European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 25, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Assignment inside Moscow though Tho Lino Are Long work Quot at1ho Moscow Mcdonald s Ara last and student. The restaurant and food Plant employ 1,200people.the new Moscow Mecca Mcdonald s slices of pizza go for 25 rubles each at the pizza hut express window. Page 14 the stars and stripes wednesday March 25. 1992 the lines Aren t As Long As when it first opened two years ago. But just try getting a seat. It can be a Challenge even though there Are 700 to choose from in what is the world s largest Mcdonald s. Many think of the Mcdonald a near Pushkin Square in Moscow As a bit of americana but the capitalistic venture is actually a russian Canadian partnership. Russia owns 51 percent of the Enterprise. Every Day As Many As 50,000 people Sample the fast food fare most of them russians. Quot russians think it s rather expensive but not if you compare us to other said Marina tulo Nikova a Mcdonald a press spokeswoman. Four can eat Well for less than $5. That Means big macs. French Fries and milkshakes All around about what one such meal would Cost in the United states or Western Europe. Mcdonald a sensitive to galloping inflation in the country lowered its prices 28 percent on Jan. 31, tulo Nikova said. The restaurant is open from 10 . To 10 . It deals Only in rubles unlike some foreign businesses that have a two tiered Price system. Ninety three percent of the food supplies come from Russia. Quot we re very proud of that a she said. The average food order is 60 rubles about 90 cent she said. The Moscow Mcdonald s employs 1,200 workers. Four Hundred work at the food Plant. Before the opening a one Day newspaper and Drew 21,000 applicants. Six Hundred were hired from that initial Pool. Employees make 10 rubles 15 cents per hour. The company also pays bonuses medical insurance and other benefits. Quot i come Here once a week because it s Home Quot says Monica Taffinder of san Antonio Texas. Affiliated with the Campus crusade for Christ she has lived in Moscow five months. A i Don t come Here very often Quot says Eugene Rudkovsky 21, a student at the Moscow air Institute. Quot it s a Little bit Quot it s better than a soviet restaurant Quot says Oksana Litvinova 21. Pizza hut is another Chain that has gained acceptance in the East. Two Are operating in Moscow. Both Are russian american ventures reflected on a menu with . And russian federation flags. Eugene the Stukov 26, assistant manager of the pizza hut near red Square described business As his outlet the smaller brings in about $5,000 a week. About 60 percent of his customers Are foreigners who eat inside the restaurant and pay in hard currency he says. The restaurant accepts pounds Sterling German Marks and finnish Marks. Major credit cards Are also welcomed. There is even a delivery service for orders Over $30. Inside Small medium and Large pizza Margherita Cost $5, $8 and $11 respectively. Pizza supreme go for $9, $15 and $19. Soft drinks Cost $2 each. Beer is $4. Russians usually patronize a connecting slice bar where pieces can be purchased for 25 rubles 35 cents. Both pizza huts opened in september 1990. The Stukov said 7,000 russians applied for 300 positions
