McDonald’s finally out of Russia

After McDonald’s already decided to close its Russian branches in March, the hamburger chain is now completely selling everything in the country. “Staying in Russia is inconsistent with McDonald’s values.”

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After more than 30 years, McDonald’s disappears from the Russian streets for good. A few weeks after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the company announced that it would closed its 850 restaurants in the countrybut now McDonald’s is going to sell those branches as well.

The company cites the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine and the unpredictable operational climate as reasons for its departure. Ownership of outlets in Russia is no longer tenable, and it’s not in line with McDonald’s values,” it said in a statement. press release understand.

McDonald’s is now looking for a local buyer for the restaurants, which will no longer be allowed to use the hamburger chain’s name and logo.

Pay staff further paid

Russia was nevertheless an important country for McDonald’s: it represented 9 percent of the total turnover, 62,000 Russians worked for the chain. The company was also a major customer of hundreds of Russian suppliers.

“Their dedication and loyalty to McDonald’s makes this announcement very difficult,” said CEO Chris Kempczinski. The company will continue to pay Russian employees until the restaurants are sold and it says it is trying to find a buyer who will guarantee them permanent job security.

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