Hot dogs are link sausages created from a variety of different meat sources. Most being primarily composed of beef or pork, turkey or tofu are also commonly used as pre-packaged dogs.

The concept of eating a sausage within a bun originated in Frankfurt, Germany, hence the frequent nickname "Frankfurter." The average modern hot dog is between six and ten inches long, though "footlongs" are more popular in ballparks and barbecue.

Sausages sold in rolls and buns became popularized in the mid-to-late 19th century and likely took on its modern form in the World's Fair circuit.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs started in 1916 when Nathan Handwerker began selling hot dogs at five cents apiece to compete with carnival vendor Charles Feltman, who charged ten cents.

Nathan's Hot Dogs holds an annual hot dog eating contest on July 4th at the corporation's headquarters in Coney Island, New York. Takeru Kobayashi won the competition for six consecutive years (2001-2006). He was unseated in 2007 by Joey Chestnut, who ate a world-record 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes.