How To Gobble 70.5 Hot Dogs

On Friday, July 4th, no competitive eating records were set. Having gobbled only 70.5 hot dogs (and buns) in 10 minutes, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut was 5.5 short of the record breaking 76 that he consumed in 2021. Meanwhile, on the women’s side, at 33, world champ Miki Sudo was 18 hot dogs below her 2024 max. This year, one of the rolls did not feel quite right and two years ago a burp slowed her down.

For some smiles and a bit of nausea, do take a look at this year’s men’s and women’s contests.

The Men:

The Women:

Competitive Eating Techniques

Our story starts in Japan where an economics student entered the competitive eating arena. At the time, Takeru Kobayashi (Kobi) won his first contest by out thinking the other eaters. As an economics major, he was already rather analytic. So, he experimented, videoed himself, and timed each idea. One result was the “Solomon Method.” Whereas King Solomon suggested (in the Bible) slicing a baby in half to solve a maternity dispute, Kobi divided each of his hot dogs. Also, he soaked the buns in water because wet smushed buns glide down your throat and the hot water could expand your stomach. Add the “Kobayashi Shake” to all of this and you get an eating world king.

When he entered Nathan’s competition in 2001, the record was 25 1/8 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. Winning with 50, he shocked all of us. Kobi went on to win five years in a row until a contract dispute prevented his participation.

Our Bottom Line: Productivity

As economists, we can say that Kobi was looking at competitive hot dog eating through a productivity lens. Whether it’s eaters or factory workers, we are always trying to get more from our land, labor, and capital. Called total factor productivity (TFP), we just want more output from our three factor inputs. Through new techniques and technology, Kobi increased his total factor productivity.

Then, for Joey Chestnut, the Kobi strategy becomes a springboard. Adding to Kobi’s innovations, he also strengthened his human and physical capital with stomach stretching and esophagus management. After Kobi doubled typical “output” from 25 to 50 hotdogs in 12 minutes, Chestnut elevated the record to a whopping 76.

My sources and more: Freakonomics had the entire Kobi story, CNN  wrote about the 2025 competition, and the NY Times had the science that explains competitive eating. But if you read only one article, do go to this Wired description of how Chestnut trains. It even involves strengthening his neck muscles!

Please note that, as an update. today’s post is very similar to what we have said in the past.