Operations

Brand that took over Russian McDonald's to enter Kazakhstan?

McDonald's ceased operations in Russia last year after the country invaded Ukraine. Adobe Stock photo.

January 18, 2023

The Russian company that bought out McDonald's in its homeland may be headed for Kazakhstan. Vkusno & Tochka (which translates to "tasty and that's it") has applied for a trademark in Kazakhstan, according to a Business Insider report.

Vkusno & tochka is owned by Alexander Govor and took over McDonald's operations after the Chicago-based burger chain exited Russia following the country's invasion of Ukraine. Govor purchased 800 operating McDonald's and transferred them over to Vkusno & tochka.

In Kazakhstan, McDonald's and its franchisee Food Solutions KZ shut down operations in November citing supply shortages. Its contract with the franchisee has been terminated after McDonald's forbade Food Solutions from buying supplies from Russia.

"The licensee in Kazakhstan will stop operating as McDonald's and the restaurants will no longer carry the McDonald's name or serve our menu. The licensee is working to transition all 24 restaurants, including employees, to a new brand," McDonald's told Business Insider in a statement.

Tengrinews, a Kazakh news outlet, reported that Food Solutions' director said the company didn't plan to rebrand its restaurants as Vkusno & tochka.