“The holy place is never empty” – and perhaps soon instead of the usual, but closed due to the sanctions of “McDonald’s” and “KFC”, Russian tourists traveling to Russia will eat Turkish fast food, the most famous dishes of which – doner (shawarma) of fried chicken. At least Turkish restaurant companies are already actively taking the initiative.
According to Bulat Shakirov, chairman of the Union of Shopping Centers (ed. I wonder what else will be in addition to shawarma in these shopping centers), the owners of Russian shopping centers – by the way, in this business “investment” of Turkish capital is not uncommon but a mass trend – Negotiations with the Turkish fast food chain Chitir Chicken have started. The network is developing in 17 countries around the world and is ready to consider work in Russia.
The first stage, as discussed by the parties, may be the launch of 5-10 own Chitir Chicken establishments. The creation of a network of franchise partners with 500-600 restaurants is estimated in the future,” the expert said. They want to start the network, logically, in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and even cities with a population of millions, in particular in Kazan, Volgograd, Samara and Yekaterinburg.
“One of the main advantages of the network is the work with Turkish equipment, which does not depend on sanctions and has not jumped significantly in price. Next week, representatives of Chitir Chicken and managers of Russian shopping centers may sign cooperation agreements and lease agreements. The company will need about three or four weeks to repair the premises in Russia and to import everything necessary to start work,” Shakirov said.
He also added that the Turkish fast food will be given the “green light” by the Union of Shopping Centers and the RSPP – they are ready to discuss the issue of state support for the Turkish company in Russia at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. In particular, it may be the establishment of preferential customs duties and loans for the opening of a new partner of the shopping center, as well as the allocation of grants.
Currently, the Chitir Chicken network operates, as already mentioned, in 17 countries, including neighboring Kazakhstan. Judging by the range, they are ready to replace both McDonald’s and KFC, the range includes a variety of burgers and chicken products. “Hamburger Index” is not budget – translated into Russian money, the cost of an ordinary burger – about 230 rubles ($2,5).