Russian directors ask 1 billion rubles for a cafe

Russian directors Nikita Mikhalkov and Andrei Konchalovsky decided to open a national catering network in Russia, which, according to their idea, should compete with Western fast food.

With a request to help create such a network, the directors turned to President Vladimir Putin.

In a letter to the president, Mikhalkov and Konchalovsky estimate the cost of creating a fast-food chain of almost a billion rubles, but they say they will recoup these costs in less than five years.

The letter clarifies that it is intended to use the name of the TV show “Eating at Home,” hosted by Konchalovsky’s wife Yulia Vysotskaya, as a brand. They want to make her the face of the brand.

According to Russian media, Vysotskaya already has two restaurants in Moscow. In addition, Vysotskaya produces a culinary magazine, and its company produces frozen vegetable and berry mixes.

Potential competitors of “Eat at Home” are not concerned about the prospect of another company appearing in the public catering market. In particular, the Russian McDonald's stated that the food market in the country has great potential for development.

Available food

It is assumed that the institutions of the new network will be small shops, combined with a cafe. In a letter to the president, Mikhalkov and Konchalovsky point out that dishes will be prepared in regional kitchen factories, and local producers will supply them with 30-40%.

The pilot project is planned to open in the Moscow region and in the Kaluga region. The directors are proposing to build one factory in these regions. In addition, in two areas it is planned to open a total of 41 cafes and 91 cooking. As planned by the directors, products from factories will be delivered to children's homes.

According to the newspaper, the president ordered the government to study the proposal of directors. It is expected that the initiative will be considered the day of April 9 at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. However, his press service declined to comment on this information.

Konchalovsky confirmed to TASS his intention to open, together with his brother, “a network of affordable, honest food.” In a conversation with Kommersant, the director added that he actually turned to the president for support, noting that the project fits into the strategy of supporting agriculture, as well as small and medium-sized businesses in Russia.

At the same time, Konchalovsky refused to give any details about the network, saying that the government should first give its response to the initiative. Comments Mikhalkov journalists could not get because he is abroad.

“At least not a trillion”

Social network users reacted emotionally to the initiative of Mikhalkov and Konchalovsky. Most of the comments on the network were honored with the financial and patriotic component of the idea, and the fact that the directors plan to open a business at the expense of the country's budget.

“The private brand Eat at Home is no longer private when it comes to financing. But when it touches profit, they will remember,” writes@AlenOle.

“Vova, I’m home. Eat. Urgently throw a billion at this number, then I’ll explain everything,” he says ironically @twitted_knitter. Vladimir Shepel answers him: “Well, at least not a trillion.”

“This is about “import substitution”. Mikhalkov, as a true patriot, decided to support his Motherland. And you started speculation here,” he retorts@BigRussianBear.

Talk about the real prospects of business are taken a few. Those who argue on the topic of payback are skeptical. In the term 4,8 of the year indicated in the letter to the president, during which the project should be self-sufficient, users find it difficult to believe.

“They won’t defeat any Mack. Logistics must be structured correctly. Well, plus they will cut it as usual. And then there is Teremok,” writes@kisloff_evgeniy.

“Tired of Big Mac”, “Siberian salad”, “Cruel roll”, “Sunny horn” - this could be the menu of the establishment, the user believes@wylsacom.