Pressure mounts on KFC to shutter its 1,000 Russian restaurants

Many major companies with US ties suspend operations in Russia over Ukranian invasion.

With numerous companies based out of the United States stepping up to the plate in support of the Russian boycott KFC is the latest to make its intentions known being the only significant US-owned fast food chain still operating in Russia, after its rivals announced plans to suspend business there indefinitely.

KFC is owned by Yum! Brands, a Louisville, Kentucky-headquartered operation which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and whose CEO David Gibbs has been with the company since 1989. Yum! also operates 50 Pizza Hut locations across Russia. Yum claims that because many of the locations are franchised that those licensing arrangements would make it difficult to unilaterally shutter its operations in Putin's Russia.

Coca-Cola an Atlanta-based company, which has a huge presence in Russia through a licensed partner that operates 10 bottling plants there, said in a statement that it is suspending all business with Russia indefinitely That same sentiment was echoed by their main competitor PepsiCo who in a released statement claimed Pepsi, one of the first Western products that was allowed in the former Soviet Union, will no longer be sold in Russia, they will however continue the sale of essential items such as baby formula.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson also confirmed in a note to global staff that the iconic coffee chain would be closing its 130 locations in Russia and halting all sales, but it will continue to pay its 2,000 employees there. All the shuttered cafes are run by licensed owner-operators, rather than by the Seattle-based coffee giant itself.

McDonald's also said it will close its 850 locations in Russia, but will also continue paying its 62,000 employees there 'who have poured their heart and soul into our McDonald's brand.'

None of these iconic brands who have shuttered Russian operations have given any indication as to when they may resume business. But most likely that may not occur for quite a while as Russian President Vladamir Putin has his eyes on advancing his ambitions in Ukraine.