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The Hot Dog Brand Encyclopedia · Entry 6 of 8

Nathan's Famous

Since 1916

Coney Island, since the nickel hot dog

Nathan's started as a nickel hot dog stand at Coney Island in 1916, undercutting the 10-cent dogs down the street. More than a century later, the original stand still draws lines, and its July 4th eating contest is a national event.

The original Nathan's Famous at Coney Island, in its 100th anniversary year.
The original Nathan's Famous at Coney Island, in its 100th anniversary year. Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History

  1. 1916Nathan and Ida Handwerker open a hot dog stand at Coney Island with $300 in savings, selling hot dogs for five cents. Ida created the recipe.1
  2. 1959A second location opens in Oceanside, New York.1
  3. Early 1970sThe July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest at the original Coney Island stand becomes an annual event.1
  4. 1987The Handwerker family sells the business and it begins franchising.1
  5. 2012Hurricane Sandy closes the original stand; it reopens in May 2013.1
  6. 2017Becomes Major League Baseball's first official hot dog sponsor.1
  7. 2026Agrees in January to be acquired by Smithfield Foods.1

More to know

Nathan's charged five cents when its former employer, Feltman's, charged ten. Nathan Handwerker coined the term "kosher style" for his all-beef dogs.

For cart owners

Nathan's is one of the most recognized hot dog names in America, especially in the Northeast.

Sources

  1. Nathan's Famous official site checked 2026-10-23
  2. Wikipedia: Nathan's Famous checked 2026-10-23