On June 4, the Board of Directors of Starbucks Corporation appointed Mike Grams, currently EVP, North America chief coffeehouse officer, to the position of chief operating officer, a reinstated position in the company’s executive leadership team, effective immediately. In addition to leading the company’s North American coffeehouses, Grams will now oversee global coffeehouse development and global supply chain.
Grams, age 55, joined the company in February 2025, after nearly thirty years at Taco Bell Corp. where he held various leadership positions within the company, including President and Chief Operating Officer from 2020 to 2024, Global Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, North America from 2017 to 2020 and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Development Officer from 2015 to 2019.
In connection with his appointment, Grams’ base salary will be increased from $700,000 per year to $900,000 per year, and his annual incentive bonus target will be increased from 100 percent of base salary to 125 percent of base salary, which will, in each case, be prorated for fiscal year 2025.
On June 4, 2025, the company also announced that Brad Lerman would no longer serve as the company’s evp, chief legal officer, as of a date to be determined. The company anticipates that Lerman will continue to serve as chief legal officer until his successor has been identified and is in role. Lerman’s separation from the company meets the conditions of the “without cause” provisions of the company’s Executive Severance and Change in Control Plan for purposes of all plan benefits thereunder.
Starbucks announced a host of other leadership changes as well:
Meredith Sandland, EVP and chief development officer, and Sanjay Shah, EVP and chief supply chain officer, will now report to Grams. CEO Brian Niccol said he’s “excited to bring these functions together and to see the impact of Meredith, Sanjay, and Mike working more closely to elevate the design, build, and operations of our coffeehouses and to deliver a world-class supply chain that empowers our green apron partners and delights our customers.”
He also noted Starbucks is bringing the Global Coffee and Sustainability team and the Global Brand team together. “Coffee is at the heart of Starbucks, and this change will further cement coffee at the core of our menu, product innovation, and marketing. It will also help us further embed sustainability in our products, packaging, and operations,” Niccol said.
Michelle Burns, EVP, Global Coffee and Sustainability will report to Tressie Lieberman, EVP, global chief brand officer.
Deb Hall Lefevre, EVP, chief technology officer, will now report to Cathy Smith, EVP, chief financial officer. “Delivering world class technology that enables our partners to craft high-quality beverages and spend more meaningful time with customers is a priority. It’s an important area of investment and I know that working together Deb and Cathy will help us accelerate this work,” Niccol said.
“Deb, Meredith, Michelle and Sanjay will continue to serve on our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), alongside my direct reports: Brady Brewer (CEP, International), Dominic Carr (EVP, chief communications and corporate affairs officer), Mike Grams (chief operating officer), Sara Kelly (evp, chief partner officer), Brad Lerman (evp, chief legal officer), Tressie Lieberman (evp, global chief brand officer), Molly Liu (ceo, China), Cathy Smith (evp, chief financial officer),” he added.
“Across our U.S. coffeehouses, the SSC, and around the world, we’ve driven significant change in the last few months. We’re getting back to Starbucks,” Niccol said. “I deeply appreciate all the work everyone is doing. We’re refocusing on the customer, supporting our green apron partners, and acting like owners. We’re testing, learning, and moving quickly. I’m confident these organizational changes will help us go even faster.”
