Starbucks And Coca-Cola Join Corporate Boycott By Suspending Operations In Russia

Starbucks and Coca-Cola have announced they will cease operations in Russia by joining the swelling ranks of corporations boycotting the country following Putin's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

It's been a tough day for Russian fast food lovers.

The news came only hours after fast food giant McDonald's revealed they would shut all 850 stores across the country until further notice.

Starbucks has about 130 locations across Russia and Ukraine, and employs around 2,000 people.

CEO Kevin Johnson says Starbucks will provide support for their workers, but all shipments of products will cease and all branches will temporarily close.

“We condemn the unprovoked, unjust and horrific attacks on Ukraine by Russia, and our hearts go out to all those affected,” Mr Johnson said.

He condemned the Russia war effort in a letter posted to social media.

In a separate letter released last week, Johnson vowed to donate royalties from its Russian business to humanitarian causes in the besieged nation.

“We condemn the unprovoked, unjust and horrific attacks on Ukraine by Russia, and our hearts go out to all those affected,” he said.

Coca-Cola has echoed Starbucks' move and has released a statement similarly condemning the assault on Ukraine.

“Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine,” Coca-Cola said.

“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve.”

While Starbucks shuttering stores might not have a major impact on the business - their Russian and Ukrainian stores make up less than one per cent of their global revenue - it is a significant hit for Coca-Cola.

The company has a significant business presence in Russia, including bottling plants.

But they weren't the only symbols of American consumerism to halt trading in Russia this week.

McDonald's revealed they would stop asking Russians 'would you like fries with that' by shutting all their 850 stores until further notice.

As a result, Russians have been sent into fast-food overdrive with lines stretching for nearly a kilometre as McDonalds prepares to close up.

The closures could spell a massive financial hit for McDonald's.

Recent filings revealed that restaurants in Russia and Ukraine contributed 9 per cent of its annual revenue or about $2.8 billion.

Featured Image Credit: Matteo Lodrini/Andrew Aitchison/Alamy Stock Photo

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

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.

@rlangjournalist