Burger King opens first outlet in Russia

Burger King has opened its first outlet in Russia this week, part of the company’s expansion strategy in the EMEA region. The first location is in the Metropolis shopping centre in Moscow, and will be followed by a second in Europeysky shopping centre next week. "Russia is an exciting, active market with a vibrant economy and the cosmopolitan city of Moscow will embrace the Burger King experience," Kevin Higgins, President of Burger King Europe, said in a statement. "It is part of our overall growth plan to increase our brand presence in existing European markets as well as in strategic new ones," he added.  Burger King’s franchise partner in Russia is Burger Rus LLC, owned by investors who operate Shokoladnitsa, a Russian coffee shop chain. The company has not yet revealed any other specific growth plans for Russia. Burger King has expanded its presence throughout Central and Eastern Europe in the last five years with market entries in Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.