Starbucks North America CEO Michael Conway retires
Michael Conway Credit: Starbucks
After less than six months in the role, Michael Conway is calling it quits as CEO of Starbucks North America, effective today. According to Seattle, Washington-based Starbucks, Conway has elected to retire and will remain with the company as an executive advisor through the end of November 2024, ending 11 years with the coffee giant. He was named to the newly created position of CEO, Starbucks North America in April 2024. The announcement comes days after Brian Niccol began his tenure as chairman and CEO of Starbucks Corporation.
Previously, he was group president, international and Channel Development where he was responsible for leading Starbucks retail growth and operations in 80 markets across Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and growth for the Global Channel Development business which consists of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Ready to Drink (RTD) businesses, as well as strategic partnerships including those with Nestlé, PepsiCo and other key business partners.
Since Conway joined Starbucks in 2013, he has held a range of leadership roles, including EVP and president, Starbucks Canada; EVP and president for Starbucks Licensed Stores business for the United States and Latin America; EVP and president of Starbucks global channel development; and EVP and president, international licensed markets where he was responsible for the growth, development and consistency of operations across more than 8,000 international stores.
In a surprise move last month, Starbucks named Brian Niccol as its new CEO and chairman, replacing Laxman Narasimhan after the company’s comparable sales fell for the second straight quarter this year. Narasimhan was appointed to the position in 2023.
Niccol plans to focus on reinvigorating coffeehouse culture at the chain’s stores in the US. In his first week at the job, Niccol said in an open letter he would initially focus on U.S. stores delivering drinks and food on time and elevating in-store experience for customers in a bid to “reestablish the brand as the community coffeehouse.”
There needs to be a clear distinction between “to-go” and “for-here” services at the stores, the former CEO of Chipotle wrote. Niccol said he would spend time in stores, meeting with suppliers and partners in a bid to improve the company’s supply chain as well as its app and mobile ordering platform.
“In some places – especially in the US – we aren’t always delivering. It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too long or the handoff too hectic. These moments are opportunities for us to do better,” he added.
