The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NAZK) has added the U.S. multinational fast food franchise Subway to its list of international sponsors of war, the NAZK said in a statement on Jan. 10.
“Over 500 company restaurants continue to operate in the aggressor’s market, paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes to the Russian budget,” the statement reads.
“Subway actively promotes its activities through sanctioned Russian social networks and delivers food through Yandex services, which collaborate with the state and law enforcement agencies of the aggressor country.”
Subway has been operating in Russia for over 20 years, employing approximately 6,000 staff among 550 restaurants in 122 cities. Despite the full-scale invasion, the company has not announced any reduction in its activities in Russia.
Thus, in addition to paying taxes to the state budget of the terrorist state, the company provides jobs to Russians, supporting the Russian economy.
“Subway’s business model involves operating under a franchise system, with a large network of legally separate entities operating under the Subway brand, generating income and paying taxes,” NAZK explained.
“In Russia, the Subway network is franchised by the company Subway Russia Service Company, headquartered in St. Petersburg. Subway stated that all restaurants in the country are independently owned and operated by local and main franchisees, hence remaining open in Russia. This statement regarding the inability to influence its own franchisees does not correspond to reality and is misleading.”
Subway is one of the largest chains in the world in terms of the number of restaurants. It is known for its sandwiches, salads and buns. The company positions itself as a “healthy alternative to traditional fast food”.
Earlier it was reported that the NAZK has invited CEOs of international companies that have not stopped working in Russia to Ukraine.
The full list of NAZK’s international sponsors of war can be found here.