What was the first McDonald’s restaurant in the Soviet Union, opened in Moscow in 1990, commonly known as?

The first McDonald’s restaurant in the Soviet Union, opened in Moscow in 1990, was commonly known as Pushkin Square McDonald’s.

The restaurant opened on Pushkin Square on January 31, 1990. Its arrival was a major international branding event because McDonald’s brought its familiar arches, service system, uniforms, packaging, and menu to the Soviet capital during a period of profound political and economic change.

The opening attracted unusually large crowds and extensive international attention. McDonald’s had spent years preparing the operation, including developing local supply arrangements so the restaurant could meet the company’s standards for ingredients and consistency.

It is often mistakenly called Red Square McDonald’s because Red Square is Moscow’s most famous landmark. The restaurant’s actual location was Pushkin Square, a different central Moscow site.