Russian McDonald's successor to open in Belarus on Nov 22

MINSK. Nov 17 (Interfax) - Vkusno i Tochka, the successor of McDonald's in Russia, will start operating in Belarus on November 22.

The Russian company said on November 11 that it was finalizing the transfer of the exclusive rights to the franchise contract for the Belarusian fast food chain managed by KSB Victory Restaurants.

KSB Victory Restaurants said in a statement that its outlets would operate under the McDonald's brand in Belarus for the last time on November 21. "On that day, our doors will be open to visitors until 18:00. But as soon as November 22, we will be happy to welcome you again in all the restaurants of our network already under the new brand - Vkusno i Tochka," the company said.

There are currently 25 McDonald's fast food restaurants in six cities in Belarus that serve more than 10 million guests annually.

McDonald's Corp. shut its outlets in Russia on March 14 and said it was leaving the Russian market on May 16. The new owner of the Russian business is Alexander Govor, who had operated 25 of the restaurants in Siberia on a franchise basis since 2015. His company, Club Hotel LLC, received a 100% stake in PBO System LLC, formerly McDonald's LLC, and in DVRP LLC, through McDonald's was developing the chain in the Russian Far East.

The restaurants in Russia started to reopen on June 12 under the Vkusno i Tochka brand, which translates as Tasty and That's It.

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