Sightful Invest
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
Top Posts
Trump considers tax hike on Americans making $2.5...
GOP senators: Congress should vote on Trump’s potential...
White House highlights over $2B in savings from...
GOP talk on millionaire tax hike ‘makes no...
Trump’s first vice president urges his old boss...
Department of Justice opens criminal investigation into NY...
Trump claims ‘I don’t know her’ and ‘listened...
Rubio just got an additional job in Trump’s...
OpenAI’s Sam Altman thanks Sen John Fetterman for...
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter dead at...
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock

Sightful Invest

Business

Starbucks CEO is out after just over a year, replaced by Chipotle’s CEO

by admin August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024
Starbucks CEO is out after just over a year, replaced by Chipotle’s CEO

Starbucks is replacing its CEO with the head of Chipotle as it seeks to revive flagging sales and appease outside investors.

Starbucks announced Tuesday morning that Brian Niccol, who has led the burrito chain since 2018, will take over the coffee giant starting next month.

Laxman Narasimhan, who took over as Starbucks’ CEO in March 2023, is leaving the company.

People outside a Starbucks in Los Angeles on July 12, 2022. –Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images file

Starbucks’ stock closed more than 24% higher, while Chipotle shares fell more than 7%.

Starbucks has struggled this year, hurt by weak sales in the U.S. and China. It had also faced increasing customer complaints about declining service quality and rising prices. It had recently come under pressure from so-called activist investors who’d purchased large stakes to force changes. Starbucks shares were down nearly 20% this year before Tuesday’s trading session.

Chipotle has faced similar gripes: It raised prices this year and also confronted a wave of social media criticism over uneven portion sizes. But Chipotle has better weathered those issues, recently reporting strong earnings that bucked a broader industry slowdown. Heading into Tuesday, its stock was up over 20% this year.

In its release announcing the change, Starbucks said Niccol had ‘transformed’ Chipotle.

‘His focus on people and culture, brand, menu innovation, operational excellence, and digital transformation have set new standards in the industry and driven significant growth and value creation,’ Starbucks said. It added that Chipotle’s stock price had increased nearly 800% during his tenure, ‘all while increasing wages for retail team members, expanding benefits, and strengthening the culture.’

Mellody Hobson, who stepped down as Starbucks’ chair to become lead independent director as part of Tuesday’s leadership shake-up, told CNBC on Tuesday that the board had been thinking about replacing Narasimhan for several months.

“Our board, a couple months ago, started to engage in a conversation about the leadership of the company, and I made an overture through someone to Brian, and he took the call,” Hobson said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “We thought we had the opportunity to engage with one of the biggest names in the industry, someone whose track record is just clearly proven, not only through the spectacular results that he’s had at Chipotle, but also before that at Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. He knows this industry, and we thought he would be the right leader for this moment.”

Hobson acknowledged that Narasimhan faced some challenges coming into Starbucks without restaurant experience but added that he helped decrease turnover and address supply chain issues. However, it appears that the board has more confidence that Niccol will be able to turn the business around quickly.

“What we saw with Brian was someone who’s, quite honestly, been there, done that — through all sorts of market environments, all sorts of cycles. When I talked to him, I remember him saying, ‘I know what to do,’” Hobson said.

In a statement, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz, who had been critical of the company’s recent performance, praised the change.

“Having followed Brian’s leadership and transformation journey at Chipotle, I’ve long admired his leadership impact,’ Schultz said. ‘His retail excellence and track record in delivering extraordinary shareholder value recognizes the critical human element it takes to lead a culture and values driven enterprise. I believe he is the leader Starbucks needs at a pivotal moment in its history. He has my respect and full support.”

Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri will step in as interim chief executive until Sept. 9, when Niccol officially takes over the top job.

Chipotle Chief Operating Officer Scott Boatwright will serve as interim CEO of the burrito chain. Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung, who had planned to retire next year, will stay on as president of strategy, finance and supply chain.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

previous post
Why Wall Street thinks Brian Niccol is the person to revive Starbucks — and end the Howard Schultz era
next post
Inside Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s Key Mining Investments

You may also like

Mortgage refinancing surges 35% in one week as...

August 16, 2024

Government workers dismayed by Trump’s return-to-office mandate

January 27, 2025

Immersive entertainment company Cosm lands rights to broadcast...

October 30, 2024

KFC moves U.S. headquarters from Kentucky to Texas

February 20, 2025

Judge allows lawsuit over Burger King’s Whopper ads...

May 8, 2025

The fight for the future of the Murdoch...

September 10, 2024

Tesla, Bitcoin and Truth Social boom in election...

November 8, 2024

‘RFK’ing the french fries’: Steak ‘n Shake becomes...

March 18, 2025

In a reversal, Disney’s media assets are starting...

August 9, 2024

Bucking trend, McDonald’s vows no egg surcharges as...

February 27, 2025

Recent Posts

  • Trump considers tax hike on Americans making $2.5 million or more per year
  • GOP senators: Congress should vote on Trump’s potential Iran nuclear deal
  • White House highlights over $2B in savings from DEI cuts during Trump administration’s first 100 days
  • GOP talk on millionaire tax hike ‘makes no sense,’ Trump White House alum says
  • Trump’s first vice president urges his old boss against raising taxes on wealthy Americans

    Become a VIP member by signing up for our newsletter. Enjoy exclusive content, early access to sales, and special offers just for you! As a VIP, you'll receive personalized updates, loyalty rewards, and invitations to private events. Elevate your experience and join our exclusive community today!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (712)
    • Investing (2,058)
    • Politics (2,553)
    • Stock (4)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sightfulinvest.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 Sightful Invest. All Rights Reserved.