Russia Becomes a Magnet for U.S. Fast-Food Chains

“The bottom line is the opportunity is here."

"American fast food has been going global for years, of course. And China and India continue to be big expansion markets. But lately, the industry is finding a growing appetite for its fare in Russia — not only pizza, but Burger King’s Whoppers, Cinnabon’s Classic Rolls and Subway’s barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, among others."

“As consumers have more disposable income they will spend it on fast food,” Jack Russo, a fast-food industry analyst at Edward Jones, said in a telephone interview. He compares the market here to the United States half a century ago."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/04/business/global/russia-becomes-a-magnet-for-american-fast-food-chains.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&ref=todayspaper

By ANDREW E. KRAMER - Published: August 3, 2011 - The New York Times