McDonald’s, Casey’s, and Chipotle

The FIFA World Cup won’t have McDonald’s to kick around with anymore. The fast-food giant is ending its longtime partnership with the quadrennial soccer tournament. The company has opted to shift its marketing, and decided not to renew its sponsorship agreement with the event. McDonald’s has sponsored the event since 1994, but the company did not generate the sales it expected during the most recent world cup.

Casey’s is doubling down on its pizza innovation, fresh off a report that it is likely stealing market share from quick-service giants like Pizza Hut. The convenience store chain is launching its first-ever Pan Pizza this week, marking its biggest crust upgrade in years. The company said the impetus behind the launch was the inaccessibility of such a crust; internal data finds that nearly 80% of the small towns Casey’s serves do not have a nearby pan pizza offering.

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. Pan pizza has become one of the most competitive categories within the segment. 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 is bringing back its Mesquite-Smoked Brisket in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time beginning Nov.

5. The protein made its debut on Chipotle’s menu in September 2021 and sold out earlier than anticipated. It returned in September 2024 and helped drive a 4% transaction lift and higher checks during the quarter it was available.

At the time, executives said the launch surpassed expectations. 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.