# McDonald’s, Casey’s, and Chipotle Shift Strategies

> McDonald’s ends World Cup sponsorship; Casey’s launches Pan Pizza; Chipotle returns smoked brisket.
- Title: McDonald’s, Casey’s, and Chipotle Shift Strategies | Shortify
- Summary: McDonald’s ends World Cup sponsorship; Casey’s launches Pan Pizza; Chipotle returns smoked brisket. McDonald’s stops World Cup sponsorship after poor sales…
- Keywords: mcdonalds, caseys, chipotle, pan pizza, smoked brisket, world cup, quick service, restaurant news, food, business, McDonald, Casey
- Source: Nation's Restaurant News — https://nrn.com/quick-service/mcdonald-s-casey-s-and-chipotle
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mcdonalds, caseys, chipotle, pan pizza, smoked brisket, world cup, quick service, restaurant news, food, business
## McDonald’s ends World Cup sponsorship
McDonald’s has opted to shift its marketing and decided not to renew its sponsorship agreement with the FIFA World Cup after failing to generate expected sales.

> The company has sponsored the event since 1994, but the company did not generate the sales it expected during the most recent world cup.
## Casey’s launches Pan Pizza
Casey’s is launching its first-ever Pan Pizza this week, marking its biggest crust upgrade in years to address the inaccessibility of such a crust in nearly 80% of small towns it serves.

> Internal data finds that nearly 80% of the small towns Casey’s serves do not have a nearby pan pizza offering.
## Chipotle returns smoked brisket
Chipotle is bringing back its Mesquite-Smoked Brisket in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time beginning November 5 after it sold out earlier than anticipated in 2024.

> The protein made its debut on Chipotle’s menu in September 2021 and sold out earlier than anticipated.
## Pan pizza development
Casey’s spent nearly two years developing the thicker crust, made with olive oil, honey, sea salt, and finely milled double zero flour.

> The company spent nearly two years developing the thicker crust, which is made with olive oil, honey, sea salt, and finely milled double zero flour.
## Pizza competition
Pan pizza has become one of the most competitive categories within the segment, with Pizza Hut introducing a Crispy Parm Pan Pizza in May and Papa Johns bringing back its pizza for the first time…

> In May, Pizza Hut introduced a Crispy Parm Pan Pizza, while earlier this year Papa Johns brought back its pizza for the first time in six years.
## Chipotle’s transaction lift
The return of smoked brisket helped drive a 4% transaction lift and higher checks during the quarter it was available in 2024.

> It returned in September 2024 and helped drive a 4% transaction lift and higher checks during the quarter it was available.
## Chipotle’s 100 Creators campaign
To promote its return, Chipotle invited superfans into restaurant kitchens to prepare the protein and capture the experience from their first-person perspectives as part of the brand’s new 100 Creators campaign.

> To promote its return, Chipotle invited superfans into restaurant kitchens to prepare the protein and capture the experience from their first-person perspectives as part of the brand’s new 100 Creators campaign.
## Key takeaway

McDonald’s stops World Cup sponsorship after poor sales, Casey’s releases Pan Pizza to fill market gaps, and Chipotle brings back smoked brisket for limited time.