Casey’s Leverages College Football Fandom with Breakfast Pizza Promotions
Event summary
- Casey’s has renewed its 'Official Pizza of Noon Kickoffs' campaign for the 2026-2027 college football season, offering 40% off pizzas every Saturday from August 29, 2026, through January 2, 2027.
- The company’s 'Tailgate Tracker' survey of 1,201 students and alumni revealed that Ohio State fans wake up earliest (7:52 a.m.) for noon kickoffs, with 35% of fans rising before 8 a.m.
- Casey’s sold over 32 million breakfast pizza slices before noon last fiscal year, positioning it as a key player in the college football tailgating market.
- The campaign includes partnerships with college football players Trevor Lauck, Isaiah Sategna III, and Dre’lon Miller to promote gameday traditions.
The big picture
Casey’s strategic move to align with college football traditions underscores the growing importance of experiential marketing in the convenience store sector. By leveraging early-morning consumer habits and partnerships with college athletes, the company aims to solidify its position as a go-to destination for gameday food. The success of this campaign could set a precedent for other convenience store chains looking to capitalize on sports fandom.
What we're watching
- Consumer Engagement
- Whether Casey’s can sustain the momentum from its breakfast pizza promotions to drive long-term customer loyalty beyond the football season.
- Market Expansion
- How the company’s focus on college football tailgating will impact its presence in other sports-related markets.
- Operational Efficiency
- The pace at which Casey’s can scale its promotional offers without compromising profitability.