Brian Niccol: Starbucks’ new CEO, Brian Niccol, will undertake a remarkable daily commute of 1,600 kilometers between his home in California and the company’s Seattle headquarters. According to his employment agreement, Niccol will use a corporate jet for this journey, aligning with Starbucks’ hybrid work policy. Despite the extensive travel, Niccol is expected to work from the Seattle office at least three days a week.
Starbucks’ New CEO Brian Niccol to Commute 1,600 Kilometers Daily
Niccol, aged 50, will receive an annual base salary of $1.6 million, with the potential for a cash bonus ranging from $3.6 million to $7.2 million based on performance. Additionally, he could earn up to $23 million in annual equity awards.
This commuting arrangement is not unprecedented for Niccol
This commuting arrangement is not unprecedented for Niccol. During his tenure as CEO of Chipotle in 2018, he similarly commuted until Chipotle relocated its headquarters to California.
A Starbucks spokesperson noted that Niccol’s role will involve substantial time at the Seattle Support Center, as well as visits to various global Starbucks locations. “His schedule will exceed the hybrid work guidelines and workplace expectations we have for all partners,” the spokesperson said.
Flexible work terms are often negotiated by high-level executives, as seen with other notable figures like Hillary Super, CEO of Fenty x Savage, who works from New York City instead of the brand’s headquarters near Columbus, Ohio. In contrast, some CEOs, such as Amazon’s Andy Jassy and JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon, are pushing for a return to traditional in-office work.
Niccol’s unique arrangement comes amid a challenging period for Starbucks, with recent declines in sales in key markets like the US and China under the leadership of outgoing CEO Laxman Narasimhan.
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