McDonald’s closes all restaurants in Russia

McDonald’s has announced it is temporarily closing all restaurants and pausing operations in Russia, whilst continuing to pay its employees full wage in the region.

It comes as the global chain faced growing pressure from around the world to halt Russian operations amid the escalating Ukraine crisis. 

The group currently employs 62,000 people in Russia, and acknowledged the impact that closing operations may have on staff here. In light of this, it said it was “prepared to support all three legs of the stool” in Ukraine and Russia by greenlighting a salary continuation for workers in both countries. 

In addition, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Russia will continue its full operations, while RMHC Ukraine is partnering with local hospitals and providing humanitarian aid throughout Ukraine. RMHC Poland Care Mobile is also at the Polish-Ukrainian border to provide medical care and humanitarian aid for families and children.

McDonald’s condemned the “aggression and violence” shown by Russia, and as well as continuing to pay full salaries for Ukrainian employees, it has donated $5m (£3.8m) to its Employee Assistance Fund, whilst continuing to support relief efforts led by the International Red Cross in the region. 

In a statement, CEO Chris Kempczinski said: “In recent days, I have spoken with and heard from many in our System about our operations in Russia. The situation is extraordinarily challenging for a global brand like ours, and there are many considerations. For 66 years, we have operated with the belief that communities are made better when there’s a McDonald’s nearby.

“In Russia, we employ 62,000 people who have poured their heart and soul into our McDonald’s brand to serve their communities. We work with hundreds of local, Russian suppliers and partners who produce the food for our menu and support our brand. In the thirty-plus years that McDonald’s has operated in Russia, we’ve become an essential part of the 850 communities in which we operate.”

He added: “At the same time, our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine. Years ago, when confronted with his own difficult decision, Fred Turner explained his approach quite simply: “Do the right thing.” 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.

“Working closely in consultation with our chairman, Rick Hernandez, and the rest of McDonald’s board of Directors over the last week, McDonald’s has decided to temporarily close all our restaurants in Russia and pause all operations in the market. We understand the impact this will have on our Russian colleagues and partners, which is why we are prepared to support all three legs of the stool in Ukraine and Russia. This includes salary continuation for all McDonald’s employees in Russia.”

Looking ahead, McDonald’s said it will continue to assess the situation and determine if any additional measures are required, adding that it is “impossible to predict” when it might be able to reopen restaurants in Russia.