McDonald’s Corporation has operated the most successful international fast-food restaurant chain in history. McDonalds currently has more than 33,000 locations across the globe and has been one of the few companies to remain profitable through a fluctuating economy. In the late 20th century, McDonalds began to spread throughout Europe, but had not been able to reach into Russia. That would all change in 1990.

On this date, January 31, in 1990, the world’s largest McDonalds opened in Moscow. Since the United States could not partner with Russia, because of the Cold War, the Moscow McDonalds was a project of McDonalds’ Canada. Citizens of Moscow greatly embraced the McDonalds and 30,000 people were reported to be lined up on opening day. Lines would continue to be as long as 3 hours during the first few weeks. The Moscow McDonalds has since lost its title as largest in the world, but locations in Russia are still very successful.

In the next few years, McDonalds would continue to bring locations to new countries. Between 1990 and 1993, McDonalds locations opened in mainland China, Morocco, and additional European countries.