Big Mac snacks are still on sale in some of the franchises in McDonalds at Russia despite most of its restaurants reopening on Sunday (19) under a new brand and ownership.
McDonald’s sold most of its 850 restaurants in Russia to one of its local licensees in May. Some of them reopened last Sunday (12) with the new name Vkusno & tochka, or “tasty and ready”, offering a new menu without the company’s most famous burger.
But other franchisees have kept their locations open, selling authentic McDonald’s meals in restaurants adorned with the company’s lightly concealed branding.
The move by these franchises highlights the challenges Western companies face in getting rid of the Russian market entirely due to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine .
The McDonald’s name and logo were covered with transparent white fabric at train stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and the Big Mac burger was available, albeit renamed the Bolshoi Burger, or Big Burger.
At Moscow’s Leningradskiy Station and St. Petersburg’s Finlandskiy Station, McDonald’s logos were used on carry-on bags, and the American company’s branding was still visible on other packaging and electronic menus.
the rival Burger King discontinued corporate support for its restaurants in Russia in March, but they remain open and thriving in places like central Moscow. The company has struggled to break a complex franchise agreement.
The nuance with McDonald’s also concerns franchises. One franchisee, Rosinter Restaurants, is maintaining its locations at airports and train stations in Moscow and St.
“Everything is changing”
Although the Big Mac has been removed from the menu at Rosinter stores, in Saint Petersburg it was possible to order one directly. Diana, the cashier, explained that the fries, however, were not available due to lack of deliveries, with potato wedges on sale.
The same was true of soft drinks. The restaurant was selling products from Coke in bottles. The company suspended sales in Russia and it was not immediately clear whether this breached any agreement. Sought, Coca-Cola did not issue immediate comments.
The Big Mac was served in a “Chicken Premier” box, and appeared to lack the famous signature sauce.
Store manager Valentina said “everything is changing” when asked if there was less sauce than usual.
Rosinter said it was experiencing delivery issues due to supply chain disruptions. “This is a temporary issue that will be resolved as the logistical situation normalizes,” he said.
The Astoria company, part of NMGK, could not be reached by phone and did not respond to emailed comments.
McDonald’s declined to comment on the details of the Reuters report. The company said it went out of business entirely when it finalized the transfer of its Russian business.
Source: CNN Brasil
