Russian McDonald's successor enters Belarusian market

MOSCOW. Nov 11 (Interfax) - Vkusno i Tochka, the successor of McDonald's in Russia, is finalizing the process of taking over the exclusive rights to the franchise contract for the Belarusian fast food chain managed by KSB Victory Restaurants, the Russian company said in a press release.

"Until the transfer, the chain will continue to operate under the McDonald's brand on the Belarusian market. The company will begin working on the new brand a few weeks after all the necessary legal procedures are completed and organizational issues are resolved," the company said.

There are currently 25 fast food restaurants in six cities in Belarus that serve more than 10 million guest annually.

"The decision to continue working as a franchisee of Vkusno i Tochka will enable the company to preserve more than 2,000 jobs and continue to fulfill all previously assumed obligations to employees. The restaurants will maintain their current concept of service, as well as the high standards of quality and work to which the chain's guests are accustomed," the company said.

The company also said that in the six months since it acquired the McDonald's chain in Russia it has "fully established the supply chain and adapted logistics for the smooth operation of all the chain's restaurants on the Russian market."

"As before, all suppliers meet the high requirements for quality and standards established at the chain's restaurants. Thanks to this, the company will be able to ensure purchases of all the necessary products and equipment for the future operation of the chain on the Belarusian market and guests can be confident that the taste and quality of products will remain unchanged," the company said.

"The signing of the franchise agreement is a very important step for our company. We are essentially entering a market that is new for us," Vkusno i Tochka owner Alexander Govor was quoted as saying in the press release.

"We plan to work effectively with our franchisees so as to expand the business," he added.

The Vkusno i Tochka chain has a presence in 62 Russian regions. The company has resumed operations across the country, reopening more than 830 restaurants.