The owner of “Vkusno – and that’s it” told about the plans of McDonald’s to return to Russia

When selling a business in Russia, the owners of the McDonald’s network expected to return to the market if conditions changed; the deal provided for the possibility of a buyback. About this in an interview with TASS informed Alexander Govor, owner of the Vkusno-i Tochka restaurant chain.

“Those who made the decision on behalf of the corporation had their own logic. To be honest, if I were them, I would have chosen me too. Already showed himself as a partner, knew the system from the inside. What is McDonald’s reason to risk with a dark horse? They made no secret of the fact that they expected to return to Russia if circumstances changed, so they wanted to be sure that the business would not fall apart,” he said.

According to Govor, in the event of a return, McDonald’s management will have to buy out the business for the money that was invested in it by Russian entrepreneurs. In addition, as part of the deal, the parties agreed that Govor would retain a controlling stake in the company.

In addition, Govor stressed that if McDonald’s returns, the Russian business will not change, since it will be the first contender for a master franchisee. “So, even if McDonald’s returns, most likely, the master franchisees will give me, and I will work as before, but not only in Siberia, but throughout Russia. Fine. This is a modern market,” Govor added.

McDonald’s closed its restaurants in Russia in March 2022, and two months later the company announced its final withdrawal from the Russian market. At the same time, the company announced the sale of the network in Russia to the local licensee Alexander Govor. On June 12, the first 15 restaurants of the former American fast food were reopened in Russia under the Vkusno – i dot brand.