McDonald’s announces reopening of some restaurants in Ukraine
McDonald’s, the fast food giant, announced on Thursday the gradual reopening of some of its restaurants in Ukraine, kyiv and the west of the country. These establishments had closed on February 24 during the invasion of the country by the Russian army.
In a letter from CEO Paul Pomroy, sent to employees and published on Thursday, the group explains that it made this decision “following extensive consultations and discussions with Ukrainian officials, suppliers and security specialists, and taking into account the demand for our employees to return to work”. “We spoke at length to our employees who expressed a strong desire to return to work and see our restaurants in Ukraine reopen, where it is safe and responsible to do so”specifies the boss of McDonald’s.
“In recent months, the belief that this would support a small but important sense of normalcy has grown stronger. And Ukrainian officials have indicated that businesses resuming operations will support the local economy and the Ukrainian people.”he added.
The decision was hailed on Facebook by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba: “Mac is coming back. » “The return of a large American company is above all a signal for international companies regarding the possibility of working in Ukraine, despite the war”did he declare. “These are workplaces, taxes for Ukraine’s budget and the survival of our economy in times of Russian aggression. It is also part of the recovery of Ukraine”underlined Mr. Kuleba.
McDonald’s teams go like this, “over the next few months”start working with suppliers, but also prepare the stores, “bring restaurant teams and employees back to the site”. They will also work on “implement enhanced procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of our staff and customers”.
The margins of the fast food chain had been dented in the second quarter by the closures of restaurants in Ukraine, but also in Russia. The group’s net profit had fallen by 46% to $1.2 billion.