Starbucks Appoints Former Taco Bell Execs to Drive Transformation
Seattle, WA - Starbucks (SBUX) has appointed two former Taco Bell executives, Mike Grams and Meredith Sandland, to key leadership positions. Grams joins as Chief Stores Officer and Sandland as Chief Store Development Officer. This move aligns with CEO Brian Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" strategy, aiming to enhance store operations and customer experience.
Grams brings extensive retail and operations leadership from Taco Bell, where he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer. Sandland has a proven track record in store development and innovation, having previously held senior roles at Taco Bell and Empower Delivery.
Both executives will play crucial roles in redesigning the retail operating model, emphasizing ownership, accountability, and enhanced customer focus. Grams will oversee retail teams, store performance, and customer solutions, while Sandland will lead store development strategy and design.
Sara Trilling, former President of Starbucks North America, and Arthur Valdez, former Chief Supply and Customer Solutions Officer, are departing the company. Niccol commented that Trilling's role will be split, as neither of the new positions was suitable for her. Valdez's successor will be announced soon.
This executive reshuffle signals Starbucks' commitment to transforming its retail operations and delivering a more compelling customer experience. The company anticipates reporting its first-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Tuesday after market close. Analysts expect revenue to decline slightly year-over-year, but a slight improvement in foot traffic is forecasted. Despite challenges in the market, Starbucks stock has outperformed the S&P 500 in the past six months.