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Starbucks Returns to Its Roots: Big Changes Under CEO Brian Niccol

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol

Starbucks is undergoing a major transformation under the leadership of Brian Niccol, who became Chairman and CEO on 9th September 2024. Facing challenges such as declining sales in key markets like the U.S. and China, as well as a drop in its share price, Niccol has stepped in with bold changes. These changes aim to restore Starbucks’ connection with customers and improve their experience. Niccol’s goal is to return Starbucks to its roots, again making it the “third place”—a welcoming spot between home and work where people can relax, work, and enjoy coffee.

The Three Biggest Changes Starbucks is Making

  1. Faster and More Efficient Service
    Niccol has set a goal of reducing customer wait times to under four minutes per order. At present, about half of Starbuck’s orders meet this target, but the company plans to address the bottlenecks that slow down the other half. Niccol will improve staffing during rush hours, streamline the menu, and eliminate inefficiencies to increase speed. Additionally, mobile orders and drive-thru services will undergo improvements to speed up service. Service will become more efficient, benefiting both customers and employees.
  2. Simplifying the Menu
    Starbucks’ extensive menu has frustrated both customers and employees. Niccol plans to trim the menu so baristas can focus on making fewer but better drinks. The first major casualty of this plan is the Oleato line of olive-oil-infused beverages, which Starbucks will discontinue in most locations. Customers will still be able to customize their drinks, but Starbucks will introduce “customization guardrails” to make the process easier for baristas and customers. This simplification will improve consistency and reduce errors. Customers will enjoy a more straightforward ordering process.
  3. Revamping the Store Experience
    To recapture the “third place” experience, Niccol focuses on redesigning Starbucks stores. For example, he plans to bring back ceramic mugs, add more comfortable seating, and create separate areas for mobile order pickups. Additionally, personalized touches, such as writing customers’ names on cups, will return, and Starbucks will reintroduce coffee-condiment bars for customer customization. Niccol believes these changes will help transform Starbucks into a community coffeehouse, where people feel welcome to spend time. As a result, customers can expect a more inviting and relaxing atmosphere.

A Closer Look at These Changes

Niccol’s efforts to speed up service start by addressing operational inefficiencies. Baristas face staffing shortages during peak hours, which lead to delays. Starbucks plans to increase staffing during busy times and invest in better equipment to improve the in-store experience. Niccol emphasized that Starbucks will be “maniacal” about eliminating service delays, especially at the counter. Furthermore, the company will separate mobile orders from in-store pickups to streamline the process. This way, customers who prefer to relax inside can enjoy a more seamless experience.

The decision to simplify the menu aligns with Niccol’s broader strategy to return Starbucks to its core identity as a premium coffee company. Niccol said Wednesday during the company’s earnings call:

“To enhance throughput, quality, and consistency, we’re simplifying our complex menu to align with our identity as a coffee company. We’ll maintain customer choice but focus on fewer, better offerings.”

While customers will still have a variety of choices, the company will focus on delivering fewer, better options. Removing Oleato beverages is just the beginning, and while Starbucks hasn’t confirmed what else may be removed, it’s clear that the goal is to ease baristas’ workload and improve drink consistency.

Niccol also sees Starbucks’ physical stores as key to the company’s revival. In particular, he wants to redesign stores to make them more inviting and comfortable for customers. In-store customers will again enjoy coffee in ceramic mugs, and more comfortable seating and communal spaces will encourage customers to relax. This shift is part of Starbucks’ efforts to return to its roots and foster a sense of community and connection—values that were lost when the focus shifted to speed and mobile orders in recent years. Thus, Starbucks aims to bring back the spirit of the “third place” and remind customers why they loved visiting Starbucks in the first place.

In terms of customer experience, Niccol said on the company’s recent earnings call:

“One of the other things we’re gonna be bringing back is bringing the Sharpies back to our baristas, and it’s going to give them the opportunity to put that additional human touch on every coffee experience as well. So there’s a lot of—I think there’s a lot of just simple things that go a long way of saying, you know what, this is a community place, this is a special place where people are here to connect. And I think we can do that in a really meaningful way.”

