McDonald's will open fewer restaurants in Russia this year due to the weak ruble

The McDonald's will open fewer new restaurants in Russia this year than last, because the decrease of the rouble has increased the costs of expansion – the Russian chief executive told Reuters.

The rouble, hit by a drop in oil prices and Western sanctions over Ukraine, has fallen more than 50 percent since early 2014, fuelling inflation. Russia now faces its first recession since 2009.

McDonald's will open at least 50 new restaurants in Russia compared to 73 last year, having earmarked 6 billion roubles (87 million USD) for capital expenditures, the same amount as in 2014. (portfolio.hu)