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McDonald’s superfans have gone as far as chaining themselves to the doors of restaurants to protest against the global food chain from closing shop in Russia but now they won’t have to go to such extreme measures for their burger fix. A fast-food franchise called Uncle Vanya has approached the Russian Federation to trademark a logo of a new franchise that’s set to replace McDonald’s in Russia.
The move comes just three days after McDonald’s announced it would be closing more than 800 of its restaurants in Russia indefinitely.
“The conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe has caused unspeakable suffering to innocent people. Our number one priority from the start of this crisis has been – and will remain – our people,” says CEO Chris Kempczinski.
Following the store closures, the Russian government has renamed all the previously McDonald’s branded restaurants as Uncle Vanya. The logo is virtually identical to the McDonald’s logo, the only difference is that the golden arch is turned on its side so it resembles a B instead of an M.
Uncle Vanya also has a similar red and yellow colour scheme and, according to their application, the fast-food joint will provide similar services as well. These include snack bars, cooking and home deliveries amongst others. However, their prices will be lower because only nationally grown ingredients will be used.
The move has caused a stir on social media, with most users far from impressed.
After the multiple USA sanctions against Russia, in particular the closing of 847 Mac Donalds in Russia.A new Russian brand was born: "Uncle Vanya". They just took the McDonalds logo and turned it 90 degrees. They sell the same thing, cheaper with Russian ingredients.
— Joel LAMIKA ? (@LamikaJoel) March 22, 2022
???????????????? pic.twitter.com/mPtV7ebkss
McDonald’s isn’t the only big brand distancing itself from the war. Other major franchises that have temporarily closed operations in Russia include Coca-Cola and Starbucks. Shell has also stopped buying oil from the European country.
The fast-food chain has not said when its operations would resume in the country, only that they would continue to monitor the situation in Russia and Ukraine. But they have, however, committed to paying the salaries of more than 60 000 staff affected by the suspension.
Sources: BusinessInsider, Forbes, NYPost
