Starbucks’ new CEO is going to try to be a barista. Lakshman Narasimhan said in a letter to investors that he plans to work at Starbucks stores every month — a break from an executive’s typical schedule.
Narasimhan, who was earlier an executive at PepsiCo, said before becoming CEO of Starbucks, he trained at the company for six months. Part of that “immersive experience” was learning how to be a barista.
March 20 was his first day at the helm of the company, but he promised to be back in a green apron soon — and often.
“I learned a lot about the retail experience working in our stores,” he wrote in the letter. “To keep close to our culture and our customers, as well as our challenges and opportunities, I would like to continue to work in the store for half a day each month, and I hope that every member of the leadership team will also ensure that our support centers. Stay connected and involved in the reality of our stores to discuss and improve. Stay,” he continued.
Narasimhan not only served coffee during his training, he also learned about the company’s support center, supply chain and manufacturing. He also met the farmers under the cover of coffee.
And he spent time “discussing the universal need for human connection” with the company’s former CEO Howard Schultz and other executives, saying Starbucks will prioritize human connection to help its “partners, our customers, our communities, our farmers, our world and ourselves.” shareholders.”
He called it “the refounding of Starbucks” and said the company would work to improve many aspects of the business, including long-term hiring and retention of employees and their wages and investment in stores.
Employees at hundreds of Starbucks locations across the United States Complained about wagestried to unionize — which Starbucks says it opposes — and Even staged a walkout last year.
This week, hundreds of workers went on strike again, accusing the company of more than 70 official complaints from the National Labor Relations Board. According to CBS Minnesota, which reported that workers at three Starbucks locations in the Twin Cities planned to strike. But the company accused the union of refusing to bargain in good faith, filing 100 unfair labor practice charges against it.
In a letter to employees — which the company refers to as “partners” — on Monday, Narasimhan praised Schultz for believing that the company must work to “exceed partner expectations.” He told the partners “the best days are ahead.”
CBS News has reached out to Starbucks for comment and is awaiting a response.
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Caitlin O’Kane
