Abstract: A hollow shirred casing stick is provided having the terminal pleats of one end thereof twisted into a funnel-like configuration at least a portion of which is implanted within said hollow stick to form an end closure. An end closure may be formed in a shirred casing stick by twisting the terminal pleats of a shirred casing stick into said stick about a rod member inserted therein. A device is also provided for forming an end closure in a hollow shirred casing stick comprising in combination a red member that is insertable in the end of a hollow shirred casing stick and retractable from within an end closure formed thereabout and a rotatable, twisting member disposed about the rod member for engaging and twisting the terminal pleats of a hollow shirred casing stick about the rod member inserted in the end of a shirred stick.