The world’s biggest burger chain McDonalds’s had shut all its outlets in Russia and Ukraine following the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In a recent development, the company has announced its plans on reopening its restaurants in Ukraine over the next few months.
This could be an early indication of western businesses returning to the country even as the conflict with Russia continues. The fast food giants have said the decision was made after extensive discussions with Ukrainian officials and employees. The world’s biggest burger chain had closed all its outlets in the country in March 2022 after Moscow sent troops into its neighbor. McDonalds’s had 109 restaurants in Ukraine but did not say how many it planned to reopen.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered an economic decline of more than 35% this year. In Ukraine thousands of businesses have shut down disrupting exports and devastating key infrastructure across the country. In June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with western business leaders urging them to invest more in the country.
McDonald’s said it was working with suppliers to get products back to restaurants. It also announced it would bring employees back on- site with stronger safety protocols. Reopening will commence in cities of Kiev and Western Ukraine, areas which are largely shielded from the most intense fighting. KFC and Pizza Hut owner Yum brands said earlier this month that nearly all of it stores in the country had reopened.