Brian Niccol, the newly appointed CEO of Starbucks, has found himself at the center of a controversy even before officially taking up his role. Niccol, who will begin his tenure on September 9, 2024, plans to commute nearly 1,000 miles from his home in Newport Beach, California, to Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle using a corporate private jet.
According to the offer letter made public in an SEC filing, Niccol will be expected to report to the Seattle office three times a week, aligning with Starbucks’ hybrid work policy. While other employees will commute by car or public transportation, Niccol’s use of a private jet has sparked significant criticism.
Critics argue that this mode of transportation starkly contrasts with Starbucks’ commitment to sustainability. Private jets are known to be one of the most polluting forms of travel, emitting five to fourteen times more pollution per passenger than commercial flights and fifty times more than trains.
This has led to accusations of corporate hypocrisy, especially given Starbucks’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote environmental sustainability.
The backlash has been swift and vocal. Social media users have mocked the company for its perceived double standards, highlighting the irony of promoting paper straws and cups while allowing the CEO to travel by private jet. Climate activists have also condemned the move, calling it a symbol of social and climate injustice.
In response to the criticism, Starbucks has stated that Niccol’s schedule will meet or exceed the company’s hybrid work guidelines. The company emphasized that Niccol will spend the majority of his time in the Seattle office and will also have a home in Seattle.