New Starbucks CEO plans to work in stores once a month

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan (AP)

Starbucks’ new CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, has said he plans to work a half-day shift once a month in one of the company’s stores in an effort to stay close to the firm’s culture and customers.

Mr Narasimhan, who became CEO earlier this week, said in a letter to Starbucks’ employees that he also expects the company’s leadership team to be connected and engaged in stores.

“While our performance is strong, our health needs to be stronger,” Mr Narasimhan wrote in the letter. “We must care for the artists and the theatre in the front of our stores, and the factory in the back.”

The CEO’s plan to work in stores is new for Seattle-based Starbucks, but not unprecedented among big companies.

My immersion provided me with exposure to every aspect of Starbucks business, culture and brand

DoorDash CEO Tony Xu and his executive team make DoorDash deliveries once a month, for example.

Mr Narasimhan, 55, issued the letter prior to the company’s annual meeting, which was held virtually.

The former PepsiCo executive has spent the last six months immersing himself in Starbucks, earning his barista certification as well as visiting stores, farms and manufacturing centres across the world.

Mr Narasimhan said he would like to see Starbucks evolve into a more global company, be less wasteful and move with greater speed.

“My immersion provided me with exposure to every aspect of Starbucks business, culture and brand,” he said. “Together, we have acknowledged the opportunity for a refounding of Starbucks.”

Mr Narasimhan succeeded long-time Starbucks leader Howard Schultz, who came out of retirement last spring to serve as interim CEO while the company searched for a new chief executive.

Mr Schultz will remain on the company’s board.