MCDONALD’S REOPENS IN RUSSIA AS VKUSNO & TOCHKA

Sun 12 June 2022:

McDonald’s withdrew from Russia in protest at the invasion of Ukraine, selling more than 800 of its stores to Russian businessman Alexander Govor.

Today the first rebranded restaurants are reopening in Moscow.

McDonald’s in Russia has a new name – Vkusno & tochka, which translates to “Tasty and that’s it”, general director of the fast food chain Oleg Paroev told reporters.

“I’m excited to introduce our new name, Vkusno & tochka,” he said.

McDonald’s suspended all 850 of its restaurants in Russia on March 14, shortly after the start of special military operation in Ukraine. On May 16, the company, whose share in the catering market reached 7%, announced its withdrawal from Russia and, through the mediation of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, sold the business to a Russian owner, businessman Alexander Govor.

The chain will operate under a new brand and with new menu names, while all employees will retain their positions. The updated menu will remain the same, but the names of the dishes have been changed, the prefix “Mc-” or “Mac-” has been removed. On June 12, the updated fast food chain opens 15 venues in Moscow and the region, including the flagship venue on Pushkinskaya Square.

Opening of a McDonald’s restaurant under a new name “Vkusno i tochka” (Delicious and period). pic.twitter.com/6o0C3HK05g

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) June 12, 2022

Opening of a McDonald’s restaurant under a new name “Vkusno i tochka” (Delicious and period). pic.twitter.com/e0XRbo1UEJ

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) June 12, 2022

The new logo features a burger and two french fries in the shape of an M, although the name of the new brand is yet to be revealed.

Critics of the new logo have pointed out its similarity to that of the Marriott hotel chain, which operates in Russia. One person on social media described it as “the Marriott hotel logo crossed with the flag of Bangladesh”.

According to reports from Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, the McDonald’s app in Russia has been renamed as “My Burger”. The agency was informed that this was a temporary name, to comply with the requirement to remove the McDonald’s brand.

Last year, Russia and Ukraine contributed for around 9% of McDonald’s global sales.

Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, worldwide brands such as Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Levi’s, and Apple have left or suspended sales in Russia.

Wide-ranging international sanctions have been imposed on Russia, hurting its supply networks and raising unemployment.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent