MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz steps into new role as company shifts direction

Jul 25, 2016, 2:38 PM | Updated: 2:39 pm

Starbucks is changing it's leadership organization to grow the company in a new way, promoting higher-end coffee locations similar to the Roastery in Seattle. (Starbucks)

(Starbucks)

Seattle’s coffee giant is changing its recipe – corporately speaking.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced that he will be stepping away from certain duties at the company to focus his attention on growing its higher-end businesses. Such enterprises include Starbucks’ special reserve stores, a gourmet Italian bakery chain and its roasteries.

Jason Rantz: Baristas forced Starbucks to cut hours, now they’re upset

“Going forward, I will intensify my focus on our overall long-term strategy and innovation,” Schultz said Monday. “When the roastery opened in Seattle, I said it was a metaphor for our company in showcasing elevated levels of coffee innovation, design creativity and customer experience. … With its stunning success, we will now accelerate and globalize the roastery experience, building more roasteries in iconic cities, and threading the roastery experience into hundreds of coffee-forward Reserve stores around the world, which also will integrate the spectacular culinary experience of our new Italian food partner, Princi.”

The roasteries are a good example of Schultz’s efforts to up Starbucks’ game into a more boutique field. The company began with a pilot location on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The roasteries, which provide select coffees that are roasted and prepared on site in an artisan setting, are  considered to be the next generation of Starbucks. They have spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. The company recently announced it’s taking the concept internationally, to Shanghai, in 2017.

Customers and employees alike likely won’t notice much of a change — at least short-term. But Schultz said it is part of the company’s long-term growth.

While Schultz puts his energy to that side of the company, Kevin Johnson will be COO and president. Current COO John Culver will take on the role of group president of Starbucks Global Retail.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

8 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

12 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

14 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

15 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

15 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

18 hours ago

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz steps into new role as company shifts direction