For more than 40 seasons,Diners, Drive‑Ins & Diveshas taken viewers on a wild ride through America’s most flavorful roadside gems. With his signature bleach-blonde spikes, bold button-downs, and a heart as big as his appetite,Guy Fieriturned what could’ve been a niche food show into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. But now fans are wondering:What happens when the keys to the red Camaro get passed on?
As Fieri inches toward his 60s and grows busier with a growing food and beverage empire, viewers are asking whether his sons, Hunter and Ryder Fieri, are next in line to inherit the crown ofFlavortown. And according to Guy himself, it’s not out of the question.
Hunter Fieri Is Already in the Driver’s Seat (Almost)
At 28,Hunter Fieriis already proving he’s more than just the son of a celebrity chef. He’s earned a hospitality degree from UNLV, recently completed his MBA from the University of Miami, and has become a familiar face across Guy’s various shows, includingTournament of Champions.
In a recentinterview withPeople, Guy hinted that Hunter might one day step in. “Maybe he’lltake it over,” he said. “We’ll see.” It’s clear he sees the potential, especially given Hunter’s ease on camera and culinary know-how.
This Iconic Comedy Character Was Inspired by Guy Fieri
One ticket to Flavortown, please!
Guy’s also made it clear how proud he is of hisson’s growth. “I love how he gains confidence each season,” he said, even recalling howsome of his favorite mealsnow come straight from Hunter’s kitchen. Hunter, for his part, isn’t shying away from the possibility of leading the DDD legacy. “When the time comes,” he’s said, “I will be ready to roll.”
Ryder’s a Wild Card—but Don’t Count Him Out
Meanwhile, 19-year-oldRyder Fieriis still finding his flavor. A freshman at San Diego State University, Ryder has been lessvisiblein the food TV spotlight, although he did make a brief appearance on DDD in Boise last year. That segment may have sparked something. After moving into hiscollege dorm, Ryder complained about the bland food and suddenly took aninterest in cookingfor himself. “Now he’s really into it,” Guy said. “The clouds have parted.”
Still, there’s a lot ofgrowing upahead. And in the Fieri household, nothing gets handed over easily, not even a legacy likeTriple D.
No Free Rides in Flavortown
Fieri’s parenting philosophy is as bold as his buffalo chicken. He famously enforces a“no inheritance without two degrees”rule. While Hunter recently checked both boxes,Ryder’s reportedly trying to negotiate a workaround based on his GPA. Good luck with that! Fieri didn’t even let his sonsdrive his carsuntil they proved themselves in hand-me-down clunkers.
Thatwork ethicruns deep. “My dad told me, ‘When I die, I’m leaving you nothing except a funeral bill,’” Guyonce said. That belief in earning your stripes—whether in a kitchen, a classroom, or behind a food truck—is part of what’s madeDiners, Drive‑Ins & Divesfeel authentic for nearly two decades.
Passing the Torch Without Losing the Flame
The idea of anyone other than Guy Fieri hostingTriple Dmight seemsacrilegiousto longtime fans. His charisma, curiosity, and full-throttle energy have made the show what it is. Butif anyone has a shot at preserving the soul of the series while bringingsomething fresh to the table, it’s Hunter.
With his restaurant chops, business acumen, and on-camera confidence, Hunter could carve out his own flavor of Flavortown. Thenext-gen versionofTriple Ddoesn’t need to be a copy — it could evolve with a younger, more digitally savvy audience, a widerlens on cuisine, and fresh takes on what qualifies as a “dive.”
Still, for now, Guy isn’t going anywhere. In trueFieri fashion, he keeps it casual but open-ended: “I don’t know that I’ll doTriple Dforever,” he toldPeople. “Maybe [Hunter will] take it over. We’ll see.”
The Future of Flavortown Is Still Cooking
Whether or not the Fieri sonsofficially inherittheTriple Dfranchise, one thing’s clear: they’re already living the brand. From co-hosting gigs to back-of-house prep to tequila and wine ventures with their dad,Hunter and Ryder are being seasoned behind the scenes.
There’s no pressure toclone Guy, but there is an opportunity to carry forward his ethos: spotlighting small businesses, championing community, and celebrating the joy of a good bite in an unexpected place. So if you’re wondering whether Flavortown willstay in the family… it just might. But like all great dishes, the next course is still being prepped.
