Kazakhstan : first McDonald's opens in Astana

• McDonald’s is partnering with prominent gas tycoon Kairat Boranbayev, whose daughter Alima is married to Nazarbayev’s grandson, Aysultan Nazarbayev.
• Sandwiches in Kazakhstan’s McDonald’s start from 400 tenge (US$1.16). The popular Big Mac burger costs 800 tenge (US$2.32), while Happy Meals cost 1,050 tenge (US$3.04).

Akim (Mayor) of Astana Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, Minister of Culture and Sport Arystanbek Muhamediuly, owner of the McDonald’s franchise in Kazakhstan Kairat Boranbayev and other high officials were at the opening. 

Astana's Mayor Adilbek Dzhaksybekov (C) holds a burguer as he poses with the staff during the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant in Kazakhstan, 8 March 2016.

First McDonald's Opens In Kazakhstan
Long lines for the first McDonald's in Kazakhstan...the first in Central Asia!
Posted by on Tuesday, March 8, 2016

The Kazakhstan launch comes as McDonald’s is under pressure in neighbouring Russia, where more than half of its 440 locations are under investigation over alleged health and safety violations, and nine outlets have been temporarily closed, in the ongoing stand-off between Moscow and the west over the Ukraine crisis. The company denies the allegations.

The sprawling country may have a population of just 17 million people, but its inhabitants have a voracious appetite for an oil-fuelled consumer lifestyle. Shopping malls have sprung up all over the country, and other western fast-food joints such as Burger King and KFC are already popular.