By WMAL.com
On Monday, worldwide mega-chain McDonald’s announced plans to sell its assets in Russia following the country’s invasion into Ukraine. This marks the end of a more than 30 year business relationship that McDonald’s has had with Russia.
“The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald’s to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable, nor is it consistent with McDonald’s values,” said the company in a statement.
The plan, as announced by McDonald’s, is to sell its businesses to a local buyer. The worldwide hamburger chain is expected to begin the process of removing the McDonald’s name, branding, menu, and famous arches from stores across the country in a process they’ve referred to as “de-Arching”.
McDonald’s departure from doing business in Russia marks the latest in a growing list of international companies shutting their doors in the country. While McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in Russia more than 30 years ago following the fall of Berlin Wall as a symbol of global collaboration, its decision to cease business operations in the country is a symbol of resistance against country’s decision to invade Ukraine.
“We’re exceptionally proud of the 62,000 employees who work in our restaurants, along with the hundreds of Russian suppliers who support our business, and our local franchisees,” said the chain’s CEO Chris Kempczinski in a statement. “However, we have a commitment to our global community and must remain steadfast in our values. And our commitment to our values means that we can no longer keep the Arches shining there.”
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