American fast food still fueling Russia?

[BlueWavePsych]

Ukraine update: Why is American fast food still fueling Russia?

At this point, the list of U.S. and European companies that have ceased all operations in Russia is almost too long to print. The big names in retail are out. The big names in technology are out. Automakers are out. Airlines are out. And naturally financial firms are all the way gone — including accounting firm Accenture, which waved bye to 2,300 Russian employees earlier this week.

But not everyone is out. KFC and McDonald’s have nearly 1,900 outlets still operating across Russia. While those fast food providers seem to be worried about becoming targets of anti-American sentiment in Russia, they don’t seem to be interested in closing their doors. They’re not alone. As of Friday morning, Burger King, Subway, Papa John’s, and Domino’s were also continuing to operate outlets in Russia. McDonald's alone raked in $2.1 billion in Russia and Ukraine last year, accounting for 9% of total revenue. The one thing McDonald’s doesn’t seem to be doing, is thinking about depriving Moscow of Big Macs.

Not only are Russians not currently any sanction on greasy calories (though it would be interesting to check on pizza prices at the moment), they’re also getting plenty to wash it down with. That’s because Coca-Cola is also among the companies still operating at full speed in Russia. Even though Republican Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Georgia would join other states in divesting from Russia, Atlanta’s favorite caramel-colored syrup keeps pumping.

If you’re thinking maybe your family should switch to the other guys, know that Pepsi is there, too. And you can’t escape by moving to the caffeinated hard stuff, Starbuck’s is also still serving up lattes to folks hurrying to keep their appointment at the other end of Vladimir Putin’s 40-foot table. No word on any special flavors they may be providing.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/3/4/2083902/-Ukraine-update-Why-is-American-fast-food-still-fueling-Russia

Cease operations in Russia or face a BOYCOTT

[Wingus Dingus]

1. I think they should stop operations--but leave the Papa John's there--

that's punishment in and of itself.

[secondwind]

2. What about ordinary Russians with families?

Groceries are not available everywhere, they might need to go to a fast food place.

[mwooldri]

3. Hmmm.... Fatten em up?

But then they'll have problems operating sooner or later.

[sarisataka]

4. It is actually our secret fallback plan

To kill them slowly

[doc03]

5. Keeping McDonald's, KFC and the rest will kill

off Russians over time.

[gab13by13]

6. Sanctions are sanctions,

If those companies are violating the rules of the sanctions they should shut down, once exceptions are made it screws up the purpose.

[relayerbob]

7. I'd boycott those companies

But I haven't consumed much, if any, of their swill in many years

[grumpyduck]

8. Hmmm... those companies may also be affected

by supply chains going over, unless they have their own producers.

[bluedigger]

9. All those places are franchise businesses.

Even local Coke and Pepsi plants are usually franchised. I doubt they can be forced to close their doors, and their product is probably local sourced right down to the paper goods. All they can really do is cut off support. Nike closed their stores, but they probably own those .