Nathan’s Famous Ultimate Fan Throws Ceremonial First Pitch in St. Louis at Busch Stadium

LISLE, Ill., April 18, 2016 -- Nathan’s Famous is continuing its mission to surprise unsuspecting fans and perform random acts of kindness across the nation throughout 2016 as the brand celebrates its 100^th anniversary. Saturday, however, the world-famous hot dog company provided Tony Gosser of St. Charles, Mo., with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fd6657e-f5bf-4612-b9e6-5161b622757d

Gosser, an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, recently shared his passion for the Redbirds and his affinity for Nathan’s Famous, a brand synonymous with baseball, on the Nathan’s Famous Facebook page. This simple act led the world-famous hot dog company to show Gosser just how much they appreciate his loyalty.

Nathan’s Famous invited Gosser to be its guest at Busch Stadium where he was on-stage to experience a qualifying event for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest and enjoy the Cardinals game against the Cincinnati Reds from the UMB Champions Club.

The surprises then started coming at Gosser like a 99-mile-an-hour fastball.

When Nathan’s Famous told Gosser he was getting called to the pitcher’s mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch for the Cardinals, little did he know, that was just the tip of the iceberg. On top of his major-league pitching debut, Gosser received a $1,000 Schnucks gift card, courtesy of Nathan’s, met 2015 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion Matt Stonie, received four UMB Champions Club tickets to the game and was adorned with Nathan’s Famous apparel and St. Louis Cardinals promotional items. Finally, Nathan’s Famous surprised him with one more special gift, free Nathan’s Famous hot dogs for one year.

“We’re so grateful of our fans like Tony and we want to make sure they know we appreciate their loyalty,” said Wayne Norbitz, executive board member and 26-year president of Nathan’s Famous. “There is nothing more Americana than enjoying a Nathan’s Famous hot dog while watching our nation’s pastime. And whether Tony is at Busch Stadium or watching the Cardinals at home, thanks to our friends at Schnucks he’ll have plenty of Nathan’s Famous to enjoy for the next year!”

Last Thursday afternoon, Nathan’s Famous treated members of the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club to a Coney Island-themed afternoon. Nathan’s Famous brought its traveling mobile-display to the club where members enjoyed boardwalk games such as pop-a-shot and skee-ball, a miniature three-horse carousel, a Zoltar® Fortune Teller coupon machine, a two-story tall slide and, most of all, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. More than 40 lucky members also received tickets to today’s baseball game.

Last week’s events were part of Nathan’s Famous’ national “Ultimate Fan Nation” campaign. Over the course of the next eight months, Nathan’s Famous will reflect on its history while engaging fans with new opportunities to enjoy the flavor they have come to love. Special offers will be available for fans via NathansFamous.com, and the company’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Nathan’s Famous will also feature members of its “Ultimate Fan Nation” on its social media channels.

Highlights of the Nathan’s Famous 100^th anniversary celebration include a special promotion over the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, the annual Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, and a special-event based in New York City in early September. Beginning in May, fans will also have the opportunity to have their Ticket to Fun punched as part of an online, summer-rewards program featuring games, prizes and exclusive branded merchandise. 

Smithfield Foods is the licensee of Nathan’s Famous pre-packaged hot dogs.

To learn more about Nathan’s Famous and its products, please visit www.nathansfamous.com. 

About Nathan's Famous
Nathan's currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Cayman Islands and nine foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities. Nathan's was ranked #55 on the Forbes list of the Best Small Companies in America and was listed as the Best Small Company in New York State in October 2013. Last year, over 500 million Nathan's Famous hot dogs were sold. For additional information about Nathan's please visit our website at www.nathansfamous.com.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Contact:
Chris Madigan
Breaking Limits for Nathan’s Famous
Cell: 203-918-1652
Email: [email protected]