Starbucks is providing its newly appointed CEO, Brian Niccol, with a personal aircraft for his travel between his residence in California and his workplace in Seattle.
The situation was disclosed last week in Niccol's employment agreement, which grants him a "little home office" in Newport Beach, California, and allows him to avoid relocating permanently to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters over 1,000 miles away. Starbucks provides him with a corporate aircraft for commuting.
A Starbucks representative stated to CNN, "Brian Niccol has demonstrated remarkable leadership in our sector, yielding substantial financial gains over an extended period. We trust in his expertise and ability to lead our global enterprise, ensuring lasting value for our team members, customers, and shareholders."
Niccol's private jet privilege has sparked discussion regarding the environmental consequences of such flights, as Starbucks has recently unveiled new eco-friendly cups and forsaken plastic straws.
Jet travel, whether by big commercial aircraft or small private aircraft, generates approximately 800 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually or more than 2% of overall global energy-related emissions, as per the International Energy Agency.
On Friday, Greenpeace shared on social media that this arrangement is "unacceptable" and included a link to a petition against private jets. Greenpeace declined to offer further comments when reached by CNN.
Although private jets consume less fuel than commercial jets, they are estimated to burn 10 times more per mile traveled per passenger due to their limited capacity, according to a study by the Institute for Policy Studies.
Niccol is expected to travel frequently, visiting stores and staff since he leads a global operation with 39,000 stores and 450,000 employees.
Starbucks announced in 2023 that their corporate employees must work from the office for three days a week. Employees residing near the company's headquarters are required to be present on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and an additional day agreed upon with managers.
Niccol earns a $1.6 million base salary and was given a $10 million signing bonus. His income will further vary based on the company's annual results, according to Starbucks' financial disclosures.
Starbucks announced earlier this month that Niccol would replace Laxman Narasimhan, whose tenure as CEO lasted less than two years. Niccol is charged with revitalizing Starbucks and replicating the success he has achieved at the Mexican-inspired food chain, Chipotle, over the past six years.
–CNN’s Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
Niccol's leadership in Starbucks has led to significant financial gains for the company in the business sector. Due to his role, he frequently travels in a corporate aircraft for business-related visits.
