Finland's Hesburger fast food chain to close all restaurants in Russia, Belarus by end of summer

ST. PETERSBURG. March 29 (Interfax) - The Finnish chain of fast food restaurants, Hesburger, plans to close all its restaurants in Russia and Belarus by the end of this summer, the chain's press service reported.

"We are well aware that the slow exit from the Russian and Belarusian markets has caused controversy. The restaurants need to be closed. We will do our best to close the doors of the restaurants in Russia as soon as possible. The goal is to close all restaurants in Russia and Belarus in the summer," the press service quoted Hesburger CEO Kari Salmela as saying.

According to Salmela, the decision to leave the Russian market was taken because of the situation in Ukraine.

According to Hesburger's information, the chain currently has 38 restaurants in Russia, and four in Belarus.