CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 8, 2025--
Today, Oscar Mayer announces that applications are open for its next class of Hotdoggers, inviting recent college graduates to apply for a one-year, full-time adventure behind the wheel of the iconic Wienermobile. Open through January 31, the relished position offers fans the opportunity to become official spokespeople of the brand while living out its mission of sparking smiles across the country.
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The Hotdogger Program, which began in 1988, was designed to develop top talent and inspire future leaders who embody innovation, creativity and community spirit. Since its inception, Hotdoggers have sparked nearly 200 million smiles, making the role a “bunderful” fit for the 90 percent of Gen Z seeking careers that make a positive impact on society. 1
“There is no better way to jumpstart your career than behind the wheel of an American icon, and each year applicants go all out to get our attention—whether it be creating social media videos or mailing in creative scrapbooks and projects to our headquarters,” said Molle Twing, Senior Brand Manager for Oscar Mayer and former Hotdogger. “That spirit and imagination perfectly captures what it means to be a Hotdogger, and whether you were in the first class of Hotdoggers or are looking to become part of this year’s, one thing remains true: this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to relish.”
With more than 5,000 hopeful applicants and only twelve candidates who cut the mustard, the role remains highly sought after—so much so that fewer people have driven the Wienermobile than have been to outer space. This year is no different as selected applicants will make up the 39th class of Hotdoggers and have the privilege of welcoming the Wienermobile into its 90th year, continuing a rich tradition of spreading delight through deliciously satisfying meats.
Each Hotdogger is entrusted with driving and maintaining the 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels. By traveling the hot dog highways nationwide – visiting upwards of 30 states and attending hundreds of events annually – Hotdoggers become the face of a multi-billion-dollar iconic brand. In addition to travel, events and media appearances, Hotdoggers serve as content creators, developing custom content of their travels and “meat” and greets reaching all generations.
Hotdoggers bring delight and smiles to people around the country while representing the iconic Wienermobile, which has been cemented in the fabric of American culture since it debuted in 1936. Over the years, the Wienermobile has visited eight countries and appeared in television shows and movies. Hotdoggers have surprised fans and celebrities with rides “shotbun,” have officiated weddings at the Wienermobile of Love in Las Vegas and most recently hauled buns at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the inaugural Wienie 500 – all continuing to leave a lasting legacy with every stop.
To learn more about Oscar Mayer, the Wienermobile or Hotdoggers, visit the job posting on the Kraft Heinz Career Page and follow along on Instagram and TikTok.
1Deloitte 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Global Workforce Survey
ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let's Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2024 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of eight consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we're dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn.
Now through January 31, Oscar Mayer invites fans to apply for a one-year, full-time, paid gig behind the wheel of the iconic Wienermobile.
LONDON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was meeting the French, German and British leaders in London on Monday as Kyiv’s European allies try to strengthen Ukraine’s hand in thorny talks on a U.S.-backed plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was due to gather with Zelenskyy, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the British leader’s 10 Downing St. residence.
Zelenskyy said late Sunday that his talks with European leaders this week in London and Brussels will focus on security, air defense and long-term funding for Ukraine’s war effort. The leaders are working to ensure that any ceasefire is backed by solid security guarantees both from Europe and the U.S. to deter Russia from attacking again.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators completed three days of talks on Saturday aimed at trying to narrow differences on the U.S. administration’s peace proposal.
Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram that talks had been “substantive” and that National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov were traveling back to Europe to brief him.
A major sticking point in the proposal is the suggestion that Ukraine must cede control of its eastern Donbas region to Russia, which illegally occupies most but not all of the territory. Ukraine and its European allies have balked at the idea of handing over land.
Starmer said he “won’t be putting pressure” on Zelenskyy to accept a peace settlement.
“The most important thing is to ensure that if there is a cessation of hostilities, and I hope there is, it has to be just and it has to be lasting, which is what we will be focused on this afternoon,” he told broadcaster ITV.
In an exchange with reporters on Sunday night, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared frustrated with Zelenskyy, claiming the Ukrainian leader “hasn’t yet read the proposal.”
“Russia is, I believe, fine with it, but I’m not sure that Zelenskyy’s fine with it," Trump said before taking part in the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. "His people love it, but he hasn't read it."
Trump has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Zelenskyy since riding into a second White House term insisting that the war was a waste of U.S. taxpayers’ money. Trump has also repeatedly urged the Ukrainians to cede land to Russia to bring an end to the nearly four-year conflict.
The European talks follow the publication of a new U.S. national security strategy that alarmed European leaders and was welcomed by Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the document, which spells out the administration’s core foreign policy interests, was largely in line with Moscow’s vision.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, Peskov said that the Kremlin welcomed the document’s focus on developing constructive relations with Russia.
“The nuances that we see in the new concept certainly look appealing to us,” he told reporters. “It mentions the need for dialogue and building constructive, friendly relations. This cannot but appeal to us, and it absolutely corresponds to our vision. We understand that by eliminating the irritants that currently exist in bilateral relations, a prospect may open for us to truly restore our relations and bring them out of the rather deep crisis.”
The document released Friday by the White House said the U.S. wants to improve its relationship with Russia after years of Moscow being treated as a global pariah and that ending the war is a core U.S. interest to “reestablish strategic stability with Russia.”
The document also says NATO must not be “a perpetually expanding alliance,” echoing another complaint of Russia’s. It was scathing about the migration and free speech policies of longstanding U.S. allies in Europe, suggesting they face the “prospect of civilizational erasure” due to migration.
Starmer’s government has declined to comment on the American document, saying it is a matter for the U.S. government.
Russian forces continued to attack Ukraine Monday as diplomatic efforts continued.
Russian drones struck a residential high-rise in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Okhtyrka overnight, injuring seven people, the head of the regional administration, Oleh Hryhorov, wrote on Telegram. He said that the building suffered extensive damage.
Elsewhere, in the northern city of Chernihiv, a Russian drone injured three people when it exploded outside a residential building, regional head Viacheslav Chaus said. The attack also damaged a kindergarten, domestic gas pipes and cars.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Monday that Russia fired a total of 149 drones across the country overnight, of which 131 were neutralized and 16 more struck their targets.
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses destroyed 67 Ukrainian drones overnight, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Monday. The drones were shot down over 11 Russian regions, it said.
Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures while speaking as he takes part in a joint news conference with the Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Dec. 1, 2025 before a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Services on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, a rescue worker puts out a fire of a residential building damaged by a Russian strike in Sumy region, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Services on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, a rescue worker puts out a fire of a car in front of a residential building damaged by a Russian strike in Sumy region, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
