The McDonald’s restaurant at City Centre II opened on Friday, the first outlet to have reopened in the state after the US fast-food chain settled an almost six-year-long dispute with estranged partner Vikram Bakshi on May 9.

As part of the out-of-court settlement, McDonald’s bought out for an undisclosed sum Bakshi’s and his entities’ 50 per cent stake in Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL), which operates the chain of quick service restaurants in northern and eastern India.

“Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Ltd (CPRL), now wholly owned by McDonald’s, is pleased to announce that it has started reopening its restaurants in West Bengal starting July 19, 2019,” the fast food chain said in a statement.

Apart from the City Centre II outlet, McDonald’s has three other stores in and around the city — at Bhowanipore, Mani Square and Avani Mall in Howrah. Durgapur’s Junction Mall has an outlet, too.

The outlets had remained closed since May 9, when the transition was finalised. “All of the remaining outlets will reopen in the coming days,” a spokesperson said.

McDonald’s has 38,000 locations in over 100 countries, with over 90 per cent owned and operated by local business partners.

The first McDonald’s outlet in the city — on Park Street — closed in February 2018. The tenant had sublet the property to Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd.

Before shutting shop, the Park Street store was forced shut by police twice, in September and November 2017. The police had come to enforce an eviction notice on both occasions.

“We are thrilled to have started the reopening process and look forward to serving our customers a more authentic McDonald’s experience,” said Rob Hunghanfoo, head of CPRL.

On May 9, McDonald’s announced the appointment of Hunghanfoo as head of CPRL. He was supported by McDonald’s global leaders along with the CPRL team to facilitate transition.

“We will continue to work around the clock and plan to gradually reopen more restaurants in the coming days and weeks,” said Hunghanfoo.

While we are confident this will result in the best possible experience for our customers, we sincerely regret any inconvenience the continued temporary restaurant closures may cause.”