MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. The Russian-based fast food chain, Vkusno I Tochka, (which translates to Tasty and That’s It) has entered the market of Belarus, the company said in a statement.
"Vkusno I Tochka is completing the procedure for transferring the exclusive rights under a franchising agreement to a Belarusian chain of fast food establishments managed by KSB Victory Restaurants," the statement said.
The company clarified that until the transition, the network will continue to operate under the McDonald's brand on the Belarusian market. The company will start working under the new brand within a few weeks after all the necessary legal procedures are wrapped up and organizational issues are resolved.
At the moment, 25 fast food establishments have been opened in six cities around Belarus. The decision to continue operating under the Vkusno I Tochka franchise will enable the company to save more than 2,000 jobs, while continuing to fulfill all previously accepted obligations to its employees, the company stressed.
The statement said that during its six months of operations, Vkusno I Tochka has fully recovered the supply chain and adapted logistics for the smooth operation of all network enterprises in the Russian market. "Signing a franchise agreement is a very important step for our company. We are entering a new market for us. Now Vkusno I Tochka will operate not only in Russia, but also in Belarus, and this is just the beginning," said Alexander Govor, the owner of the fast food chain.
McDonald's shut all its restaurants in Russia on March 14. On May 16, the global fast food giant, whose share in this market reached 7%, announced its withdrawal from Russia and, through the mediation of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, sold the business to Alexander Govor. The network operates under the brand Vkusno I Tochka, currently represented in 62 Russian regions. The company has resumed the operation of enterprises nationwide. At present, more than 830 venues are open.