Vkusno i Tochka doesn't think McDonald's will return to Russia
McDonald's top management is not in contact with the management of Vkusno i Tochka, the corporation does not plan to return to Russia and is unlikely to do so. This was stated in an interview with RBC by Alexander Govor, owner of the Vkusno i Tochka chain, which bought the American fast food business in 2022.
"Currently we see no signs of a return. No matter how many times we reach out to them to talk — and after all, we once worked together — they are forbidden from talking to us. There is absolutely no contact," he said.
Govor reckoned it would hardly be profitable right now for McDonald's to return. "It's an option. We have certain agreements with them, and they are signed. I had to meet certain commitments within a two year period, and I did in a year and a half — six months earlier," he said, declining to identify what the commitments were.
Govor believes McDonald's is unlikely to return because Russian consumers have already grown to like Vkusno i Tochka. "If we remove Vkusno i Tochka and put McDonald's there now, there won't be the same footfall, perhaps out of principle. . . They let us down. They aren't the ones who stayed by our side when things were bad. And when things get better, will they come back to make money?" he said.
Nevertheless, if McDonald does express a desire to return, "we will work within the legal framework," Govor said.
During a meeting with business people in May 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised assistance to the management of the Vkusno i Tochka restaurant chain in resolving issues related to McDonald's possible return to Russia.