McDonald's is opening 60 new restaurants in Russia — here's what it's like to eat at one in downtown Moscow

Dylan Love

McDonald's announced today that it plans to open 60 new restaurants in Russia over the course of 2016.

The company's focus on affordable menus and local suppliers has proved successful in the economic crisis, and it intends to ramp up expansion efforts over the coming year. 

The chain is one of the greatest symbols of American impact around the world. Business Insider visited one in downtown Moscow during a trip to Russia in 2013 — here's what it was like inside.

Disclosure: Our trip to Moscow, including travel and lodging expenses, was sponsored by the Russian Quantum Center.

This post is based on a earlier version of an article written by Dylan Love.

Ah, the familiar golden arches. Let's take a closer look.

McDonald's is spelled out phonetically in Cyrillic characters.

The interior of the restaurant is similar to what we're used to in Europe and the US. Bright backlit menus and crowds near the register look familiar.