The first institution from the category of fast food in the post-Soviet space is McDonald's. He appeared in the capital of the Russian Federation in 1990, causing tremendous excitement in the city. And after 6 years, the first McDonald's opened in St. Petersburg. When this happened, it was both joyful and sad (because of the protests).
Opening date, history, address, reviews and much more about this fast food network in St. Petersburg - in our article.
Description
McDonalds is the largest international chain of restaurants offering fast food worldwide, including in the Russian Federation.
In St. Petersburg, the network is also very popular, since in the city in 2018 there are about 75 establishments located in different places, which is very convenient. Also, visitors are attracted by fast service, quite tasty and satisfying food, reasonable price.
The first McDonald's in St. Petersburg (address: Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 39) was opened in September 1996. And today, all the St. Petersburg establishments combined, serve more than 160 thousand visitors daily.
Over all the years of the life of the McDonald's restaurant chain in St. Petersburg, there have been many different transformations, transformations, changes:
- development and improvement of the concept;
- expanding the menu, adapting some dishes to the Russian consumer;
- modernization and improvement of interiors;
- improving the quality of service through the introduction of new systems (IT-technologies);
- attracting the best domestic suppliers of raw materials.
For the first 20 years of operation, the company invested about 20 billion rubles in the development of the network.
McDonalds, together with the Ronald McDonald's House fund, regularly invests in various social projects: helping families in need, purchasing special medical equipment, arranging a Family Room at children's hospitals, and so on.
Many students of St. Petersburg begin their careers precisely within the walls of McDonald's restaurants. As this guarantees each employee: a social package, a convenient work schedule, a friendly team, career advancement, decent pay.
World Network History
How did it all start? This story is likely to be known to many modern young people, we are talking about the founders of the first institution "McDonalds" - Dick and Mack.
Brothers Richard and Maurice MacDonald back in 1940 in the town of San Bernardino (California) opened their first eatery for motorists.
It was an ordinary roadside cafe, which brought a profit of about 200 thousand dollars a year. But the brothers wanted to develop, and therefore they decided to improve their business.
After some time, Richard and Maurice opened a restaurant called McDonald's Famous Barbeque. This institution already had a higher status than the diner. The main course, which was offered to visitors, was grilled meat, which could be prepared in more than 40 ways.
But a few years later, having analyzed the system of the institution, the brothers came to the conclusion that the sale of hamburgers brings the greatest income. And from that moment begins the story of the "McDonald's", which everyone knows today.
Richard and Maurice completely changed the layout of the restaurant’s kitchen, equipping it for the conveyor preparation of hamburgers. And also significantly reduced the menu position (in addition to the main dish, visitors were offered juice and chips, which were soon replaced by Coca-Cola and French fries).
Thus, the cost of a hamburger has become lower (than that of competitors) - only 15 cents apiece. And so they left in huge quantities and were very popular.
Thus, the MacDonald brothers invented a completely new concept of fast food, which later began to be introduced throughout America, and then around the world.
Since 1955, owners have provided licenses that allowed them to open the same points: first in other cities, and then (in collaboration with Ray Crock) in other countries.
The first McDonald's in St. Petersburg
The solemn moment of opening a fast food restaurant was remembered by the townspeople as an unforgettable day. This event occurred on September 10, 1996.
Where was the first McDonald's in St. Petersburg? And now it is here - on Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt, building 39 (the institution itself is located on the 1st floor).
On this day, the city governor Vladimir Yakovlev delivered a congratulatory speech . There was also a protest against the new fast food chain.
Nevertheless, the first restaurant began its work, and quite successfully. By 1999, there were already 50 such establishments in the city.
Data
In general, McDonald's restaurants are the most famous fast foods in the world and in Russia. There is no such person who has not heard and at least has not tasted: Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, Happy Mil, milkshake, french fries and other products from the McDonald's menu ".
This network, according to visitors' reviews, is good because in any restaurant you can have a tasty and quick meal, while remaining confident in the quality of the food. There is also a separate car and cafe service.
As for the St. Petersburg institutions, then:
- in 11 restaurants (including the very first, which opened in St. Petersburg) - there is a McCafe (Nevsky Prospect, 45; Ligovsky Prospect, 100/104; Shopping Center "Moscow", on Alexander Nevsky Square; Middle Avenue of Vasilyevsky Island , 29-A; Kamennoostrovsky Avenue, 39). Here you can taste the delicious natural Arabica coffee, milkshakes, sandwiches and desserts;
- in 11 restaurants, for motorists there is a “MakAvto” (northern and southern areas of the city).
And in each restaurant there is:
- the Internet;
- service for children's parties;
- cozy tables;
- good atmosphere;
- Friendly staff.
Reviews
There are many conflicting opinions about the very first McDonald's in St. Petersburg. Basically, visitors note the following advantages:
- Often there are pleasant promotional programs.
- Reasonable cost of production.
- A variety of menu items (there are fish and meat dishes, ice cream, desserts).
- Fast service, friendly staff.
- A great option for a quick snack.
- Constant updating in terms of customer service, which significantly increases the efficiency and expectations of your order.
- Everything is operational, standard, satisfying.
- Good service despite lots of visitors at lunchtime.
- Very cozy tables on the street.
- After the update, it became much more pleasant and easier to make orders at the institution.
- An excellent McCafe location - plenty of space, long bar counters with chairs, sofas and small tables for two.
- A wonderful place where you can relax and have a cup of coffee, contemplating the picturesque view from the window.
- Adequate prices.
- Great desserts.
- A good promotion in the morning and evening is “Happy Hours”, when you can order a signature dessert and get a cup of cappuccino as a gift.
- Always fresh pastries at McCafe.
- Pleasant service aimed at everything so that customers are satisfied with the establishment.
Features of the work of Russian network institutions
As for the supply of raw materials for the preparation of each dish in the first McDonalds (St. Petersburg) and in the rest located in the country (including in Moscow and other cities), everything is purchased from 160 Russian manufacturers (about 85%).
All components of hamburgers are prepared exclusively from Russian products, including meat, which is supplied by Russian factories, and local vegetables and herbs are also used.
Social work
As noted above, McDonald's in Russia is actively involved in charitable projects. For all the years of the existence of the Ronald McDonald House charity foundation, about 460 million rubles were allocated for various purposes:
- Opening of a fitness center for children with disabilities;
- Opening of family hotels at hospitals;
- Family rooms at children's clinics in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Samara, Yaroslavl, Rostov-on-Don and other cities of the country;
- Organization of children's and family programs (including the restaurant became the official food institution at the 2014 Olympic Games);
- Included in the community of sponsors and participants (like a restaurant) of football championships;
- The organizer of the hockey tournament for domestic teams for children.
But it all began with the opening of the first McDonald's in St. Petersburg and Moscow - in the 90s of the last century.
Useful information
- Restaurants belong to the category of cafes / fast food restaurants;
- They offer American cuisine (adapted to the Russian consumer);
- Assortment of food: burgers, drinks, potatoes, salads, sandwiches;
- There are services “Food with you”, “Breakfast”, “Children's menu”;
- Organization of children's parties is possible.
Full address of the first McDonald's in St. Petersburg: Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt 39, 1st floor (Aptekarsky Island stop).
There is a summer terrace, internet.
The average check of an institution: from 250 rubles per person, payment in cash and by bank transfer.
Schedule: Monday to Sunday - from 7.00 to 23.30.
Conclusion
Despite the emergence of new restaurants in the Russian Federation offering fast food services, McDonald's is still worthy of competition. After all, he is the real classic of fast food in the world.