SMITHFIELD, Virginia — Nathan’s Famous, the iconic hot dog brand that started with a stand on Coney Island in New York, has been purchased by Smithfield Foods for $450 million.
And to answer that one important question: Yes, the annual July 4 hot-dog eating contest will continue.
Smithfield already held rights to produce and sell Nathan’s products in the U.S. and Canada, and at Sam’s Clubs in Mexico since 2014, according to a news release…