Former McDonald's restaurants in Russia will reopen under new branding and ownership on Sunday (June 12), more than three decades after the arrival of the massively popular Western fast-food chain.

Over 30 years after the first McDonald's opened in Moscow - still one of the most poignant symbols of the Cold War's end - the fast-food chain announced that it would temporarily close its 850 Russian locations due to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

As the Soviet Union crumbled in the early 1990s, McDonald's came to symbolize a thawing of Cold War tensions and served as a vehicle for millions of Russians to taste American food and culture.

McDonald's announced last month that it was selling its Russian restaurants to one of its local licensees, Alexander Govor. The agreement was one of the most high-profile business exits since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24.

McDonald's iconic "Golden Arches" have been removed from locations in Moscow and St. Petersburg to make way for a new logo consisting of two fries.

Despite the temporary shutdown, Kempczinski stated that the company would not abandon its employees and would continue to pay the salaries of all employees in Russia (as it has for its Ukrainian employees).

Kempczinski also mentioned that McDonald's and its Ronald McDonald House Charities have been providing aid and support in Europe, including medical care and humanitarian assistance for families and children crossing the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Govor has stated that he intends to expand the new, unnamed brand to 1,000 locations across the country and relaunch all of the chain's restaurants within two months. However, there may be some headwinds.

According to Oleg Paroev of McDonald's Russia, other franchisees will be able to work under the new brand, but the traditional McDonald's brand will leave the country. McDonald's has stated that it will keep its trademarks.

The new owner, who made his fortune in the Russian coal and oil industries, has not disclosed how much he paid, but he has stated that other bidders desired to take over the entire chain.

'We are working on establishing a new brand and have already sent applications for the registration of several names,' a spokesperson said last week.

'One of all registered names will be chosen in the future.'

McDonald's has the right to buy back its Russian restaurants within 15 years, but many details of the sale to Govor remain unknown.