New Starbucks CEO allowed company jet for 1,000-mile commute to Seattle

[mahatmakanejeeves]

New Starbucks CEO allowed company jet for 1,000-mile commute to Seattle
Activists and those concerned about climate change criticized Starbucks for allowing Brian Niccol to use a company jet to commute from Newport Beach, Calif., to Seattle.

By Leo Sands
August 22, 2024 at 9:22 a.m. EDT

Starbucks is giving its incoming chief executive, Brian Niccol, access to a company-owned jet to commute roughly 1,000 miles to its headquarters in Seattle — a perk that sparked criticism from activists and others concerned about the environmental impact of private jets.

In its offer letter to Niccol, Starbucks said he would not be required to relocate. Instead, Starbucks would establish a small remote office in Newport Beach, Calif. — but Niccol “will be eligible to use the Company aircraft for … travel between your city of residence and the Company’s headquarters,” states the letter, dated Aug. 11 and made public in an SEC filing.

Starbucks’s hybrid work policy requires employees at its Seattle headquarters who live within commuting distance to work from the office at least three days a week. ... A Starbucks spokesperson told CNBC that Niccol will also be expected to work from the office at least three days a week when not traveling for work, in alignment with the company’s broader policy. Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Thursday.

Public records list Niccol’s address in Newport Beach, some 992 miles from Seattle. Niccol’s previous role was chief executive of Chipotle Mexican Grill — the headquarters of which he relocated from Denver to Newport Beach.

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Taylor Telford and Aaron Gregg contributed to this report.

By Leo Sands
Leo Sands is a breaking-news reporter and editor in The Washington Post’s London Hub, covering news as it unfolds around the world. Twitter

[CoopersDad]

1. Pretty much FUCK Starbucks. I have avoided them since 2005.

Fuckers put smaller outlets out of business, seduced local governments to get special treatment.

Overpriced shit products. I'll take Dunkin Donuts if I want a chain, or Peets.

[TheFarseer]

2. So stupid

If you get a new job and can’t remote in, you have to move there! At least he didn’t do what the new ConAgra CEO did. He moved ConAgra HQ to where he already lived and disrupted thousands of people’s lives!

[hlthe2b]

3. The backlash will be intense. I won't pay ridiculous prices to destroy the environment even faster.

[nilram]

4. Yet another reason to boycott Starbucks

I’ve been allowing myself to go there during my rare road trips for the basically clean restrooms, but I am ready to downgrade my toilet experience. I’d rather piss in a bucket at this point.

[catrose]

5. I want to support the union-organizing employees, would like their stores to be extra successful

But then I am supporting CEOs like this. What to do?