Joey Chestnut has become a millionaire only by competing in hot dog-eating competitions over the years.

While most of the other competitors see the contest as their part-time earning, since they cannot earn enough from it to sustain a livelihood, Chestnut made the decision to leave his job with a construction management company in Northern California and become a full-time competitive eater in 2010.

“My mom was worried,” he told USA Today Sports. “I mean, it’s nice to have a job. You’ve got health care and retirement, all that stuff. So I had to convince my mom that I still had a plan for all that stuff.”

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Is Joey Chestnut competing this year?

Yes, Chestnut is competing at the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July this year and is expected to come out as a winner. If he manages to win this year too, it will be his 16th win overall.

Joey Chestnut Net worth

Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports last year that he earned more than $500,000 and his net worth exceeds $4 million.

“You have to see yourself as a business when you’re working for yourself,” said The 39-year-old said. “But I never knew how far it would go.” Chestnut has formed Joey Chestnut LLC and is represented by Everest Talent Management. Most of his income comes from contest earnings, paid appearances, and endorsement deals.

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The turning point in his career came when Pepto-Bismol reached out to Chestnut to promote and participate in four competitive eating contests and he would be paid $10,000 for each event. He presently has lucrative deals with DUDE Wipes, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Wonderful Pistachios, and Pepsi.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest record

Chestnut has eaten up to 76 hot dogs and buns during Nathan’s 10-minute contest. No other competitor has eaten more than 64½.

He also devoured a half-dozen Coney Island hot dogs in 60 seconds during a Detroit Pistons game, which was a paid appearance.

Joey Chestnut memes

As the 4th of July draws close, social media is blowing up with Joey Chestnut memes. Here are some of them: