Joey Chestnut, Other Competitive Eaters Prohibited from Dunking at Krystal Square Off VI

This year, when the biggest mouths in the country come to Chattanooga, they'll find an even bigger burger waiting to be munched down. Krystal announced some major changes today to Krystal Square Off VI, one of two "major" events on the competitive eating circuit.

As first eluded to before the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4^th, Krystal petitioned Major League Eating, the sanctioning body for this sport, to change a few rules. Most notable, eaters will no longer be allowed to dunk the tiny burgers in liquid.

Over the years, many eaters have devised elaborate strategies based on the ability to dunk the Krystal burger and let the bun disintegrate in the process. This has given them extra credit for consumption, as the entire burger and bun doesn't end up being eaten. It's called detritus and now it's against the rules.

Brad Wahl, Vice President of Marketing at The Krystal Company, says this will restore the tradition of Krystal eating contests going back 70 years. Eaters will still be allowed to bring a beverage of their choice to the competition. So, washing the burgers down remains a legal tactic.

The second major change, resembles a three point play in basketball. Krystal recently added the "Big Angus" burger to their menu. It will now be placed in the Square Off as a bonus. Every eater will be given 5 "Big Angus" burgers at the start of the competition, in addition to their tray of Krystal's. Eat a "Big Angus" and it will count as 5 burgers. "It's always been a Krystal burger eating contest, you can eat as many of those as you can. And we're truly making this the world hamburger eating championship by adding in our Big Angus burgers," says Kenny Hammondtree, Manager of Marketing Promotions with The Krystal Company.

Eaters wanting to compete at the Square Off better start training soon. "If your name isn't Joey Chestnut, you need to earn your spot at the final table on September 27," says Wahl. In order to do that, an eater must win one of seven regional qualifiers or earn a wild card spot. The first regional qualifier kicks off in Chattanooga on August 22^nd at the Southern Brewers Festival.

Regional competition then moves to Six Flags in San Antonio, TX on August 29, Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, FL on September 7th, UAB Football in Birmingham, AL on September 12th, Lennox Square Mall in Atlanta, GA on September 13th, the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville, TN on September 19th, and the Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville, TN on September 20th. The main event hits Ross's Landing on the Chattanooga Riverfront September 27th at Noon.

Once again, Krystal will put up $50,000 in prize money to competitive eaters, with $20,000 going to the top tummy. Chestnut receives an automatic invitation after beating all bellies last year, by consuming 93 burgers.