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.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251208583856/en/
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.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Target is investing another $2 billion in its business this year to spruce up and remodel stores among other projects as it tries to turn around a persistent sales malaise and reclaim its authority on style.
The investment, announced Tuesday at its annual investor meeting in at its headquarters in Minneapolis, comes as the discounter reported another quarter of declining sales and profits amid its struggles to regain its footing with customers who are going elsewhere for fashion, home and other needs.
Tuesday's report offered some hope for the business. The company delivered a solid annual profit outlook that was better than Wall Street had been projecting. It also said it believes net sales will grow every quarter this year.
Target said comparable-store sales rose to start the current quarter.
“This is a new chapter, and it's all about growth,” said CEO Michael Fiddelke, a 20-year company veteran who succeeded longtime CEO Brian Cornell last month.
Fiddelke and other executives detailed plans to turn around Target as investors have been hungry for a return to Target’s former dominance in affordable chic for which it earned it the nickname “Tarzhay” in years past.
Target said that its stores will get the biggest refresh this year than they have had in roughly a decade. The company will invest hundreds of millions of dollars for additional store labor and training. And it plans to open 30 new stores and aims to remodel 130 of its existing stores.
In particular, Target is launching a new beauty area called Target Beauty Studio in 600 stores this fall, which will offer upscale beauty products and beauty services. The new area will partly replace its shops with Ulta, which is ending its partnership in August, the company said.
Fiddelke takes over with Target’s hometown of Minneapolis a front line of sorts in President Donald Trump’s campaign to curb illegal immigration. Some of the company’s stores have become a flashpoint in a pushback against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The company has faced pressure to take a public stand against the immigration crackdown.
Even before the immigration clashes, Target had been facing protests and boycotts over the company’s decision to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Critics believe it's a betrayal of Target’s philanthropic commitment to fighting racial disparities and promoting progressive values in liberal Minneapolis and beyond.
That is outside of a volatile economic and political environment that has been intensified by an aggressive trade campaign under Trump. The White House is now seeking a global tariff of 15%, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of the far-reaching taxes on imports that he had imposed over the last year.
While the pace of inflation has cooled, consumer prices have soared about 25% over the past five years. U.S. companies are facing a hazy outlook with American households hurting, and the Trump administration is trying to work around the Supreme Court ruling to keep his duties in place.
And Target customers have soured on what they see as untended and messy stores with lackluster merchandise.
As the company’s nearly 2,000 store locations have become shipping hubs for online operations, customers say the in-store shopping experience has suffered with staff fulfilling digital orders rather than tending to store aisles.
Target is also facing stiffer competition from Walmart, which has stepped up its focus on fashion and other goods. As many Americans trade down because of inflation, Walmart has gained market share, particularly among households with annual income above $100,000.
Fiddelke has already reshuffled the leadership team at Target, boosted spending on in-store store staffing and made cuts at distribution facilities and regional offices, according to a memo sent to employees in February.
Target said it's focusing merchandise category by category and infusing its assortment with new differentiated items to set itself from its competitors. For example, in the home area, 75% of the company's home decorative assortment will be new.
The company is also reworking its store label brands such as its home goods brand called Threshold. It announced a merchandise collaboration with Roller Rabbit, a brand known for its 1960s-inspired silhouettes and colorful playful prints. The collection of clothing, pajamas and accessories is expected to make its debut at Target this month for a limited time.
The company said it's adding more fashion drops this year and using an artificial intelligence tool to better spot trends. In some examples, it's cutting the time frame from a design concept to store shelves to a matter of weeks from over a year, according to Cara Sylvester, Target’s chief merchandising officer.
And in food, the company is hoping to drive more trips by expanding its fresh produce while also offering innovative items. This year, it plans to increase the amount of newness across the assortment by nearly 50%, it said.
The company earned $2.30 per share, or $1.05 billion, for the three-month period ended Jan. 31. That compares with $2.41 per share, or $1.10 billion, during the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings per share for the most recent quarter was $2.44.
Sales fell 1.5% to $30.45 billion during the latest period. For the full year, sales fell nearly 2% to $104.78 billion.
Analysts were expecting $2.16 per share on sales of $30.46 billion, according to a survey by FactSet.
Comparable sales — sales at established stores and online channels — fell 2.5%, followed by a 2.7% dip in the fiscal third quarter. The latest figure marks 11 quarters out of the past 13 that Target has posted either declines or flattish growth for this measure.
Tuesday’s report offered some hopeful signs for the business. Target said that sales and customer traffic accelerated in the final two months of the quarter. And it saw sales growth in food and beverage, beauty and toys for the latest quarter.
Target said that it expects net sales for the year to increase by 2%, which would mean it expects sales to reach $106.88 billion. That’s a bit above analysts’ expectations of $106.7 billion. Target also anticipates earnings per share to be in the range of $7.50 to $8.50. Analysts are expecting $7.30 per share for the year, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
Products sit on display at a Target store, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Edina, Minn. (AP Photo/Anne D'Innocenzio)
Products sit on display at a Target store, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Edina, Minn. (AP Photo/Anne D'Innocenzio)
FILE - The Target logo displayed on a sign outside a store, Nov. 18, 2025, in Salem, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Products sit on display at a Target store, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Edina, Minn. (AP Photo/Anne D'Innocenzio)
