Ukraine crisis: Which major Western fast food chains are still open in Russia?
Watch: McDonald's, Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Starbucks close Russia locations
The Ukraine crisis has seen many major brands suspend operation in Russia – including several fast food chains.
Following widespread criticism, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald’s have joined others by halting business in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
The three major brands all announced the move within hours of each other on Tuesday.
In a statement posted to its website, Starbucks announced it is “suspending all business activity in Russia”.
Starbucks chief executive Kevin Johnson said in a statement posted on the website that the company condemns “the horrific attacks on Ukraine by Russia and our hearts go out to all those affected”.
It came just hours after McDonald’s announced the temporary closure of all restaurants in Russia in 850 different communities.
However, some major fast food chains with stores in Russia appear to still be operating, with no immediate mention of halting business on company websites.
They are:
Burger King – 550 stores
Domino’s Pizza – 121 stores as of 2017
Papa John’s – 197 stores as of 2019
Subway – 450 stores
Dunkin’ Donuts – Around 20 stores
KFC and Pizza Hut also have stores open in Russia but parent company Yum Brands Inc said they were finalising an agreement to suspend all Pizza Hut restaurant operations in Russia.
Seventy company-owned KFC stores are also set to close, while investment in Russia is set to be paused.
However, with at least 1,000 KFC stores in Russia, many will remain open but the majority are owned and operated independently through franchise agreements, meaning the company has significantly less control on closing those stores.
Yum Brands said in a statement: "Like so many across the world, we are shocked and saddened by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine.
"Yum Brands has suspended all investment and restaurant development in Russia while we continue to assess additional options."
Similarly, Restaurant Brands International Inc, the parent company of Burger King, said that their more than 800 restaurants remain open in Russia as they are owned and operated by local franchisees.
A spokesperson for the company told Yahoo News UK that Burger King has committed $3m to immediately support Ukrainian refugees.
They added: “We are watching the attack on Ukraine and its people with horror and are focusing our efforts in the region on contributing to the safety of Ukrainians seeking shelter and security for their families.”
A Subway spokesperson told Yahoo News UK that their Russian restaurants are "independently owned and operated by local franchisees" but the company are "redirecting any profits from operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts supporting Ukrainians who have been affected by the war".
A spokesperson for Papa Johns said they were "actively supporting humanitarian efforts through financial contributions" and they have "suspended all corporate operations in Russia".
They added that all restaurants in Russia are owned by independent franchisees but the company has "ceased all operational, marketing and business support to, and engagement with, the Russian market".
The spokesperson added: "Papa John’s International is not currently receiving any royalties from these franchised stores in Russia."
Domino's and Dunkin' Donuts have been contacted for comment.
In an article shared to the McDonald’s website on Tuesday – which was originally sent to employees and franchisees by email – CEO Chris Kempczinski said: “The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people.”
Kempczinski said it would continue to pay the 62,000 employees in Russia although the company “cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine”.
