McDonald's Closes Restaurants in Russia Indefinitely

McDonald’s is stopping service in Russia.

The golden arches are halting fresh fries and crispy chicken nuggets as long as Russia continues to disrupt peace in the unprovoked invasion in Ukraine.

Shutting down every fast food chain in the country indefinitely, 850 locations which employ 62,000 Russians will cease making food and filling drinks.

However, while stores are temporary closed, McDonald’s has announced that they will continue to pay their workers during the shutdown according to Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s CEO.

“Do the right thing,'” Kempczinski said in an e-mail to McDonald’s employees on Tuesday. “That philosophy is enshrined as one of our five guiding values, and there are countless examples over the years of McDonald’s Corporation living up to Fred’s simple ideal. Today, is also one of those days.”
Chris Kempczinski

Alongside the closures, Kempczinski noted that he will be monitoring the situation himself and with McDonald’s Chairman Rick Hernandez including the rest of the company’s Board of Directors.

“As we move forward, McDonald’s will continue to assess the situation and determine if any additional measures are required,” the email added. “At this juncture, it’s impossible to predict when we might be able to reopen our restaurants in Russia. We are experiencing disruptions to our supply chain along with other operational impacts. We will also closely monitor the humanitarian situation.”
Chris Kempczinski