Murray Handwerker

Murray Handwerker (July 25, 1921 – May 14, 2011) was an American businessman who expanded Nathan's Famous, a fast food restaurant specializing in hot dogs, from a family-owned hot dog stand to a nationally franchised chain. The original Nathan's Famous hot dog stand was opened in Coney Island, Brooklyn, by Handwerker's father, Nathan Handwerker, in 1916.

Early life Murray Handwerker was born on July 25, 1921, to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents, Nathan and Ida Handwerker, in New York City.

Expansion of Nathan's Famous Handwerker expanded Nathan's Famous in the decades following World War II. In 1968, Murray Handwerker became the president of the Nathan's Famous chain. He sold the company to a group of investors in 1987.

Death Murray Handwerker died of complications from dementia on May 14, 2011, at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, at age 89. He was survived by his sons, Steven, Kenneth and William. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2009.