After 30 years, McDonald’s pulls all its business out of Russia over Ukraine invasion

After 30 years doing business in Russia, McDonald’s has officially pulled out of the country due to its ongoing attack on Ukraine.

Citing the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine clashing with the company’s values, McDonald’s announced on Tuesday it will be “de-Arching” all of its 800 locations in Russia, meaning the locations will legally no longer be allowed to use the McDonald’s logo, name or menu.

The company’s official statement blames the “humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment” that “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.”

McDonald’s will sell all its Russian locations to local buyers. The company also says it has secured employment for all McDonald’s employees in Russia with the buyers of the McDonald’s locations.

“McDonald’s priorities include seeking to ensure the employees of McDonald’s Russia continue to be paid until the close of any transaction and that employees have future employment with any potential buyer,” said the statement.

When the war began McDonald’s followed many corporations in halting its business in Russia, and all locations have been shuttered since early March. However, due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, McDonald’s has opted to completely halt operations there, but says it will maintain its trademarks in Russia.

McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said of the move, “We have a long history of establishing deep, local roots wherever the Arches shine. 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. Their dedication and loyalty to McDonald’s make today’s announcement extremely difficult.”