LISLE, Ill., June 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 100th anniversary. On Sunday, at Pocono Raceway, Kathi Taylor of Shickshinny, Pa., was recognized as one of Nathan’s Famous “Ultimate Fans.”
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b42b740-13da-4ed7-b2fa-3a3e294f953e
Taylor recently shared her affinity for the brand on the Nathan’s Famous website, reminiscing about childhood trips to Seaside Heights, N.J., where she first enjoyed the taste of the 100-year-old, secret-spice recipe of a Nathan’s Famous hot dog. She now tops the all-beef franks with her very own Vidalia onion relish.
Taylor did not know that the simple act of posting her story would lead the legendary hot dog company to show her just how much her loyalty is appreciated. Nathan’s Famous invited Taylor and her family to Pocono Raceway for a behind-the-scenes, race-day experience that included being a celebrity counter for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier event that took place Sunday morning.
The surprises began when representatives from Richard Petty Motorsports greeted Taylor and escorted her and her family to the garage area to meet Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion. The group was then led to the Pocono Raceway Fan Fair for the hot dog eating contest. When Taylor arrived to the Nathan’s Famous display, NASCAR Hall of Famer, Richard Petty, invited her to join him on stage where he surprised Taylor with a $1,000 Giant gift card, Nathan’s Famous apparel and finally, free Nathan’s Famous hot dogs for one year.
“Kathi is a huge racing fan and an even bigger fan of Nathan’s Famous,” said Wayne Norbitz, executive board member and 26-year president of Nathan’s Famous. “Once we learned that she wasn’t going to be able to make it for the race in the Poconos this past weekend, we knew the perfect way to express our thanks for her loyalty throughout the years. We were thrilled to bring her to the race track and now she’ll be able to enjoy plenty of Nathan’s Famous products when she visits our friends at Giant.”
Sunday’s event was part of Nathan’s Famous’ national “Ultimate Fan Nation” campaign. Over the course of the year, Nathan’s Famous is reflecting 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 100th anniversary celebration included a special promotion over Memorial Day Weekend, the upcoming 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. Fans can now have their Ticket to Fun punched as part of an online, summer-rewards program featuring games, prizes and exclusive branded merchandise, by visiting NathansTicketToFun.com.
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®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, 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.