The Leadership Behind the Changes: CEO Brian Niccol

Brian Niccol became Starbucks’ Chairman and CEO on September 9, 2024. Before joining Starbucks, Niccol led Chipotle through an impressive transformation. He took on the role of CEO in 2018, and under his leadership, Chipotle’s revenue nearly doubled, profits grew sevenfold, and its stock price surged by nearly 800%. His focus on people, culture, operational excellence, menu innovation, and digital transformation led to significant growth and set new industry standards. Moreover, Niccol’s leadership ensured Chipotle’s success even amid industry challenges.

Niccol’s leadership experience also includes his time as CEO of Taco Bell, where he reshaped the brand and drove growth. Before becoming CEO, he held leadership roles at Pizza Hut and Yum! Brands. Niccol started his career in brand management at Procter & Gamble. Given his success in leading Chipotle and Taco Bell, Starbucks is now poised for a similar turnaround under his guidance.

Niccol’s approach to Starbucks mirrors the strategies he employed at Chipotle. He prioritizes operational efficiency, customer experience, and a return to Starbucks’ core values. His hands-on approach includes gathering feedback directly from customers and employees, making quick decisions to address concerns, and ensuring Starbucks’ stores are places where people want to spend time. In particular, Niccol is focusing on reconnecting with Starbucks’ essence—the community spirit and personalized service.

These changes are currently being rolled out in the U.S., and once operations there are smooth, they will be expanded to global locations.

With Niccol at the helm, Starbucks is set for a revitalization. His leadership will focus on improving the customer experience, streamlining operations, and restoring the sense of community that once made Starbucks a beloved brand worldwide.

Feature image via Starbucks website

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Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

On April 19, 2025, Marriott International celebrated the success of 31 apprentices who graduated from the second batch of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The special ceremony took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and featured key dignitaries, including Hon. Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with other officials from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Mark Fletcher, Marriott’s Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore and the Maldives, also attended to acknowledge the graduates’ achievements.

Hon. Ibrahim Waheed highlighted the program’s role in empowering the youth of the Maldives, commenting, “Today, we celebrate 31 apprenticeship graduates. These are 31 futures redefined—each a testament to what happens when opportunity meets action. To our apprentices, you step forward as ambassadors of possibility. And to Marriott International, thank you for not just supporting this program, but for championing it—your commitment to mentorship and local capacity building is truly admirable.”

A Collaborative Effort in Hospitality Training

The Marriott Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative effort between Marriott International, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and MIT. This 10-month program provides participants with a well-rounded education that includes theoretical lessons at MIT and hands-on experience at various Marriott resorts across the Maldives. Specifically, the apprentices received training in several key hospitality sectors, including front office operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

By partnering with the Maldivian government, Marriott became the first international hospitality brand to support such an apprenticeship initiative in the country, reinforcing its dedication to developing local talent. In this way, the program supports Marriott’s broader mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing Maldivian tourism industry.

Practical Experience Across Marriott’s Maldives Resorts

The apprentices completed their theoretical training at MIT before gaining practical experience at Marriott’s luxurious properties in the Maldives, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; W Maldives; Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa; Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

True to the company’s guiding principle of “We Put People First,” Marriott focuses on helping young professionals grow and succeed. As a result of their hard work, all the graduates received Level-3 certification, officially recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This certification acknowledges their successful completion of both the academic and practical components of the program, preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

Mark Fletcher reflected on the program’s origins, noting, “When we launched this program in 2023, it was envisioned as a pilot, a leap of faith, grounded in belief. A belief in crafting talents of Maldivian youth, belief in the strength and collaboration, and belief in Marriott’s commitment to “take care” – not just our people but the communities where we serve. What began as an initiative is now a movement, and Marriott International is proud to be the first international hospitality brand to officially launch such apprenticeship program in the Maldives”

Ultimately, this graduation marks a key milestone in Marriott’s efforts to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ tourism industry by fostering a talented and skilled local workforce. Marriott looks forward to watching its graduates embark on successful careers and continue playing an essential role in the growth of the country’s hospitality sector.

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