Krystal Square Off VI Date & Rule Changes Announced Prior to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition

The number of Krystals consumed at this year's Krystal Square Off will likely be down. After a warmer than usual competition contributed to lower numbers last year, the sponsor of the main event hopes to initiate a few changes to improve this stomach centric sport.

Krystal wants to limit detritus. That's a fancy word for disintegrating material. Competitive eaters are typically allowed to bring their favorite beverage to the table to help wash down their meal. However, many eaters don't drink the beverage. They use the liquid to soften the food, so it will slide down their throat. In the case of Krystal's, when you dunk the little burgers in liquid for a few seconds, the bun begins to break apart. Over the process of eating 70 or more hamburgers, you would lose countless numbers of buns.

This is just one of two game changers Krystal hinted at prior to the start of the Nathan's Hot Dog eating competition, the other "major" event in for competitive eaters.

The other potential change remains a secret. Brad Wahl, Vice President of Marketing at The Krystal Company, will only say "this new rule will drastically alter the way eaters approach our contest from a strategic level." Wahl calls it a really big change, one that will make the sixth Square Off, the most exciting yet.

But neither rule change is a done deal. Taking on detritus continues to be deliberated by officials with Major League Eating, the sanctioning body for these events. Richard Shea, President of MLE, says "having hosted a controversial event last year, I do understand the desire to limit confusion in judging, especially considering how coveted the Krystal Square Off title is."

Joey Chestnut won that event by consuming 93 Krystal's in eight minutes. But the second and third place spots were much closer. Pat Bertoletti bested Takeru Kobayashi 85 to 84. A detritus rule could have altered where both men finished.

Wahl did reveal the date for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Competition. It will return to the Chattanooga, TN Riverfront September 27, 2009. Several qualifying rounds will be held in the months leading up to the main event. Dates and locations have yet to be announced.