Hooters Worldwide Wing Challenge raises the bar as National Chicken Wing Day approaches
In preparation for National Chicken Wing Day on July 29, Hooters, will unite the world’s top ranked professional eaters in Clearwater Beach, Florida, for the fourth annual Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship on Saturday, July 25. More than a dozen professional eaters will take the stage to see who can eat more of Hooters world-famous wings in a 10-minute speed round for the coveted title and top cash prizes. The 2015 champion will also challenge wing lovers across America to visit Hooters on National Chicken Wing Day to be a part of history by surpassing last year’s record of more than 1.7 million wings served. Everyone that accepts the Hooters Worldwide Wing Challenge will not only enjoy the one-of-a-kind wings and craveable sauces that made Hooters America’s favorite, they also have the chance to win free wings for a year through an extensive #NationalChickenWingDay social media promotion.
The highly anticipated showdown marks the official rematch for Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie and Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. The number one and two world-ranked eaters will go wing-to-wing after Stonie upset Chestnut’s eight-year winning streak at this year’s July 4th hot dog eating championship. As the reigning Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion for three years running, Chestnut issued a warning to archrival Stonie, saying, “You better come hungry, ‘cause this is my game.”
“With thousands of world-famous Hooters wings, world-ranked titles and competitive eater egos all on the line, this year’s Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship matchup is anyone’s game,” said Andrew Pudduck, vice president of marketing, Hooters. “Soon after a champion is named, we’re inviting professional and amateur eaters across the nation to devour all the wings you can eat at Hooters on National Chicken Wing Day. Let’s take down two million wings together!”
Chicken wing eating is among the most demanding disciplines in the world, requiring jaw strength, hand speed and stomach capacity. Hooters commissioned Major League Eating to officially sanction the Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship circuit and crown the ruler of the roost. During the championship, eaters will compete for $17,500 in cash prizes, one of the largest prizes on the Major League Eating calendar.
This free event is open to the public with the party starting at 1 p.m., eating contest at 2 p.m., at the Pier 60 Pavilion on Clearwater Beach—just across the street from the Hooters of Clearwater Beach. Professional eaters competing in the Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship, listed according to world-rank, include:
- Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie, San Jose, California, #1
- Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, California, #2
- Miki Sudo, Las Vegas, Nevada, #4
- Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Alexandria, Virginia, #5
- Erik “The Red” Denmark, Seattle, Washington, #6
- Adrian “The Rabbit” Morgan, New Orleans, Louisiana, #7
- Michelle “Cardboard Shell” Lesco, Tucson, Arizona, #8
- “The Lovely” Juliet Lee, Germantown, Maryland, #9
- Juan “More Bite” Rodriguez, Chicago, Illinois, #10
- Steve Hendry, Dixon, California, #14
- Yasir Salem, New York, New York, #15
- Richard “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, Nevada, #16
- Gideon Oji, Atlanta, Georgia, #24
Following the championship, pros and average Joes across America will put their training to the test by taking on the Hooters Worldwide Wing Challenge on National Chicken Wing Day. Last year’s Hooters Wing Eating Champion Joey Chestnut offers training tips and motivational videos at http://ncwd.hooters.com to help everyone prep for the big event at their local Hooters. Awesome wing specials are available at participating Hooters locations across the nation on July 29, where the finest wing-eating techniques will be key to collectively consume more than 2 million Hooters wings on this saucy holiday. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their personal wing eating records on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #NationalChickenWingDay for a chance to win free wings for a year from Hooters! The official global wing tally for National Chicken Wing Day will be updated every hour on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat at “hootersLIVE”.
For details about Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship, Hooters Worldwide Wing Challenge on National Chicken Wing Day and the free wings for a year giveaway, visit http://ncwd.hooters.com. To find your nearest Hooters location, visit www.hooters.com.
Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sports, conducts more than 80 events annually, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. and the CP Foods Biggest Eater Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. The competitive eating community is made up of more than 8,000 veteran and rookie gurgitators who travel the world in search of top titles and the glory that they provide. For more information, visit www.IFOCE.com, www.facebook.com/eatfast or twitter @eatingcontest.
Hooters of America, LLC, is the franchisor and operator of more than 400 Hooters restaurants in 42 states and 26 countries. Known for its world famous Hooters Style chicken wings, the first Hooters opened its doors in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Expectations were so modest at the time that the simple fact the doors opened was deemed worthy of a toast. Since then millions have been liberated from the ordinary at Hooters while enjoying great food, fun and one-of-a-kind hospitality that can only be served up by the Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow at www.Twitter.com/Hooters, www.Facebook.com/Hooters, www.Instagram.com/Hooters or on Snapchat at “hootersLIVE”.
