Big Mac still sold in Russia despite McDonald’s departure from the country

The Big Mac sandwich continues to be sold in some of the locations where McDonald’s franchises operated in Russia, although most of the restaurants that opened on Sunday are under new brands and owners.

McDonald’s sold most of its 850 restaurants in Russia to one of its local licensees in May. Some of them reopened on Sunday under the new name Vkusno & tochka, or “Delicious and that’s it,” offering a new menu without the iconic sandwich.

But other franchisees have kept their establishments open, selling authentic McDonald’s meals at McDonald’s-branded restaurants virtually visible.

The lingering presence of fast food outlets underscores the challenges Western companies will face in completely extricating themselves from the Russian market because of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.

The McDonald’s name and logo was covered with transparent white fabric at train stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and the Big Mac burger was available, although it was rebranded as Bolshoi Burger or Big Burger.