In 2021, Americans spent more than $7.5 Billion on hot dogs and sausages in U.S. Supermarkets. And thankfully, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) just announced the American cities that contributed most to those numbers, referencing Nielsen data for total sales and per capita sales from that year.
Los Angeles isn’t just the newest Super Bowl champion, but the city also retained its title as the top dog of total hot dog sales, followed by New York and Dallas. Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Phoenix rounded out the top 10.
However, when looking at sales per capita, Buffalo earned the top spot, making the argument that upstate New York may host the most passionate hot dog fans. Multiple North Carolina cities also proved their frankfurter fandom by cracking the top 10 in per capita hot dog sales, including: Raleigh/Durham, Greensboro and Charlotte.
“Upstate New York and the south each have great hot dog traditions with popular local hot dog brands that drive demand in those communities,” said NHDSC President and Hot Dog Top Dog Eric Mittenthal. “Buffalo is the only city with a baseball stadium named after its hot dog brand, Sahlens, while Carolina Pride dogs are a celebration of their local history dating back more than 100 years.”
Dinner sausages like bratwurst, Italian and andouille show a similar pattern when it comes to their top overall markets. However, this year New York City earned the top spot, leapfrogging over Los Angeles and Dallas in total sausage sales. Though, Louisianans proved to be the biggest sausage fans per capita, with Baton Rouge placing No. 1, and New Orleans coming in second.
“Louisiana’s sausage culture featuring boudin and andouille is a great example of how community bonds are strengthened through delicious culinary traditions,” said Mittenthal. “Sausage is a food that binds generations.”
For more hot dog and sausage data, facts, figures and more, visit www.hot-dog.org.
Hot Dogs
Top 10 Total
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Dallas
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- Houston
- Atlanta
- DC
- Phoenix
Per Capita
- Buffalo
- Raleigh/Durham
- Greensboro
- Paducah, KY
- Charlotte
- Knoxville
- Albany
- Birmingham
- Norfolk
- Omaha
Sausages
Top 10 Total
- New York (up from #3)
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Chicago
- Houston
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- DC
- Phoenix
- Atlanta
Per Capita
- Baton Rouge
- New Orleans
- Dallas
- Mobile
- St Louis
- Little Rock
- Raleigh
- Norfolk
- Buffalo
- Kansas City
About the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council:
Established in 1994 by the American Meat Institute, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council serves as an information resource to consumers and media on questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages. The Council also celebrates hot dogs and sausages as iconic American foods.
With this press bulletin, we are looking for an answer to another question that comes to mind after touching the hot dog market in USA. What are the best hot dog brands in USA? We will determine the top tens with your votes. So let’s start.
1. Hofmann
Hofmann Sausage Company is located in Syracuse, New York, and is one of the oldest hot dog and sausage manufacturers in the United States - dating back to 1879. Hofmann products are available in grocery retail, big box and convenience stores, restaurants, stadiums and entertainment venues, and on college campuses in several states.
2. Nathan’s Famous
Nathan's is a Russell 2000 Company that currently distributes its products in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and 16 foreign countries through its restaurant system, foodservice sales programs and product licensing activities.
Nathan’s Famous premium, 100% beef hot dogs feature the same original recipe cooked up by Nathan himself over 100 years ago.
For additional information about Nathan's, please visit: www.nathansfamous.com.
3. Teton Waters Ranch
Teton Waters Ranch is dedicated to providing 100% grass-fed and finished beef products families can serve at every meal. Colorado-based Teton Waters Ranch has become the fastest growing brand in the category. Teton Waters Ranch is one of the only grass-fed and finished beef brands that is Certified Humane, and is committed to creating a better future from the ground up by being better for the planet, better for the animal and better for you.
4. Kayem
Kayem Foods, founded in 1909, is the largest meat processor in New England. Owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years, the company manufactures Kayem Franks, the #1 brand of franks sold in New England. Best known for its Old Tyme Natural Casing franks, Kayem produces over 100 varieties of hot dogs and 300 varieties of deli meats, sausage and dinner hams under the Kayem, al fresco, Schonland's, McKenzie, Triple M, Genoa, Jordan's, Deutschmacher, Kirschner, and Essem brands. In 2009, Kayem Foods began manufacturing and distributing the iconic Fenway Franks line of hot dogs, the Official Hot Dog of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park. In 2010, Kayem, became the official brand of both Franks and Sausage of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium.
5. Hebrew National
Hebrew National, a brand of ConAgra(R) Foods, Inc., began in 1905 when Isadore Pinckowitz sold frankfurters in New York City under the Hebrew National name. Aside from hot dogs alone, Hebrew National makes additional premium kosher products including deli meats, specialty items like Franks in a Blanket and Cocktail Franks, breakfast sausages, sides and condiments. ConAgra Foods is one of North America's largest packaged-food companies with a strong presence in consumer grocery as well as restaurant and foodservice establishments. For more information, please visit www.hebrewnational.com
6. Oscar Mayer
Oscar Mayer is an American meat and cold cut producer known for its hot dogs, bologna, bacon, ham, and Lunchables products. The company is a subsidiary of the Kraft Heinz Company and based in Chicago, Illinois.
7. BallPark
The Ball Park brand was launched in 1957 in response to a request from the owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. The Ball Park frank was such a success, it was expanded nationally. Today, Ball Park products can be found in supermarkets, convenience stores and a variety of sports venues - including Detroit's Comerica Park. For more information, visit www.ballparkbrand.com.
8. Applegate
Founded in 1987, Applegate Farms, LLC produces high-quality natural and organic hot dogs, bacon, sausages, deli meats, cheese and frozen products. Our products are made without GMO ingredients, and we source from farms where animals are treated with care and respect and are allowed to grow at their natural rate, all part of our mission - Changing The Meat We Eat®. Natural can mean many things, but to Applegate natural means our food is:
- From animals Applegate humanely raised without antibiotics, added hormones or growth promotants
- From animals fed a vegetarian or pasture-centered diet (our beef is 100 percent grass-fed)
- Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates or phosphates
- Free of artificial ingredients or preservatives
Applegate became a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods in July 2015.
9. 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Hot Dogs
365 by Whole Foods Market brand offers more than 3,500 affordably priced and thoughtfully sourced products.One of them is Organic Uncured Beef Hot Dogs.
10. Bar S
For over 40 years, Bar-S has made it possible for American families to not have to sacrifice great taste in order to stay on budget. With unmatched variety and consistent quality, Bar-S is known for its hot dogs, lunch meat, bacon, sausage, and corn dogs.
The only hot dog I can eat without getting sick. Everyone I know or talk to, say this is the only kind they will eat as well. They are just that good!