To Russia With Fries: My Journey from Chicago’s South Side to Moscow’s Red Square - Having Fun Along the Way: George Cohon, David Macfarlane
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Decades before the collapse of the Soviet Union opened the floodgates to waves of Western entrepreneurs, an eager executive was in active negotiations with Brezhnev-era officials to give his corporation a presence in Soviet Russia. George Cohon, the senior chairman of McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada, wanted to raise the golden arches in a corner of the world untouched by Big Macs. His account describes how he finally succeeded in opening the world’s largest McDonald’sAjust blocks from Red SquareAand selling more apple pies in the first three days of operation than the average Canadian restaurant sells in a year. With Macfarlane’s (Come from Away) assistance, Cohon’s hardworking, good-humored personality rings clear. Whether reflecting on the transformation of a South Side Chicago kid to multimillionaire (”I’m still the same guy who lived in an apartment with one bath. I just don’t have to wait in line any more”) or remembering stressful nightmares (”Gorbachev and I were making Big Macs at the SkyDome in Toronto and we couldn’t keep up with the orders”), Cohon’s narrative is that of a born storyteller. Cohon’s delightful account of how determination and a sparkling sense of humor can topple even the stiffest bureaucratic opposition and the surliest service-sector standards will entertain readers. Author tour. (May) FYI: All proceeds from book sales will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
The golden arches of McDonalds, resplendent in the dour precincts of Pushkin Square, are symbols of the triumph of capitalism. That Ronald McDonald cavorts in Nizhni Novgorod and St. Petersburg may seem inevitable now, but time was when it was inconceivable. It took the chief cook and battle fighter of the Canadian arm of the burger empire to make such marketing history. In this far from bashful business autobiography, Cohon tells how he worked from perestroika through glasnost, from Brezhnev to Yeltsin, to bring “Beeg Meks” and fries to hungry Russians. During the 14 years of negotiation, Cohon had to explain the concept of hamburgers to myriad apparatchiks. He developed warm relationships with several bigwigs, including his pal Mikhail Gorbachev, who provided the foreword for this text. The essential democracy of fast food complemented the post-Soviet social upheavals, as did the “rubles only” policy, contrasted with the “hard currency only” rules of more upscale eateries. The natives loved the open door and the friendly crew as well as the food that burger diplomat Cohon insists is healthy. After all, he had to grow the potatoes and cook the ketchup to meet company standards. Indeed, the network of suppliers proved the greatest challenge. The account seems as devoid of guile as an Egg McMuffin. Throughout, Cohon refers to the inspiring sayings of Chairman Ray Kroc, who gave him the Canadian franchise in the first place. The author, born in Chicago, is now a citizen of Canada, where the book first appeared. He speaks of “pop” (for “soda”), writes “cheques,” and mentions celebrities whowith the possible exception of Pierre Trudeauare, regretfully, unnoticed below the border. An animated story extolling the author’s family, friends, faith, and business adventures, told in straightforward fashion. Like the billionth Big Mac, its not haute cuisine but is satisfactory on its own level. (32 pages b&w photos) — Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.