Sandwich franchise Subway is now on Ukraine’s list of “international war sponsors” for continuing to run more than 500 stores across Russia and helping finance Moscow’s war against Kiev, the Ukrainian National Agency for Prevention declared Wednesday. of Corruption (NACP).
In a NACP news release, the agency said Subway actively advertises through sanctioned Russian social networks and delivers through Yandex, Russia’s main search engine.
The Milford, Connecticut-based company now joins a list of other companies, including PepsiCo, Philip Morris International and Procter & Gamble, doing business in Russia, according to the agency.
Subway has been operating in Russia for more than 20 years, with 550 restaurants in 122 cities, making the sandwich chain in Russia the third largest in Europe, and adding it to the list of those that “finance the murders of Ukrainians,” according to the agency. .
Subway is now on Ukraine’s list of “international war sponsors.” fake images
This is not the first time the sandwich chain has faced controversy after it was first pressured to close operations in 2022, at the start of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Since the large-scale invasion, Subway has not reported any reduction in its operations in Russia,” the Ukrainian agency said, adding that the company still collects royalty payments for its business in Russia.
The company proclaimed that it supported Ukraine but had its hands tied when it came to pausing or stopping its business in Russia, citing its franchise business model.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and we are committed to supporting those affected by the tragic events in the region,” according to the statement released by the sandwich chain. “In addition to working with our franchisees across Europe to provide meals to refugees, we will redirect any profits from operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts to support Ukrainians who have been affected by war.”
This is not the first time the sandwich chain has faced controversy after it was first pressured to close operations in 2022.
The company also added that all of its restaurants in Russia are independently owned and operated by local franchisees and managed by an independent master franchisee.
“We do not directly control these independent franchisees and their restaurants,” the company stated.
FOX Business reached out to Subway for comment but has not yet heard back.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn