Russians Rush To Get One Final McDonald's Before More Than 800 Restaurants Close

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Russians Rush To Get One Final McDonald's Before More Than 800 Restaurants Close

The fast-food giant revealed it will close every single restaurant in Russia to protest Putin's invasion into Ukraine.

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang

Russians have scrambled to their nearest McDonald's restaurant for one final meal before all the Golden Arches in the country close.

Lines are stretching for nearly a kilometre outside some Macca's places as many are desperate for one last Big Mac.

Video footage is appearing on social media that shows car after car lining up in a Moscow drive-thru.

Other photos show desperate Russians lining up around the block on foot, waiting it out in blisteringly cold temperatures for a cheeky Big Mac.

McDonald's has revealed all 850 restaurants in Russia will temporarily close from March 8. 

The announcement comes after the fast food company faced pressure from social media users to pull out of Russia after the hashtag #BoycottMcDonalds went viral.

Some savvy Russians have also been snapping up the last-remaining burgers so they can sell the food online.

They're flogging cheeseburgers, drinks and Happy Meals for grossly inflated prices.

One person wanted 40,000 rubles (AUD$422/£234) for a selection of three burgers.

As images surface online of the mad rush for Maccas, some are comparing it to the bedlam that broke out when McDonalds first opened in Russia in 1990.

Many people criticised McDonald's, along with other food and drinks firms such as KFC, Starbucks and Coca-Cola, for continuing to operate in Russia after it invaded Ukraine.

McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kempczinski confirmed the news that it would be closing in a message on social media.

The CEO noted there are 'many considerations' to take into account including the 62,000 employees in Russia who have 'poured their heart and soul into our McDonald’s brand to serve their communities'.

Kempczinski assured McDonald's employees in Russia will continue to receive their salary and that the company is prepared to support 'all three legs of the stool in Ukraine and Russia'.

The company will continue monitoring the situation in Ukraine to determine 'if any additional measures are required'.

Although the CEO said it is currently 'impossible to predict' when operations may restart in Russia.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/nexta_tv/Helen Sessions/Alexander Blinov / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: News, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, McDonalds

Rachel Lang
Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang is a Digital Journalist at LADbible. During her career, she has interviewed Aussie PM Malcolm Turnbull in the lead up to the 2016 federal election, ran an editorial campaign on the war in Yemen, and reported on homelessness in the lead-up to Harry and Meghan’s wedding in Windsor. She also once wrote a yarn on the cheese and wine version of Fyre Festival.

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