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McDonald’s India (MIPL), which is involved in a legal tussle with its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi, has got APCO Worldwide on board as its communications partner in the country.
Several MNCs are known to have hired APCO Worldwide to tide over crisis situations or as strategic communication consultants in the past in the country. Reportedly, Nestle India had engaged APCO Worldwide during the Maggi crisis in 2015. The global communication firm works with clients across diverse sectors.
In an e-mailed reply, Barry Sum, Director, Corporate Relations, Asia Foundational Markets, McDonald’s, said: “We can confirm the appointment of APCO Worldwide as our communications partner.”
He added, “APCO Worldwide has been one of our communications consultant since 2017. Recently, we decided to consolidate the consultancy support for McDonald’s India under APCO Worldwide.” The two partners — McDonald’s and Bakshi — have been embroiled in a legal tussle since 2013 and the matter is being heard at various courts and tribunals. Their petitions are being currently heard by the National Company Law Tribunal, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and the Delhi High Court.
MIPL had announced termination of its franchise agreement with Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL) in August last year. CPRL is a 50:50 joint venture between McDonald’s India and Vikram Bakshi for North and East India. Bakshi continues to run the McDonald’s branded restaurants in the north and east region.
“We are continuing to take steps to exercise our legal and contractual rights. We do not have any updates to share regarding our developmental licensee search for the North and East,” Sum said. He added that the company cannot comment on the ongoing litigations as these are sub-judice.
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