McDonald’s menu items reportedly sold at sky-high prices online after closure in Russia

McDonald’s has officially closed its business in Russia last week, and the decision came after people have been urging companies to withdraw due to the war in Ukraine that was started by Vladimir Putin.

McDonald’s announced that it would be shutting down all of its 850 store outlets in the country as a response to Russia’s attacks and invasion of Ukraine. According to WION News, as soon as the burger brand announced it would cease its operations, thousands of Russians have rushed to the McDonald’s stores in an effort to have the burger meals for the last time.

It was reported that many people have spent hours lining up to buy from McDonald’s, and there were even hoarders who thought of doing a business out of the people’s desire to have their fill of the McDonald’s burgers one more time. In short, some people took advantage of the situation to earn quick money.

Based on the reports, many unavailable McDonald’s food items were put up for sale on Avito, the Russian auction website that is similar to eBay. The food items are being sold for exorbitant prices, with one meal consisting of two burgers, cherry pie, and two drinks costing 7,500 Russian rubles, which is equivalent to $56.

There was even a seller who listed a McDonald’s Big Mac meal for $272 while another person tried to sell three bags of the brand’s food items for $697. The prices were excessive, and there seemed to be actual buyers because it was mentioned that the orders were picked up fresh from a location in Moscow, and of course, it was not a McDonald’s outlet.

At any rate, McDonald’s was initially hesitant to shut down its stores in Russia, but people have been criticizing the company for continuing to operate. Thus, the company’s chief executive officer, Chris Kempczinski, finally released a memo for its staff and franchisees.

“Our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine. Years ago, when confronted with his own difficult decision, Fred Turner explained his approach quite simply: ‘Do the right thing,’” he said in the letter. “Working closely in consultation with our Chairman, Rick Hernandez, and the rest of McDonald’s Board of Directors over the last week, McDonald’s has decided to temporarily close all our restaurants in Russia and pause all operations in the market.”