McDonald’s is temporarily closing all 850 of its stores in Russia, following mounting criticism that it failed to act quickly following the invasion of Ukraine.
The company will continue paying its 62,000 employees in Russia, CEO Chris Kempczinski said in a letter. McDonald’s has also temporarily closed its 100 locations in Ukraine and continues to pay its employees there.
The suspension of operations marks a historic reversal for the fast-food giant, which has become a face of globalized business.