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McDonald's brand may return to Russia in future, says head of company’s division in Russia

On May 19, the company announced that it would sell its Russian business to current licensee Alexander Govor

MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. Oleg Paroyev, who ran McDonald's in Russia, does not rule that the corporation will be able to resume work in Russia, but this will not happen in the near future.

"It is in the interests of everyone that McDonald's ever return to Russia, and our CEO Chris Kempczinski mentioned "possibility of a new meeting," in his statement," Paroyev told TASS.

He also said that so far McDonald’s franchisees in Russia will be offered to operate under a new brand, which will be developed and presented in the near future.

"There will be a new brand, and we will offer our current franchisees to connect to the new system on new commercial terms, to which they can agree or refuse," Paroyev said.

He explained that the American corporation is withdrawing the brand from Russia completely, and not only stand-alone McDonald's restaurants, but also catering outlets at food courts, McCafe, McKiosk will have to change their names throughout the country.

"Partners don’t have to change the name of their companies but the brand under which they are working should be changed - they will not be able to work under McDonald's," he said.

According to him, McDonald's business in Russia will get a new name in the near future. "It is in everyone's interest to launch a new brand as soon as possible," he concluded.

On Thursday, McDonald's announced that it would sell its Russian business to current licensee Alexander Govor. Under the terms of the deal, Govor acquires the entire restaurant portfolio of the chain and will further develop it under a new brand.

Earlier, a TASS source said that when McDonald's restaurants open under the new brand, jobs, most suppliers and menus will be preserved, "in fact, only the name will go away."

On March 8. McDonald's announced that it would temporarily shut down all its restaurants in Russia due to the events around Ukraine.

In his statement McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said that the company will continue to pay salaries to all its 62,000 Russian employees and the Ronald McDonald House Charities will continue its operations both in Russia and Ukraine. The fast-food chain ceased operations in Ukraine on February 24, in Russia on March 14.

According to Associated Press, McDonald’s has 850 restaurants in Russia.

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