Nathan’s Famous is most widely known because of the annual 4th of July hot dog eating contest they host, but they were actually started in Coney Island in 1916 by Ida and Nathan Handwerker as a nickel hot dog stand.  They undercut their former employer Feltman’s German Gardens by charging only a nickel because Feltman’s charged a dime.  Nathan also used a marketing ploy of having men with surgeon’s smocks eating at his stand because the hot dog was very suspect in this era.  Nathan’s son Murray oversaw the first expansion when the second branch was opened on Long Beach Road in Oceanside, New York in 1959 and another in Yonkers in 1965.  In 1987 the Handwerker family sold the company to a private group of investors and Nathan’s was franchised to many establishments.  They went public in 1993 and Bill Handwerker (the founder’s grandson) left the company 3 years later.  Currently there are 24 company owned Nathan’s locations and 380 franchises consisting of more than 1,400 stores in 41 states.

Nathan’s Famous serves more than just hot dogs, although this is what they are most known for.  The dogs come in various sizes and can be topped with chili, chees, sauerkraut, red onions, salsa, and even crinkle-cut French Fries.  They will also top an order of fries with cheese, bacon, or ranch dressing.  Nathan’s Famous also serves burgers, steak sandwiches, chicken tenders and sandwiches, chicken wings, corn dogs, pretzel dogs, corn on the cob, onion rings, chili by the bowl, and even Manhattan clam chowder.  They also have a variety of salads, snacks, beverages, desserts, and breakfast items.

The Nathan’s Famous Company is looking to expand and there are many areas open for a franchise location.  They do like to see a net worth of $450,000 and liquid capital of at least $150,000 from their franchisees.  They do not directly provide financing, but they can give the franchisee a list of lenders that have worked with other franchisees in the past.  It takes between 4 and 6 months to get a location ready to open and the locations range from 1,800 to 2,400 square feet.  The franchise fee is $30,000 for a standard location or $37,500 if opened with a co-brand location.  Royalties are 5.5% of the gross sales and the franchisee also pays 2% of the gross sales for marketing.