Which McDonald's restaurant became the first in the Soviet Union when it opened in Moscow in 1990?

The Pushkin Square McDonald's became the first McDonald's restaurant in the Soviet Union when it opened in Moscow in 1990.

The restaurant opened on January 31, 1990, after years of planning and negotiations. Its arrival was a major international branding event because it brought a highly recognizable American restaurant chain into the Soviet capital during a period of political and economic change.

Large crowds attended the opening, and the restaurant quickly became a widely reported symbol of growing contact between Soviet consumers and Western brands. McDonald's also emphasized local sourcing and operational standards as part of the project.

The location is commonly called the Pushkin Square McDonald's because it stands near Pushkin Square. It should not be confused with a restaurant officially located at Red Square or inside the Kremlin.