Golden Arches To Franchise In Russia

McDonald’s Corp. is taking its American franchise model to Russia. The Oak Brook, Ill., chain, which relies heavily on franchises in more mature markets, has been expanding in Russia through self-operated stores only. Now, under a new partnership agreement with the Moscow holding company Rosinter, McDonald’s will franchise in Russia for the first time.

The agreement with Rosinter is aimed at "growth and expansion,” Khamzat Khasbulatov, McDonald’s Russia president, told Reuters. "If this model proves successful, we will start to spread it around. We are looking at a long-term perspective," he said. The test project will see Rosinter open McDonald’s restaurants in airports and railway stations, said Khasbulatov. It plans to open 40-45 new self-operated locations each year. McDonald’s has opened 314 stores in Russia since it debuted in Moscow in 1990.

Rosinter also operates the T.G.I. Friday’s franchise in Russia.