Sources Say McDonald's Russia Will Now Franchise

McDonald's is looking for Russian business partners for the first time in its 20-year presence in the country, as it hopes to expand into Siberia, RBK reported Tuesday. 

The fast-food giant intends to open restaurants in Novosibirsk, Tomsk and Barnaul, using the franchise business model that is the basis for 80 percent of its restaurants worldwide but has not been used in Russia yet, according to RBK. 

The move was taken in part due to the expansion of Burger King and Wendy's, who work with franchisees, two unidentified Moscow restaurateurs told RBK.

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