Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries and All Pro Eating will host 11 of the world’s fastest eaters at the World Hamburger Eating Championship at the Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 20 at noon. In what is the only officially sanctioned hamburger-eating event in 2017 by All Pro Eating, more than 600 ounces of ground beef will be inhaled in what should be world-record time. In addition to indigestion and the title of World Hamburger Eating title, the winner walks away with $2,500. The total prize pool is $4,500.

At the event, Hwy 55, the Mount Olive-based, highly decorated burger joint and also the Official Restaurant of National Hamburger Day (Sunday, May 28, 2017), will put its world-famous 55 Challenge on center stage. In the 55 Challenge, the competitive eaters will see who can devour 55 ounces of seven stacked Hwy 55 burgers, fries and a drink in the fastest time. As part of the mall’s inaugural Community Heroes Day, Hwy 55 will also host an amateur contest in honor of first responders and military personnel, several of whom will take the same 55 Challenge.

“We are excited to host the best group of eaters you’ll ever see in one place who will put our 55 Challenge to the test,” says Hwy 55 president and founder Kenney Moore. “The 55 Challenge has been a crowd favorite for years and is featured on our menu every day. To see it on display when a world-record is expected is very exciting and gratifying for our growing brand.”

At any of Hwy 55’s 136 locations, guests can take the 55 Challenge themselves. If they can consume seven patties and at least four trimmings on a bun with fries and a 24-ounce drink in 30 minutes, its free and Hwy 55 will put the guest’s name on its web site for bragging rights. If the guest is unable to finish the meal in 30 minutes, it costs $29.99.

Not only will all of the top independent eaters in the world complete the challenge, they won’t need 30 minutes to do it. Molly Schuyler, the reigning champion and the 55 Challenge all-time record holder, who set the record last year in under two minutes (1:53), is back for the championship. In addition to the 55 Challenge, Schuyler, who is the #1 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World, expects to face the toughest challenge ever for her title in the main event, from the following:

“Notorious B.O.B.” Bob Shoudt—Royersford, PA—#2 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World

David “Tiger Wings and Things” Brunelli—Philadelphia, PA—#3 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World

Wayne “Wayney Wonder” Algenio—Hollis, NY—#5 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World

•”Gentleman” Joe Menchetti—Cheshire, CT—#6 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World

Adam “Beard Meets Food” Moran—West Yorkshire, United Kingdom—#7 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World and U.K.’s #1 Ranked Competitive Eater

Will “The Champ” Millender—Brooklyn, NY—#11 Ranked Independent Competitive Eater in the World

“The Human Vacuum” Mark Lyle—Chapin, SC —Competitive Eating All Star—Retired and coming out of retirement for this event

Dan “Killer” Kennedy—West Decatur, PA—Competitive Eating Food Challenger and YouTube personality

Nathan Figueroa—Florida—National Competitive Eating Food Challenger and YouTube personality

Darron Breeden—Charlottesville, Virginia—National Competitive Eating Food Challenger, YouTube personality and Competitive Eating Social Media personality

“This is the first time the World Hamburger Eating Championship will be officially sanctioned and I am certain that it will go down in history as one of, if not THE, most influential eating championships this year for our sport,” says Todd Greenwald, chairman of All Pro Eating Promotions. “Knowing the aptitude an appetite of the participants, I would not be surprised if we saw a new World Eating Record established.”  

The World Hamburger Eating Championship is Hwy 55’s first national foray into full-on competitive eating although the brand is well-known by the burger-loving public as well as the restaurant and franchising industries.

The World Hamburger Eating Championship is open to the public and is free-of-charge. It will happen at the Promo Court on the lower level of the mall, across from Sears.