LISLE, IL
John Morrell Food Group, a division of Smithfield Foods, and Nathan’s Famous are partnering in an exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture and sell branded hot dog, sausage, and corned beef products at national retail stores, according to a press release.
“We are very excited to launch our new partnership with John Morrell Food Group,” said Eric Gatoff, CEO of Nathan’s Famous. “It will allow our very successful retail licensing program to finally achieve a truly national sales, marketing, and distribution footprint.”
Both companies plan for exciting consumer events coming up this summer, including a three race NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver Aric Almirola and new settings for Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifying events.
This year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit includes events at Las Vegas, NV; Boston, MA; St. Paul, MN; Sonoma, CA; St. Louis, MO; Cleveland, OH; Tunica, MS; Bloomingdale, IL; Savannah, GA; Houston, TX; and Charlotte, NC; Citifield in Queens NY; and at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.
Nathan’s will also be able to sample the company’s hot dogs at mobile sampling events, with fun carnival games, an interactive photo booth, a Zoltar fortune telling coupon machine, all inspired by Coney Island, and a first-hand look at the International Hot Dog Eating Contest Championship Belt.
“We have put many hours of planning into our marketing efforts to support our new relationship with Nathan’s Famous,” said John Pauley, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for John Morrell. “We want to bring the excitement of the original, authentic hot dog across the country and really bring that excitement through our NASCAR partnership, the Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifying events and our mobile sampling units. It’s going to be a great summer for Nathan’s.”
Both John Morrell and Nathan’s will feature new social media outlets for the Nathan’s brand including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There, consumers can find more information on products, coupons, and future promotions.
A new website will debut by the end of April, so look forward to it!
Nathan’s Famous
John Morrell Food Group
