Starbucks North America CEO retires after 8 months; no replacement planned

Michael Conway, the CEO of Starbucks North America, has announced his retirement, effective November 30, after just eight months in the role. Notably, the position will not be filled following his departure.

Conway made his decision known last week, as detailed in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. His brief tenure began in April when he was appointed to this newly created position during a leadership reshuffle orchestrated by former CEO Laxman Narasimhan.

Prior to his role as North America CEO, Conway held significant positions within the company, serving as the group president of international and channel development as well as president of Starbucks Canada. He has been with Starbucks for 11 years and will remain with the company to ensure a smooth transition until his retirement.

In place of Conway, Starbucks has announced that Sara Trilling, the North American president, will take the reins of retail operations within the region. Trilling’s impressive 22-year tenure with Starbucks has included roles such as senior vice president of its north division, where she was responsible for overseeing around 3,500 stores.

The decision to streamline its leadership structure aims to enhance efficiency in decision-making processes, as stated by Starbucks in a communication with the Wall Street Journal.

This news follows a recent leadership change at Starbucks, where Brian Niccol, the former CEO of Chipotle, was appointed as the new top executive. His arrival is considered a significant shift for the company’s leadership team.

Starbucks has faced ongoing challenges in its North American operations. Complex drink orders, rising prices, and variable foot traffic have placed considerable strain on staff and impacted profitability. Additionally, the company has faced scrutiny from former CEO Howard Schultz and has been under pressure from public boycotts.

In a note detailing his vision, Niccol expressed intentions to rejuvenate the company’s operations and enhance the customer experience, highlighting a commitment to addressing these recent operational issues.

Starbucks has not issued a comment regarding Conway’s retirement or the leadership changes following his stepping down.