Russian McDonald's Spinoff Sets Sights on Kazakhstan Market

Jan. 16, 2023

The Vkusno i Tochka logo seen on Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow Moskva News Agency

The owner of the rebranded Russian McDonald’s is seeking to expand into Kazakhstan, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported Monday.

The U.S. fast food giant sold its Russian business to a local licensee in May 2022 in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The rebranded McDonald’s, Vkusno i Tochka (“Tasty — and that’s it”), opened in July.

Vkusno i Tochka has applied for trademark registration in Kazakhstan after McDonald’s pulled out of Russia’s Central Asian neighbor this month, RIA Novosti reported, citing the Kazakhstan Justice Ministry.

"Applications for registration of trademarks … are under consideration," Kazakhstan’s Justice Ministry said.

McDonald’s exit from Kazakhstan has been attributed to disruptions to meat supplies from Russia caused by the invasion of Ukraine.

Asset Mashanov, the managing director of McDonald's Kazakhstan, said last week that the company was not considering operating under the Vkusno i Tochka brand.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue