Wendy's/Arby's Group, one of the world's leading fast food operators, said Tuesday it will enter the Russian market in 2011 and open 180 restaurants there over the next 10 years.
The company has signed a franchising agreement with Russia's Food Service Capital group, owned by Mikhail Zelman.
Wendy's/Arby's CEO Roland Smith said the Russian market "offers significant long-term expansion potential."
Wendy's/Arby's has around 10,000 restaurants in 24 countries.
Food Service Capital initially plans to open 10 outlets in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Wendy's executives were previously reported as saying they were interested in opening outlets at highway rest stops, railway stations and smaller towns.
Wendy's chief competitors in the world are McDonald's and Burger King. McDonald's has been operating in Russia since 1990, while Burger King opened its first restaurant in 2009.
MOSCOW, August 10 (RIA Novosti)
