Starbucks to leave Russia after 15 years

Starbucks will exit the Russian market after nearly 15 years, the corporation announced today.

The coffee chain has 130 stores in Russia and nearly 2,000 employees – who will continue to be paid over the next six months, as the corporation stated it will continue supporting its Russian staff.

All Starbucks stores in Russia were temporarily closed in March as all of its business activity was suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The move follows fast-food giant McDonald’s permanently leaving Russia after 30 years and selling all of its 850 outlets to a local buyer, marking the exit of some of the biggest Western brands from Russian markets.

Starbucks, which opened its first Russian branch in 2007, did not provide any details on the financial impact of the exit on the company.