners (CAGR 18%) while lifting July-4 ESPN ratings 42% YoY.

• Founder & CEO

  Joey Chestnut Foods, LLC

  2018 - Present · 8 yrs 1 mo

  San Jose, California

  Crafting condiments that keep pace with champions • Launched proprietary “Boardwalk Coney Sauce,” achieving 7-figure GMV in first 18 months with a 31% repeat-purchase rate. • Negotiated 500+ store rollout with Walmart, expanding retail footprint 420% without external capital. • Piloted DTC subscription (“Sauce-of-the-Month”) hitting 9,000% LTV/CAC in beta cohort.

• Brand Ambassador & Product Consultant

  PepsiCo | Yum! Brands | Impossible Foods (project-based)

  2013 - Dec 2021 · 8 yrs 11 mos

  Remote

  Translating consumption insights into category growth • Orchestrated “Doritos Dynamite Challenge” generating 2.8B hashtag impressions and a 4.6 pp lift in QSR traffic week-over-week. • Co-created plant-forward showcase event that boosted Impossible sausage awareness 38% among millennial males in 10 days.

• 

  Civil Engineering Intern

  Caltrans, District 4

  Jun 2004 - Dec 2004 · 6 mos

  Oakland, California

  Analyzed bridge load paths (and my own snack throughput) • Modeled 12 structural retrofits, saving CA taxpayers an estimated $1.7M in material costs. • Improved team morale 33% by hosting weekly burrito speed-eating demos.

Education

• 

  San Jose State University

  BS, Civil Engineering (unfinished)

Honors & awards

• World Record: 76 Hot Dogs & Buns in 10 Minutes

  Major League Eating

  Issued Jul 2021

  Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest

• Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion (16×)

  Nathan’s Famous & ESPN

  Issued Jul 2024

  2007-2014, 2016-2024