Nathan’s Famous swallowed up by pork processor Smithfield in $450M

Nathan’s Famous swallowed up by pork processor Smithfield in $450M

Pork processor Smithfield Foods will purchase century-old Nathan’s Famous in a $450 million deal that provides the most iconic US scorching canine title to its portfolio of manufacturers, the company said Wednesday.

Smithfield can pay $102 per share, a virtually 10% premium to Nathan’s shut on Tuesday. Nathan’s shares have been up about 9% at $100.78.

Smithfield already holds an exclusive license to fabricate and promote Nathan’s Famous merchandise in the US and Canada and at Sam’s Club shops in Mexico.

Nathan’s Famous is understood for its annual scorching dog-eating competitors held at Nathan’s Coney Island on July 4. Joey Chestnut, left, was topped males’s champion last 12 months. Paul Martinka

Shares of Smithfield, a majority-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed WH Group rose about 1%. The inventory gained roughly 6% in 2025 after its market debut.

Nathan’s Famous started as a scorching canine stand in 1916, based by immigrant Nathan Handwerker with $300 borrowed from entertainers Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor, and initially bought scorching canines for five cents. The model later expanded nationwide under the management of Handwerker’s son, Murray.

The model is understood for its annual scorching dog-eating competitors held at Nathan’s Coney Island on July 4 every 12 months, the place winners are awarded a “mustard belt” for consuming the most scorching canines. Last 12 months, Joey Chestnut was declared the males’s champion after he devoured 70.5 scorching canines and buns in 10 minutes, according to the company’s web site.

“The Nathan’s Famous acquisition is a meaningful step in the progression of Smithfield Foods, allowing us to own all of the top brands in our Packaged Meats portfolio,” Smithfield CEO Shane Smith said.

Smithfield already holds an exclusive license to fabricate and promote Nathan’s Famous merchandise in the US and Canada and at Sam’s Club shops in Mexico. REUTERS

Nathan’s Famous started as a scorching canine stand in 1916. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

The deal is predicted to shut in the first half of this 12 months, Smithfield said.

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