Nathan’s Famous: The First 100 Years of America’s Favorite Frankfurter Company chronicles the history and business strategies of company founder Nathan Handwerker that led to the success of an iconic international brand and two of America’s most loved foods: The Nathan’s Famous Frankfurter and Crinkle-cut French Fries. Brimming with photos of historic Coney Island, New York, Nathan’s Famous restaurants, and intimate family memories of author, former company Senior Vice president and grandson William Handwerker; "Nathan’s Famous" details entrepreneurial spirit, business lessons, dramatic corporate missteps and growth. William includes insights into three generations of the Handwerker family, beginning with the founder’s early life, growing up in extreme poverty in Galicia, Poland, as well as his own sons and grandson who contributed to expanding geographic locations, menu and the overall brand. Nathan’s may have started as a small hot dog stand in 1916, but by sticking to his philosophy to “give ‘em and let ‘em eat,” he was able to beat his competition by providing top quality food at low prices. "Nathan’s Famous" reveals the successes, trials and tribulations of growing Nathan’s original vision into the international frankfurter corporation it is today. Author William Handwerker is the grandson of Nathan Handwerker, founder of America’s favorite frankfurter company and the iconic Coney Island, New York institution. Working alongside his grandfather and father, Murray, for 30 years, William penned "Nathan’s Famous" to commemorate the enormous entrepreneurial spirit of his grandfather’s legacy and the business history of one of America’s most loved foods---the Nathan’s Famous frankfurter. William has been interviewed by The Food Channel, the History Channel, and numerous national and New York media. He resides in Roslyn, New York and Delray Beach, Florida. William Handwerker is the grandson of Nathan Handwerker, founder of America’s favorite frankfurter company and the iconic Coney Island, New York institution. Working alongside his grandfather and father, Murray, for 30 years, William penned Nathan’s Famous 100 Years to commemorate the enormous entrepreneurial spirit of his grandfather’s legacy and the business history of one of America’s most loved foods--the Nathan’s Famous frankfurter. He worked as a teenager at the Coney Island and Oceanside restaurants during summers, weekends, and holidays. After graduating from Ithaca College, William joined his family’s company fulltime in 1976. During his tenure, William spearheaded operational improvements, and promotional and marketing campaigns, including judging the early years of the Nathan’s Famous Hotdog Eating Contests. William, who rose to Senior Vice President of Corporate Foodservice, departed the company in 1996. William has been interviewed by The Food Channel, the History Channel, and numerous national and New York media. Over the course of almost thirty years, I observed the company from many vantage points, as I worked in different restaurant locations and management positions, from opening the Coney Island front counter as a young adult to marketing, purchasing, and finally to corporate food service for the company. My ringside seat provided me with insights into how and why the company experienced spurts of growth while simultaneously surviving shifting winds during inevitable setbacks. Working in the family business presents an entirely unique set of obstacles and challenges. Behind the scenes, I heard earfuls of beneficial strategic discussions and witnessed occasional disagreements among family members and management. But through a common desire to build a legacy, and our love for one another, we found ways to overcome the nonsense and set aside the family drama to move toward the common goal. Having grown up during a time when our family, its business, and Coney Island itself were in constant transformation, I am positioned to present my firsthand observations and perspectives of exactly what transpired. Throughout the forthcoming pages, I reflect on the company’s rickety ride through intermittent tenuous success, its glorious heyday, and all the ups and downs in between, against a backdrop of ever-shifting economic, cultural, regulatory, and political issues thrown our way. My sources include personal memories and conversations I had with my grandparents and parents, who never tired of discussing the early years and different business situations or marketing campaigns, as well as how we might expand the Nathan’s concept. More recently, I conducted interviews with longtime employees, friends, and acquaintances integral to the company’s development. I dug up and sifted through countless documents, correspondences, personal pictures, and media accounts about various family and business milestones to ensure the information herein is accurate. Another crucial resource includes the hours of interviews my cousin David Sternshein conducted w