Starbucks has provided its new chief government using a company jet for his 1,000-mile commute.
The agency mentioned Brian Niccol may proceed to stay at his residence in Newport Seashore, California, and use the plane to journey to its places of work in Seattle, Washington, when he takes up the position subsequent month.
The world’s largest espresso chain mentioned the 50-year-old could be anticipated to work no less than three days every week at its headquarters, when not in any other case travelling for work.
Critics mentioned it undermined Starbucks’s pledge to halve its carbon footprint by 2030 by way of environmentally pleasant measures akin to eliminating its use of plastic straws.
Mr Niccol will probably be paid a base annual wage of $1.6m (£1.2m) – however may earn as much as $100m (£76m) in fairness and bonus funds in his first 12 months, it was additionally revealed.
He will probably be eligible to make use of the company jet for “business-related journey”, “journey between [his] metropolis of residence and the corporate’s headquarters”, and “private journey”, in accordance with firm insurance policies, of as much as $250,000 (£191,000) per 12 months.
One other perk will probably be using a distant workplace arrange by the agency in Newport Seashore, with an assistant of his selecting additionally offered.
A Starbucks spokesperson advised CNBC: “Brian’s main workplace and a majority of his time will probably be spent in our Seattle Help Middle or out visiting companions and clients in our shops, roasteries, roasting amenities and places of work around the globe.
“His schedule will exceed the hybrid work tips and office expectations we have now for all companions.”
It comes after the outgoing boss of burrito chain Chipotle was introduced as the corporate’s new chief government following the sudden departure of Laxman Narasimhan earlier this month.
Starbucks has just lately been affected by falling gross sales, attributed to weaker demand amid value rises and boycotts associated to the battle in Gaza.
Mr Niccol, who has additionally held senior positions at main US meals chains together with Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, has been credited with reworking Chipotle’s fortunes – together with serving to to almost double its income below his management.
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Nevertheless, the company jet coverage sparked a backlash on-line and from marketing campaign teams.
Alethea Warrington, from local weather charity Potential, mentioned the plan “makes an totally grotesque mockery of any claims by this firm to be a accountable company citizen on the subject of the local weather”.
She added: “If Starbucks is remotely severe about slicing its carbon footprint by 2030, this could begin from the highest down.”
In the meantime, on social media, one person wrote: “No firm who actually cares in regards to the local weather would comply with this.”
One other added: “How can anybody justify a 1,000-mile commute by personal jet? Makes Starbucks sustainably coverage appear to be greenwashing.”
A spokesperson for thinktank the Excessive Pay Centre mentioned: “It is essential in enterprise management that workers can see that it is not one rule for them and one rule for his or her bosses.
“It will come throughout as unfair and poor management if Niccol isn’t capable of match the workplace presence that the corporate is demanding of its workers.”
Sky Information has approached Starbucks for remark.