McDonald’s announced its reopening of Ukrainian stores after closing their operations in the country almost half a year ago at the start of the Russian invasion.
The Big Mac company said it continued to pay the salaries of over 10,000 employees while regional stores were shut, and “countless members” of the McDonald’s system assisted with refugee local efforts.
McDonald’s commented the decision was made after speaking to employees who wanted to return to work, and would be reopening stores in safe regions in across Ukraine.
The company said it aimed to support the local economy and “support a small but important sense of normalcy.”
The brand added it would institute a “phased plan” to reopen restaurants in Kyiv and western Ukraine, where other businesses have safely resumed business.
McDoland’s confirmed it would be working with suppliers and employees over the next few months to get operations up and running again.
“As we prepare to serve our Ukrainian customers again, we will be guided by our values and our purpose to feed and foster the communities we serve. Thank you for your support.,” said McDonald’s in a statement.