Starbucks Announces Leadership Changes with Addition of Two Former Taco Bell Executives

Prime Highlights: 

Starbucks announces the addition of two former Taco Bell executives, Meredith Sandland and Mike Grams, to key leadership roles. 

CEO Brian Niccol introduces a new operating structure for Starbucks’ retail team, emphasizing clearer ownership and accountability. 

The position of North American President is split, with Sara Trilling departing after 22 years. Sandland will take on the role of Chief Store Development Officer, and Grams will become North America Chief Stores Officer. 

Key Background:  

Starbucks has made further changes to its leadership team, bringing in two former Taco Bell executives as part of its broader strategy to revitalize the company. The move was unveiled by CEO Brian Niccol, who emphasized the need for a new operating model to drive clearer ownership and accountability within the retail team. 

As part of this shake-up, Starbucks will divide the role of North American president into two distinct positions. Sara Trilling, the current president, will depart after 22 years with the company. Starting in February, Meredith Sandland, former Chief Development Officer at Taco Bell, will assume the role of Chief Store Development Officer. Sandland has extensive experience in restaurant operations, having also served as CEO of Empower Delivery. Additionally, Mike Grams, who spent over 30 years at Taco Bell and rose to the position of Global Chief Operating Officer, will join Starbucks as North America Chief Stores Officer. Both Sandland and Grams will be integral to implementing Niccol’s vision for the company’s transformation, which includes reducing service times, enhancing the in-store experience, and streamlining the menu. 

The announcement came just hours before Starbucks released its fiscal first-quarter results, which exceeded Wall Street’s expectations. However, the company continues to face challenges, with same-store sales declining for the fourth consecutive quarter, albeit at a slower rate than analysts had predicted. 

Niccol, who joined Starbucks in September after serving as CEO of Taco Bell’s parent company Yum Brands, has already recruited several former colleagues to join him in reshaping Starbucks, including Tressie Lieberman, who became Global Chief Brand Officer in the fall. Additionally, Arthur Valdez, Starbucks’ Chief Supply Officer, will be leaving the company after a short tenure. Niccol noted that a successor has been identified and will be announced soon. These changes reflect Starbucks’ efforts to adapt to evolving consumer demands and reinvigorate its brand amidst ongoing challenges in the retail landscape.