Starbucks’ new CEO is facing criticism for his 1,000-mile commute by private jet, even as the company preaches about saving the planet.
Brian Niccol, 50, who will take over as CEO next month, has struck a sweet deal that will allow him to live in sunny Newport Beach, California, and fly to Starbucks’ Seattle headquarters at the company’s expense for up to $250,000 a year.
The arrangement, which includes millions of dollars in salary as well as use of the company jet for weekly 2,000-mile round-trip flights, has sparked outrage among environmentalists who have accused Starbucks of “climate change hypocrisy.”
This comes as Starbucks moves forward with plans to serve drinks in reusable cups as part of its much-publicized sustainability initiative.
The coffee chain has a webpage dedicated to its sustainability efforts, highlighting its mission to “strive for a sustainable future.”
Brian Niccol, 50, who will take over as Starbucks CEO next month, has struck a sweet deal that will allow him to live in sunny Newport Beach, California, and fly to Starbucks headquarters in Seattle at the company’s expense.
The arrangement, which includes millions of dollars in salary as well as use of the company jet for weekly 2,000-mile roundtrip flights, has sparked outrage from environmentalists who accuse Starbucks of “climate change hypocrisy.”
“We are committed to becoming resource positive – to give more than we take from the planet. We will store more carbon than we emit, eliminate waste, and conserve and replenish more freshwater than we use,” it says.
The company also said it aims to “halve its carbon, water and waste footprints by 2030.”
The package for the new CEO includes a whopping base salary of $1.6 million with a potential annual bonus of up to $7.2 million, as well as stock options worth up to $23 million.
The arrangement, disclosed in an SEC filing last week, naturally includes the corporate jet for his weekly 2,000-mile round-trip flight and an off-site office in Newport Beach.
The offer letter stated that Niccol’s “would not be required to relocate to the Company’s headquarters,” but that they “would agree to a commute from your home to the Company’s headquarters.”
It was explained that he could use the company jet for “business travel” and for “interstate travel” [his] place of residence and the company’s headquarters.’
Meanwhile, the new CEO’s package includes a whopping $1.6 million base salary with a potential annual bonus of up to $7.2 million, as well as stock options worth up to $23 million (Pictured: Brian Niccol smiling while playing golf)
A Starbucks spokesperson insisted that Niccol would still be spending “the majority of his time” in Seattle, saying his schedule would “exceed hybrid work guidelines” for other employees.
“Brian will be headquartered and spend the majority of his time in our Seattle Support Center or visiting partners and customers in our stores, roasteries, distilleries and offices around the world,” the spokesperson said. CNBC.
“His schedule exceeds hybrid work guidelines and the expectations we have for all partners.”
Steve Milloy, founder of junkscience.com, expressed his outrage over the X deal.
It’s “a double dose of climate hypocrisy from Starbucks,” he wrote in a tweet that has been viewed thousands of times.
Niccol’s supercommute comes as Starbucks moves ahead with plans to serve drinks in reusable cups, part of its much-publicized sustainability campaign
Steve Milloy, founder of junkscience.com, expressed outrage over the deal on X. It’s a “double dose of climate hypocrisy from Starbucks,” he wrote in a tweet that has been viewed thousands of times
“Starbucks plans to serve you coffee in a used cup to save the planet… Meanwhile, new CEO Brian Niccol will commute 1,000 miles to work by private jet,” he added.
‘Think back to the hypocritical climate fanatic @schwarzenegger who, as governor, traveled from Los Angeles to Sacramento on a private jet.’
An angry user commented: ‘Man this is insane!!’
‘DO WHAT I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO!’ Basically every clim****!’ wrote another.
Niccol was already criticized after his hiring and was expected to earn over $100 million in his first year, making it one of the largest signings ever in the US.