After spending more than 30 years in Russia, McDonald’s, a symbol of American lifestyle and capitalism, has put up a Russian business for sale as it works to leave Russia altogether.
In this movement, growth around the world has become a symbol of globalism, and even more. The basis of peace theory.. In recent years, the collapse of global aspirations amid the coronavirus pandemic and geopolitical tensions has forced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine into action by many companies wishing to operate normally.
With increasing employee and consumer pressure, brands and restaurant chains have partially or completely suspended their operations in Russia. However, few have completely retired due to employee welfare concerns and the difficulty of re-entry after departure.
McDonald’s, which employs 62,000 people in Russia, march Temporarily closing the business there, like some other chains Starbucks Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut.Fully promoted by many employees and activists Shrink..
“This is an unprecedented and complex issue with serious consequences,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in a message to franchises, employees and suppliers obtained by the New York Times. increase.
He added: “Some may argue that providing access to food and continuing to employ tens of thousands of civilians is certainly the right thing to do, but the humanitarian crisis caused by the Ukrainian war. It is impossible to ignore, and it is impossible to imagine a golden arch that represents the same hopes and promises we entered the Russian market 32 years ago. “
McDonald’s plans to sell its franchisee-owned business, including 850 restaurants, to local buyers. It makes those restaurants “non-arched”. That is, you will no longer use McDonald’s names, logos, or brands.McDonald’s Said in a statement Its “priorities include allowing employees of McDonald’s in Russia to continue to pay until the transaction is closed, allowing them to hire potential buyers in the future.”
As a result of the move, McDonald’s recorded an amortization of $ 1.2 billion to $ 1.4 billion and recognized a “foreign currency translation loss,” the company said in a statement.
McDonald’s admission to Russia began at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Kempchinsky wrote a note to franchises, employees and suppliers when the chain allowed the Russian Olympic team to use the Big Mac Bus. Fourteen years later, in January 1990, McDonald’s opened in Moscow.
“It was one of our most proud and exciting milestones in McDonald’s history,” Kempchinsky wrote. “Almost half a century after the hostility of the Cold War, the image of a golden arch above Pushkin Square heralded the beginning of a new era on both sides of the Iron Curtain.”
With 39,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries, McDonald’s has since invested billions of dollars in its entire supply chain and restaurants in Russia.
“This was not an easy decision, and given the size of our business and the current challenges of running a business in Russia, it is not easy to carry out,” Kempchinsky wrote. .. “But the final state is clear.”
