The American fast food chain McDonald's, which left the Russian market in the spring of 2022, is unlikely to exercise its option to buy back its Russian business.
“My personal opinion: I don't think it's even profitable today. It's an option. We have certain agreements with them; they're signed. I had to fulfill my obligations within two years“, said Alexander Govor, the buyer of its restaurants and owner of the chain “Vkusno - I Doce“ (Tasty - Period). Govor noted that he had fulfilled these obligations earlier, within a year and a half.
According to him, the American chain does not communicate with “Vkusno - I Doce“ and is not taking steps to return to Russia. "We do not see any "intentions" to return," the businessman specified. Govorov noted that his company has repeatedly contacted McDonald's, but the American chain is "forbidden" to communicate with the Russian one. "There are absolutely no contacts," he said.
In September 2023, Govorov told TASS that the chain hopes to return to Russia if the circumstances under which it sold its business change. According to him, the asset sale deal includes the possibility of McDonald's returning to the Russian market. Govorov also specified that he had promised the representatives of the American chain that he would retain a controlling stake.