This Photo Is Old and Unrelated to McDonald’s Decision to Leave Russia
The Claim
The photo shows hundreds of Russians lining up in front of McDonald's to purchase their final meal before the fast-food chain leaves Russia permanently.
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Emerging story
A photo of a crowded street in front of a McDonald's restaurant has gone viral on social media, with users claiming it depicts Russians waiting for their final meal before the brand leaves the country.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar has investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The circulating photo is outdated. It depicts the first McDonald's restaurant in Moscow, which opened in January 1990.
McDonald’s Opening in Moscow
On the morning of January 31, 1990, a large crowd gathered in Pushkinsklaya square to sample the McDonald's burger on the opening day of the first branch in the Soviet Union, after the brand received permission to operate on Soviet territory.
According to reports, the restaurant served over 30,000 customers on its first day. And people waited in line for more than 6 hours to try this "abnormal food."
McDonald’s To Leave Russia
According to the BBC, the fast-food giant has recently announced that it will leave Russia permanently after more than 30 years. The burger chain also announced that it has begun to sell its restaurants after closing its 850 locations in March.
McDonald's said it made the decision due to the "humanitarian crisis" and "unpredictable operating environment" caused by the war, and that it would seek a buyer who could employ its 62,000 workers in Russia and pay them until the deal closed.
