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McDonald’s has announced that it will temporarily close its restaurants and operations in Russia, as a response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
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The company, which plans to close 850 restaurants in Russia, has 62,000 employees in the country.
In an open letter to employees and franchisees, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said: “The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people. As a system, we join the world in condemning aggression and violence and praying for peace.”
The fast-food restaurant company said that it will support its Russian employees ‘who have poured their heart and soul into our McDonald’s brand to serve their communities’.
Furthermore, McDonald’s will continue to pay the salaries of all its employees in Russia.
The restaurant chain has also extended its full support to staff members in Ukraine and decided to continue paying full salaries to its Ukrainian employees.
Additionally, McDonald’s provided immediate financial support to its team in Ukraine, donating $5m to its Employee Assistance Fund while continuing to support relief efforts led by the International Red Cross in the region.
Kempczinski added: “As we move forward, McDonald’s will continue to assess the situation and determine if any additional measures are required. 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.
“As always, McDonald’s will be guided by our values and our purpose to feed and foster communities across the globe.”
