This Fourth of July, it’s not just the fireworks lighting up the sky — it’s the grills, the crowds, and the iron-willed appetites of America’s hungriest contractors.
BGES Group, the Tri-State’s top construction insurance specialists, is proud to sponsor the 2025 National Contractor Hot Dog Eating Contest, where builders, framers, and roofers from California to New Mexico — and everywhere in between — gather in Yonkers, NY to settle a meaty score.
These aren’t your average eating contest amateurs. These are jobsite legends, known for demolishing not only walls but also platefuls of franks at every cookout from Sacramento to Santa Fe.
We’ve gathered ten top eaters from across the country for a no-holds-barred, belly-busting brawl, and we’ve got the inside scoop on their eating records and their odds of taking home this year’s Golden Toolbelt Trophy.
Get to know the competitors below, check out their stats, and drop your pick in the comment box for who you think will be crowned Hot Dog King 2025!
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Meet the Competitors
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1️⃣ Big Louie “Load-Bearer” Mancini — Mancini Masonry, Queens, NY
Past Record: 44 hot dogs in 12 minutes (2024)
Known For: Finishing a 6-foot hero solo while waiting for a concrete delivery.
Odds to Win: 3-1
The hometown hero and reigning champ, Big Louie’s been carb-loading for weeks and promises a new record this year.
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2️⃣ Carlos “Concrete Crusher” Ruiz — Ruiz Construction, Albuquerque, NM
Past Record: 41 hot dogs in 10 minutes (2023)
Known For: Eating 20 dogs during a rain delay at a highway job.
Odds to Win: 4-1
Carlos is making the trip from New Mexico with one thing on his mind: dethroning Big Louie. Rumor has it he’s been training on chili dogs at 7,000 feet elevation.
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3️⃣ Bobby “Nails” Navarro — Navarro Framing Co., Stamford, CT
Past Record: 39 hot dogs in 10 minutes (2023)
Known For: Downing six dogs before a framing job.
Odds to Win: 5-1
A Northeast favorite, Bobby’s quick bite and no-quit attitude make him one to watch.
4️⃣ Sal “Slab Boss” Moreno — Moreno Excavating, Los Angeles, CA
Past Record: 38 hot dogs in 11 minutes (2024)
Known For: Claiming no one out West eats cleaner or faster.
Odds to Win: 6-1
Making the long haul from LA, Sal’s hoping West Coast skills hold up in East Coast heat.
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5️⃣ Eddie “Two-Trowel” Figueroa — Figueroa Stucco & Plaster, Bronx, NY
Past Record: 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes (2024)
Known For: Being the MVP of every jobsite barbecue.
Odds to Win: 7-1
The Bronx contender with a loyal following and stomach of steel.
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6️⃣ Chuck “Concrete Cowboy” Hughes — Hughes Concrete, San Diego, CA
Past Record: 36 hot dogs in 9 minutes (2022)
Known For: Eating contests at tailgates and framing sites.
Odds to Win: 8-1
Smooth operator from SoCal who claims “the bun’s just filler.”
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7️⃣ Mikey “The Mutt” Russo — Russo Roofing & Sheet Metal, Yonkers, NY
Past Record: 35 hot dogs in 8 minutes (2022)
Known For: Betting paychecks on eating challenges.
Odds to Win: 9-1
A wildcard in every sense. If Mikey’s in the mood, nobody’s safe.
8️⃣ Richie “Sawzall” Donato — Donato Demolition, Newark, NJ
Past Record: 34 hot dogs in 11 minutes (2023)
Known For: Pre-contest milkshake chugging.
Odds to Win: 10-1
Demolition expert with an appetite for destruction (and franks).
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9️⃣ Vinny “Deck Boss” DelVecchio — DelVecchio Decking, Long Island, NY
Past Record: 33 hot dogs in 10 minutes (2024)
Known For: Toting his own mustard and secret seasoning.
Odds to Win: 12-1
Long shot with a cult following. Known for strong, last-minute pushes.
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🔟 Frankie “The Forklift” Costa — Costa Excavating, Santa Fe, NM
Past Record: 30 hot dogs in 9 minutes (2023)
Known For: Two-lunch Fridays and double-bun dogs.
Odds to Win: 15-1
Big frame, big heart — could surprise if he finds his groove.
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Who’s Your Pick?
Now it’s your turn to weigh in.
Drop your pick in the comment box below and let us know who you think will devour their way to the Golden Toolbelt this year.
Will Big Louie defend his title? Will Carlos “Concrete Crusher” crush the East Coast favorites? Or could a dark horse like Mikey “The Mutt” steal the show?
Cast your vote and guess how many hot dogs the winner will down!
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About BGES Group — Insurance Built for Builders
While these contractors are stuffing their faces, there’s one thing they don’t have to worry about — their insurance. That’s because BGES Group has it covered.
We’re not just brokers, we’re construction insurance specialists dedicated to protecting contractors in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. From workers’ comp to general liability, from New York Labor Law 240/241 coverage to excess liability, builders risk, and equipment insurance — we craft policies built for your trade, your crews, and your jobsite realities.
Our job is to handle risk so you can focus on the real work — pouring concrete, raising frames, and sometimes, setting hot dog-eating records.
Whether you’re a drywall guy in the Bronx or an excavator in Bridgeport, BGES Group has your back.
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Contact BGES Group Today
📞 Gary Wallach – BGES Group
📱 914-806-5853 – Gary Wallach
Get coverage that works as hard as you do.
Happy Fourth of July — and may the hungriest contractor win! Now hit those comments and tell us who you’re putting your money on!