Following a wave of multinational corporations’ announcements that they would cease doing business in Russia, McDonald’s ultimately announced on Tuesday that it would temporarily close all of its outlets in the country—more than 800—and halt operations.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski wrote in an open letter that the situation in Ukraine has resulted in “unspeakable pain” for “innocent people,” and that the firm rejects “aggression and bloodshed.”
“McDonald’s has chosen to temporarily close all of our locations in Russia, as well as halt all market operations,” Kempczinski tweeted. “We recognise the impact on our Russian colleagues and partners, and we are prepared to help all three legs of the stool in Ukraine and Russia.” This includes all McDonald’s employees in Russia keeping their salaries.”
Other well-known food firms and restaurants followed immediately McDonald’s statement. Starbucks has announced that all of its shops in Russia, which are owned and operated by Kuwaiti giant Alshaya Group, will close. Coca-Cola announced that it was discontinuing sales in the country.
PepsiCo, whose products have been sold in Russia since the early 1970s, said that it would stop selling Pepsi and 7-Up there but would continue to manufacture dairy and baby food products as a “humanitarian” attempt to keep tens of thousands of factory and employees employed.
