Savvy Russians Are Selling The Last McDonald's In The Country For Eye-Watering Prices
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McDonald's has officially closed its 850 restaurants in Russia, but that doesn't mean a Big Mac if off the menu.
Russians swooped in to get their grubby mitts on one final nugget before Macca's shut across the country.
While many would have savoured every last bite, others thought they would use this as a chance to make a quick buck.
Some people who snapped up the last few McDonald's meals have started selling them online for disgustingly inflated prices.
If you wanted a meal with two burgers, two drinks, and a cherry pie, you could buy it online for a casual 7,500 rubles (AUD$84 or £46).
Buy while it's hot
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 8, 2022
After McDonald's announcement that they were leaving #Russia, people have already started selling their supplies on Internet. pic.twitter.com/DtoWbuZ1If
If you fancied a cup of Coca-Cola, which has also pulled out of Russia after Putin's continued assault on Ukraine, then that will set you back 1,500 rubles (AUD$15 or £8).
Meanwhile, another seller listed a four burger dinner meal with nuggets and dipping sauce for a whopping 45,000 rubles (AUD$450 or £250).
The not-so Happy Meals were snapped up in the final hours of McDonald's Russia being open, with desperate people lining up for nearly a kilometre to get their hands on one last burger.
Video footage appeared on social media that showed car after car lining up in a Moscow drive-thru.
People in Moscow waiting in line for McDonald's after they announced they would be closing all 847 locations in Russia. #RussiaUkraineCrisis #McDonalds #Moscow pic.twitter.com/CozmFpmexX
— 🇺🇦 (@UkraineLiveNews) March 9, 2022
McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Kempczinski confirmed the news that it would be closing all restaurants in Russia in a message on social media.
In the email, shared on Twitter, Kempczinski said the temporary closure of 850 restaurants and a pause of all operations in Russia was for the 'unspeakable suffering to innocent people' in Ukraine.
He added: "The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people. As a System, we join the world in condemning aggression and violence and praying for peace.
"Our number one priority from the start of this crisis has been – and will remain – our people."
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
Kempczinski went on to state McDonald's has 'provided immediate financial support to our team in Ukraine', and that it is continuing to pay full salaries for Ukrainian employees as the conflict continues to unfold.
The company has also donated $5 million to its Employee Assistance Fund, and supports 'relief efforts led by the International Red Cross in the region'.
The announcement came after the fast food company faced pressure to pull out of Russia from people online, who used the hashtag #BoycottMcDonalds on social media.
