Starbucks’ new boss has not yet taken up his post, but his working conditions are already causing controversy: Brian Niccol will have access to a jet belonging to the American group to travel to the headquarters, located around 1,600 kilometres from his home.
“You will be able to use the company plane to […] travel between your city of residence and the company’s headquarters in Seattle, Washington,” said the board’s letter offering the position to the executive, published Thursday on the stock market watchdog’s website.
A former CEO of the Mexican fast food chain Chipotle, Brian Niccol lives in Newport Beach, a California town south of Los Angeles, about a 2 hour 40 minute flight from Seattle.
“During the term of your employment with the Company, you will not be required to relocate to the Company’s headquarters,” the letter states.
“You agree to commute between your home and the Company’s headquarters (and make other business trips) in the performance of your duties and responsibilities.”
The news has caused controversy on social media, with some users accusing Starbucks of hypocrisy as the coffee chain regularly highlights its environmental efforts, such as eliminating plastic straws.
Environmental activists accuse private jet users of causing much higher CO2 emissions than commercial flights, and some associations have stepped up actions against these planes.
Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request from AFP.
Like many other companies, Starbucks requires its administrative employees to come into the office at least three days a week, and the new boss will be no exception.
It will also have a relocated office in Newport Beach.
The company, which has been suffering from a drop in activity for several months in a context of rising prices and pressure from shareholders, announced at the beginning of August the departure with immediate effect of its boss Laxman Narasimhan, in office for 16 months.
Brian Niccol will be paid an annual base salary of $1.6 million.