This Famous Coney Island Hot Dog Brand Was Just Bought by Smithfield Foods-Here's What We Know So Far

"When it comes to hot dog brands, most people would agree that there's no more iconic or recognizable than Nathan's Famous. The beloved Coney Island staple, first introduced to the world by Nathan Handwerker in 1916, has garnered quite the fan base for its incredibly flavorful dogs known for their signature juicy snap. It's an enduring symbol of Americana that conjures nostalgic memories of barbecues, hot-dog-eating contests, and Ferris wheel rides as the sun sets on the best day you've ever had."

"But despite its wholly American roots, Nathan's has ballooned from a humble hot dog shack into a global powerhouse, with those iconic franks appearing in a whopping 16 countries outside the United States, including Canada, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. To keep up with demand, the company has brought in outside investors over the years, with the original owners selling the business in 1987."

"The all-cash deal announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21, grants Smithfield full control of the Nathan's brand in perpetuity and solidifies its ownership of all the top packaged meat brands in their portfolio. While the acquisition is a huge deal for Smithfield Foods, some people have expressed concerns about whether quality will change and whether the famous Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest will continue under new ownership."

Nathan's Famous began as a Coney Island hot dog stand founded by Nathan Handwerker in 1916 and became known for its flavorful franks and signature juicy snap associated with Americana, barbecues, and eating contests. The brand expanded internationally to 16 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Indonesia and Malaysia. To scale, the company took on outside investors and the original owners sold the business in 1987. In 2014 Smithfield Foods secured an exclusive U.S., Canada and Sam's Clubs Mexico licensing deal to produce and distribute Nathan's hot dogs. On Jan. 21 Smithfield completed an all-cash purchase of Nathan's for $450 million, assuming perpetual ownership and raising consumer quality and event continuity concerns.

Read at Miami Herald