Companies and Brands

Russia's McDonald's Gets Bigger

essenstweet / Flickr

In May, McDonald’s left Russia in a protest against its invasion of Ukraine. The fast food chain has been in Russia since 1990 and has 60,000 workers. It was one of the US companies that left and gave up some substantial revenue. In its place, a Russian McDonald’s was created. Vkusno i tochka (which is Russian for Tasty and Period) used many of the exact locations.

In a McDonald’s-like move, Vkusno i tochka is about to get bigger. It has registered its tradesman to move into Kazakhstan, according to Reuters. What started as a small chain in Russia is about to get much bigger.

It is hard to say from outside Russia if Vkusno i tochka will find a customer base. Certainly, McDonald’s had one. It has become popular because of its menu, which is fairly close to that used worldwide. And its stores were its stores, similar to the ones in America. (These are the McDonald’s capitals of America.)

Vkusno i tochka is an experiment on whether Russia can replace a popular US company with one based on the same goods or services. It is not just a case of a startup that mimicked an American company. It will be evidence of how important a brand is. Does it matter whether a new and untested brand replaces a widely regarded brand?


If Vkusno i tochka works, it will be tempting for Russian owners to replace US brands that have left. As American companies exit, it may leave a large opportunity behind.

Essential Tips for Investing (Sponsored)

A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.