Knock-Off Brands Seen All Over Iran Because of the Sanctions by yasirshoro95
It's not uncommon for big companies to continue to operate like this during sanctions like McDonalds, they hide their affiliation with oligarchs and shell companies, and they'll change their branding. For example when we put sanction on Russia all the McDs closed and immediately reopened under a different name by 1 guy, McDonalds "keeps in contact with him" which does not violate sanctions.
I find it highly unlikely big companies willingly leave strong markets just because the government is fighting with them nd there are million ways to handle sanctions via loopholes.
I'm sure some are legit knock off's but that HmM.. pretty sure that's just real deal, and honestly, that kfc probably is still somehow affiliated.