By ALMATY. Jan 5 (Interfax) – A Kazakh fast-food restaurant chain run by Food Solutions KZ will cease operating under the McDonald’s brand in Kazakhstan, the company said in a statement on Thursday.
"Resumption of operations and the opening dates of new fast-food restaurants under a new name will be announced shortly. We will reply to questions of your interest relating to our company’s continued work after the transition date," the statement said.
The chain will cease to operate under the McDonald’s brand due to supply issues, it said.
Kazakhstan’s first McDonald’s restaurant opened in 2016.
It was reported that from November 18 all McDonald’s restaurants in Kazakhstan shut down temporarily due to local supply constraints. The situation is being further compounded by the fate of a McDonald’s franchisee, Kairat Boranbayev, arrested in mid-March for suspected embezzlement.
Food Solutions KZ (McDonald’s in Kazakhstan) was in talks with domestic poultry and beef producers.
Food Solutions KZ has operated in the country for over six years. The company has 24 McDonald’s restaurants in Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aktobe, Kostanay and Karaganda, and employs around 2,000 staff.
