It's 30 years now since the great American leader, named Ronald, started the process that led to the fall of communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Yes, 30 years ago, the first Soviet McDonald's restaurant opened in Moscow.
Here are some fun facts about this event.
Yes, 30 years ago, the first Soviet McDonald's restaurant opened in Moscow.
Here are some fun facts about this event.
* Actually, the first McDonald's was opened by a Canadian, not an American businessman, George Cohon. It took him 10 years to sign the Soviet authorities off on this.
* The Soviet franchise couldn't sell the Big'N'Tasty because tomatoes weren't available in the USSR year-round.
* The Soviet franchise couldn't sell the Big'N'Tasty because tomatoes weren't available in the USSR year-round.
* Soviet potatoes weren't big enough for McDonald's French Fries. They had to import them from Belgium and hire a person to measure them with a ruler.
* The Big Mac was 3.75 rubles. The average Soviet engineer made about 150 rubles a month.
* The Big Mac was 3.75 rubles. The average Soviet engineer made about 150 rubles a month.
* Soviet beef was unsuited for McDonald's hamburgers. They had to raise a special breed of cows just for McDonald's.
* The biggest concern was hiring employees who could be convinced to smile and be somewhat polite. Or at least not treat customers as enemy invaders, as was nornal
* The biggest concern was hiring employees who could be convinced to smile and be somewhat polite. Or at least not treat customers as enemy invaders, as was nornal
* The lines to the first Moscow McDonald's were so long, people made a lot of money by selling their place. Famously, several people who met in the McDonald's line got to know each other well enough to strike up a relationship and get married.
* Since ketchup is considered an abnormally spicy condiment in Russia the consumption of which is bound to boil the blood and turn one's thoughts into sedition, it's sold separately, with a surcharge for every packet.
* While McDonald's had to sacrifice the Big'N'Tasty, it wouldn't budge on the apple pies, despite the fact that Soviet apples were only available seasonally. Fortunately, they managed to have them imported from Bulgaria.
* The Moscow McDonald's was at the time the biggest in the world. Its location, on the Pushkin Square, next to the monument of the great Russian poet, was controversial for "desecrating Pushkin's memory."
Since Pushkin, obviously, vigorously opposed food?
Since Pushkin, obviously, vigorously opposed food?
* Before opening the restaurant, the Soviets attempted to prepare the public for the shock by airing a segment in a political TV show in which McDonald's was described as a convenient, cheap working-class eatery with good food.
They were flooded by angry mail from True Believers.
They were flooded by angry mail from True Believers.
