The Year 2006 was dubbed by pundits as the "Year of the Increase." Multiple Competitive Eaters put up numbers dramatically above their personal records during the Qualifying Tour. Local records were falling right and left.

But noone was prepared for the Krystal Square Off III World Hamburger Eating Championship. With thousands in attendance, and millions more watching live on ESPN2, Takeru Kobayashi ate 97 Krystals, shattering the previous World Record of 69. Joey Chesnut finished a close second with 91 Krystals, pushing Kobayashi as he had never been pushed before.