Major global companies, including PepsiCo and McDonald’s, are under growing pressure to quit doing business in Russia as Vladimir Putin continues his country’s war on Ukraine.
Apple halted sales in Russia, Nike and Ikea closed their stores in the country, and Mastercard and Visa suspended their services there. But some large companies, such as PepsiCo, have made no statements condemning the war and have continued business as usual.
McDonald’s had not said whether the food giant would continue business in Russia amid the war — until Tuesday afternoon, when the company released a statement saying it will temporarily close all restaurants in Russia and pause all operations in the market.
“In Russia, we employ 62,000 people who have poured their hearts and souls into our McDonald’s brand to serve their communities,” the company said. “At the same time, our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine.
“Years ago, when confronted with his own difficult decision, [former CEO] Fred Turner explained his approach quite simply: ‘Do the right thing.’ That philosophy is enshrined as one of our five guiding values, and there are countless examples over the years of McDonald’s Corporation living up to Fred’s simple ideal,” the statement continued. “Today is also one of those days.” Continue Reading
In a message shared to employees and franchisees, CEO Chris Kempczinski shared that McDonald's will temporarily close all restaurants and pause all operations in Russia. Click to read the message in its entirety. https://t.co/g8BXaKxvNj pic.twitter.com/6jt0NnYhKz
— McDonald's Corporation (@McDonaldsCorp) March 8, 2022