SEATTLE, Washington - Starbucks said this week that it will leave the Russian market after nearly 15 years following the decision of McDonald's.
The 130 stores of Starbucks in Russia have more than 2,000 employees, according to the licensee of the Alshaya Group.
McDonald's said last week it was selling its restaurants in Russia to its local licensee Alexander Govor, to be rebranded as a new name, but will retain its trademarks.
Imperial Brands and Shell are cutting ties with the Russian market by selling their assets within the country or handing them over to local managers.
Following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in March, Starbucks shut its Russian stores and suspended all business activities in the country, including shipments of its products.
In Russia, Starbucks opened its first outlet in 2007 and said it will continue to support its local employees, including paying their salaries for six months.