"Kyiv residents will finally have a chance to see what all of the fuss is about Saturday, May 24 as they line up to sample two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. At 6 a.m."

"Ukraine's first McDonald's outlet will commence its grand opening celebration bright and early at the 300-seat locale at Lykyanivska metro station, and will serve up America-style fast food all day until midnight."

"Those not all that excited by the idea of breakfast burgers will have to wait to get their hands on an Egg-Muffin, as initially the restaurants will offer a limited version of the McDonald's menu, including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, milk shakes, desserts such as apple pies and ice cream sundaes, and, of course the Big Mac."

"The company plans to add such signature items as Chicken McNuggets and Filet-O-Fish before long however."

"They'll start off with the basic items and then will introduce new products to keep it all interesting,' said Victoria Datsko, managing director of DDB Ukraine, the Ukrainian branch of the advertising firm handling McDonald's advertising in Europe."

"McDonald's will open a second Kyiv restaurant the following day on Sevastopol square. Both restaurants will feature a drive-through window dubbed McDrive."

"Prices have been set to reflect low-income levels in Ukraine, Datsko said. A hamburger will cost Hr 1.25 and a hamburger combination meal, including french fries and a small drink will run Hr 3.25. Datska said McDonald's management's conducted focus groups with potential customers to determine prices that would attract average Ukrainians."

"Not only will Saturday's customers get a sample cheap fare, but the very first customer at the grand opening will have the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon. Later in the day a costumed Ronald McDonald will clown around for the entertainment of the children."

    McDONALD'S BROCHURE
Obtained By ArtUkraine.com
Saturday, May 24, 1997
McDonald's Lukyanivska Metro Station
Kyiv, Ukraine
(Photos Show Front Cover, Back and Inside Page)

"Just in case overzealous customers get rowdy, as they did earlier this year at the opening of the chain's first restaurant in Belarus, McDonald's has hired a private security firm to control crowds. 'McDonald's looks seriously at security, but doesn't expect any problems,' Dutsko said."

"The company expects to invest more than $ 100 million in Ukraine over the next five years, opening 85 restaurants and creating about 6,500 new jobs by 2,000, according to a press release form McDonald's Ukraine. Seven restaurants are scheduled to open in Kyiv by the end of the year, and one is planned for Kharkiv"