McDonaldization of the Mordovian food culture

Abstract (English)

This report examines the popularity of fast food in the Mordovia Republic and public attitudes toward it. The author also scrutinizes alternatives to the McDonaldization process. The research is based on data collected between 2023 and 2025 in Mordovia and Moscow. George Ritzer’s "McDonaldization of Society" theory was a framework for the paper.
Globalization, urbanization, and the accelerated pace of everyday life have reshaped the eating habits of Mordovia’s population. In the 2010s international fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC appeared in Saransk, reflecting the principles of McDonaldization: efficiency, simplification, and standardization.

The obvious advantage of fast food is quick service—30% of respondents choose fast food due to time constraints. Food trucks and cafes prepare meals in 10–15 minutes using pre-processed ingredients and disposable tableware minimizes cleanup.

A hybrid format is widespread. Nowadays even in traditional restaurants popular dishes like wings, kebabs, and salads are prepared. European restaurants, in turn, incorporate elements of local cuisine, demonstrating standardized consumer preferences.

McDonaldization extends beyond dining to everyday life. Rural gasification has simplified home cooking, and many respondents follow a "McDonaldized" diet—quick meals like porridge, soup, or eggs dominate in their daily routines. Globalization and urbanization drive the demand for fast food. Its convenience and standardization make it basic and widely spread modern nutrition, confirming the continued relevance of Ritzer’s theory in the Mordovian region.