Starbucks’ New CEO Takes Flight: Brian Niccol’s 1,600-Kilometer Daily Commute

Starting next month, Starbucks’ incoming CEO, Brian Niccol, will face an extraordinary commute, traveling 1,600 kilometers daily from his home in California to the company’s headquarters in Seattle. According to his offer letter, Niccol will rely on a corporate jet for his daily journey. Despite the travel, Starbucks’ hybrid work policy, in effect since 2023, requires him to work from the Seattle office at least three days a week, even when not on the road for business.

Niccol, 50, will receive an annual base salary of $1.6 million, with the potential to earn a cash bonus ranging between $3.6 million and $7.2 million, depending on his performance. Additionally, he is eligible for annual equity awards that could total up to $23 million.

This isn’t the first time Niccol has arranged a long-distance commute. When he took over as CEO of Chipotle in 2018, he negotiated a similar deal. Initially, Chipotle’s headquarters was in Colorado, a short drive from his previous workplace. However, three months after his appointment, the fast-food chain relocated its headquarters to California.

A Starbucks spokesperson noted that while Niccol will spend the majority of his time at the Seattle Support Center, he will also visit partners and customers in various Starbucks locations worldwide. His work schedule is expected to surpass the hybrid work guidelines set for other employees.

Niccol’s unusual commuting arrangement comes as Starbucks faces declining sales in its two largest markets, the US and China, under the leadership of current CEO Laxman Narasimhan. Niccol, known for his success in revitalizing struggling companies, was chosen for the top job due to his impressive track record—most notably, during his time at Chipotle, where the company’s stock reportedly surged by 773% under his leadership.

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