Gen.G executes simultaneous partnerships with rivals McDonald’s and Burger King

Esports organisation Gen.G is demonstrating a sophisticated partnership strategy by concurrently engaging in deals with two of the world’s largest and most historic fast-food rivals, McDonald’s and Burger King. This move highlights how top esports entities can navigate competing brand interests by creating distinct, non-overlapping collaborations.

The two partnerships are strategically differentiated by both geography and objective. In the United States, Gen.G is deepening its six-year relationship with McDonald’s through a community-focused initiative. The ‘NEXTGEN Club Challenge presented by McDonald’s SoCal Gaming‘ is a charitable programme involving four Southern California universities. Student gaming clubs will host fundraising events for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, with the winning club receiving a title sponsorship for a campus event.

Also read: Gen.G teams up with thirteen U.S. universities for esports study program in Seoul

Conversely, the collaboration with Burger King is a product-led marketing campaign confined to South Korea. Centred around Gen.G’s League of Legends team, it features a limited-edition “Penta Cheese Whopper” and merchandise, leveraging the star power of player Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk.

For the broader esports industry, this is an example of a practical commercial model. By separating partnerships by region and activation type—a charitable, long-term community programme in one market versus a short-term, product-based promotion in another—an organisation can work with competing brands without creating direct conflict.

This allows each brand to engage with the esports audience in a way that aligns with its specific marketing goals. The community angle of the McDonald’s deal was echoed in a press release by Kadell Washington of Highlander Gaming, who said, “We believe gaming is about more than just competition, but about building a community where people feel like they belong, and with the support of Gen.G and McDonald’s, we’re excited to take that sense of connection and give back.”