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Culture December 2, 2016
Starbucks has a new merman in town.
Don’t worry – the iconic siren logo will still grace beloved cups. However, CEO Howard Schultz is switching to a new role as executive chairman and passing the coffee crown down to Kevin Johnson.
“I can’t try to be Howard [Schultz]. I’m not Howard,” Johnson, who currently serves as the company’s operating officer and president, told CNBC. Although he is stepping into Schultz’ shoes, Johnson intends to follow his own path as the next Starbucks CEO.
So what will this transition of power mean for consumers? The change in leadership may panic Starbucks lovers who are comfortable with the current trademarks, especially those attached to the holiday traditions of Pumpkin Spice Latte and festive cups.
READ MORE: Pair Your Pumpkin Spice Latte With NASA’s ‘Pumpkin’ Stars for Halloween
However, the current CEO speaks highly of his hand-picked replacement. Schultz stated his confidence in his successor, noting that Johnson has a better grasp of the company’s global expansion, adding that his extensive tech experience contributed to the popularity of Starbucks mobile pay.
This announcement coincides with other changes for the company. Aside from the CEO change coming in April, Starbucks will be debuting more high-end coffee shops – Reserve Roasteries – with the hefty price tag of $12, according to the Wall Street Journal video above.
READ MORE: Everything You Must Know About 2016’s Coffee Shop Trends and Café Customers
