Representatives of the corporation «McDonald’s» announced the final withdrawal from Russia. But they promised to save jobs, continue working with suppliers and open restaurants under a new name.
“After more than 30 years of operation in the country, McDonald’s Corporation announced its exit from the Russian market and initiated the process of selling its Russian business,” the world’s most famous fast food chain announced today.
However, do not despair, even if you cannot imagine your life without fast food. Very soon, in June 2022, McDonald’s restaurants will reopen to visitors — but under a different brand. The American owners of the network will prohibit using the usual name, logo and corporate menu here.
Fans of cheeseburgers and cherry pies from Mack have been sad since March 14 — then McDonald’s announced that it was suspending the work of its restaurants in Russia. However, those that were open , for example, in Yekaterinburg, continued to work because they belong to other owners. Now, it is likely that the updated versions of burgers and chicken nuggets will delight customers again. Who will become the new owner of the Russian network is not yet known.
Jobs in the company will be saved and cooperation with the main suppliers will continue, as representatives of McDonald’s promise
Is it worth getting upset? Alina Didkovskaya, author of the telegram channel believes that something new is just waiting for us: “Firstly, I would not call it a rebranding. Still, let the company leave the team and points, but it will already be a clearly different performance (you can follow the relatively recent stories of McDonald’s leaving for political reasons — from the Crimea and Donetsk).
Secondly, McDonald’s was loved and hated in Russia — it seems to me, for one reason. It is the epitome of civilization and capitalism. As the founder of «Teremok» Mikhail Goncharov well noted: «We do not know how to do it the way they do.» This does not mean that it will be worse, just that it will definitely be something else.”
Recall that in 2014, the fast food chain officially “left” Donetsk as well, and Donmak was opened in its place. “The menu is very similar,” notes Alina Didkovskaya, “even the packaging is the same. In addition, beer appeared on the menu (Russian poppy has always been emphasized against alcohol on the menu, because it is a family restaurant). It is unlikely that it will now be specifically «Donmak». According to my source, they are negotiating with a Siberian franchisee.”
Be that as it may, in a sense, the departure of McDonald’s symbolically marks the end of an era. On January 31, 1990, the first Russian restaurant of the chain opened on Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow, and many hours of queues lined up for it. Burgers, cheeseburgers — iconic for American, Western life — were completely exotic for the inexperienced Soviet public. “We have been taught for so long to love your forbidden fruits,” the then relevant words from the song “Nautilus Pompilius” turned out to be prophetic today. Goodbye America and goodbye McDonald’s. Thanks for all. Something new is waiting for us.