McDonald’s to appeal after three more branches shut down in Russia

Russian courts on Wednesday ordered the temporary closure of three McDonald’s restaurants in Moscow over breaches of sanitary rules, amid a standoff with the West over Ukraine. The restaurants on Moscow’s Manezh square, under the walls of the Kremlin, at Pushkin Square and on Prospect Mira have been closed since last week following an order from state food safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. Rospotrebnadzor has so far ordered the temporary closure of a total of five McDonald’s restaurants in Russia.

We do not agree with the courts’ decisions and will appeal them according to established procedures.

Spokeswoman for McDonald’s in Russia

Russian businessmen have said the crackdown is linked to the crisis over Ukraine, which has soured U.S.-Russian relations and led to a round of sanctions and trade restrictions. The food safety watchdog has denied that its actions are politically motivated. McDonald’s said it would appeal the Wednesday’s rulings.

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