Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, March 9: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and GE – the worldwide brands and emblems of US corporate strength – have all indicated that their operations in Russia will be temporarily halted in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine,” McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said in an open letter to employees.
We will be temporarily closing all restaurants and pausing all operations in Russia. Click to read the message from our CEO in its entirety: https://t.co/ncoB2A8GC6
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) March 8, 2022
The Chicago-based burger chain said it will close 850 outlets temporarily but will continue to pay its 62,000 Russian employees who have poured their heart and soul into our McDonald’s brand.
“The situation is extraordinarily challenging for a global brand like ours, and there are many considerations,” Kempczinski wrote in the letter.
Starbucks announced last Friday that proceeds from its 130 Russian outlets, which are owned and run by Kuwait-based franchisee Alshaya Group, would be donated to humanitarian assistance efforts in Ukraine. However, on Tuesday, the firm announced that those outlets will be temporarily closed. Starbucks’ 2,000 Russian employees will continue to be paid by Alshaya Group, according to Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson in an open letter to staff.
Coca-Cola Co. declared that its operations in Russia will be suspended, but provided little information. Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co., based in Switzerland, controls ten bottling operations in Russia, which is its largest market. Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. is owned by Coke, which owns a 21% share. Both PepsiCo and GE announced partial shutdowns of their Russian operations. PepsiCo, based in Purchase, New York, has announced that it will halt beverage sales in Russia. Any capital investments and promotional efforts will likewise be halted.
The Coca-Cola company suspends its business in Russia stating, "Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine."#UkraineRussianWar pic.twitter.com/6i5upBMGts
— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2022
However, the firm stated that it will continue to make milk, baby formula, and baby food in order to maintain its 20,000 Russian employees as well as the 40,000 Russian agricultural workers who operate in its supply chain.
