He plans to fly to the office by private jet: Starbucks' new boss has already caused outrage on the web, just appointed

Le logo Starbucks à New-York aux États-Unis le 16 septembre 2023. dpa – Michael Kappeler

Starbucks' new boss Brian Niccol is set to take office soon and will have to jet to work. A controversial commute.

Starbucks' new boss hasn't yet taken office, but his working conditions sparked controversy on Thursday: Brian Niccol will have access to a jet belonging to the American group to travel to the headquarters, located about 1,600 kilometers from his home.

A move coming?

“You will be able to use the company's aircraft for travel between your home city and the company's headquarters in Seattle, Washington,”, said the board's letter offering the executive the job, posted Thursday on the U.S. securities regulator's website.

A former CEO of the Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle, Brian Niccol lives in Newport Beach, a California town south of Los Angeles, about a 2-hour, 40-minute flight from Seattle.

"During the duration of your employment with the company, you will not be required to relocate to the company's headquarters”, the letter states. “You agree to commute between your home and the Company's headquarters (and to make other business trips) in the course of the exercise of your functions and responsibilities."

Indignation on the networks

The news has caused controversy on social media, with some users accusing Starbucks of hypocrisy as the coffee chain regularly highlights its efforts to protect the environment, such as eliminating plastic straws.

Environmental activists accuse private jet users of causing much higher CO2 emissions than commercial flights, and some associations have stepped up actions against these planes. Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Like many other companies, Starbucks requires its administrative employees to come into the office at least three days a week, and the new boss will be no exception. It will also have a relocated office in Newport Beach.

The company, which has been suffering from a decline in activity for several months in a context of rising prices and pressure from shareholders, announced in early August the departure with immediate effect of its boss Laxman Narasimhan, who has been in the position for sixteen months. Brian Niccol will be paid an annual base salary of $1.6 million.