MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson retiring, Howard Schultz to serve in interim role

Mar 16, 2022, 6:19 AM

Starbucks, Johnson...

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson speaks during the company's annual shareholders meeting at WAMU Theater, on March 20, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

Starbucks Corporation announced Wednesday that Kevin Johnson, the company’s president and chief executive officer, intends to retire this year.

With four Seattle Starbucks pushing to unionize, one greenlights election date

Johnson has been with Starbucks for 13 years, including the last five years as CEO. He will transition from his current role on April 4, 2022, according to Starbucks, and will continue to serve as a Starbucks employee and special consultant to the company and Board of Directors through September 2022.

The board of directors says it anticipates selecting a new leader by the fall. Until that successor is named, founder Howard Schultz will serve as interim CEO.

Johnson has served on the board of directors since 2009, joining the leadership team in 2015 as president and chief operating officer. In 2017, he was named president and CEO, succeeding founder Schultz.

“A year ago, I signaled to the Board that as the global pandemic neared an end, I would be considering retirement from Starbucks. I feel this is a natural bookend to my 13 years with the company,” Johnson said in a written statement. “As I make this transition, we are very fortunate to have a founder who is able to step in on an interim basis, giving the Board time to further explore potential candidates and make the right long-term succession decision for the company.”

“I have enjoyed every minute of the job and am proud of what we have achieved together. It has been an honor to serve the 400,000 Starbucks green apron partners around the world and I want to thank them for their service, resilience and optimism.”

Starbucks employees at first unionized store say it’s gone from ‘a local issue to national’

Schultz is volunteering his time as interim CEO and will receive $1 of compensation.

Johnson and Schultz will provide an update to shareholders Wednesday at the annual meeting of shareholders via a webcast at 10 a.m.

MyNorthwest News

wa ai tech workplace jobs...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘There are winners, there are losers’: WA economist puts AI’s workplace impact in the context of earlier technology shifts

Explore how AI is reshaping jobs in Washington as the chief labor economist analyzes its effects on the tech industry and workforce trends.

12 minutes ago

vancouver beauty school 87-year-old crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

87-year-old driver crashes into Vancouver beauty school with 50 students inside

An 87-year-old woman crashed her car into a Vancouver beauty school with roughly 50 students inside over the weekend.

39 minutes ago

Seattle rv parking vote...

Luke Duecy

Seattle RV parking vote raises questions about towing, Homestead Act protections

Seattle City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a package of legislation restricting where people living in recreational vehicles can park overnight.

1 hour ago

pierce county death father...

Regan Gallo-Fenz, MyNorthwest Staff

Pierce County father arrested in connection with son’s fentanyl death nearly 20 months later

Kyler Lawrence is in custody in connection with the fentanyl death of his son. The incident dates back to March 2025 when it happened at the family's home.

2 hours ago

Kitsap County scam...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7

Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office warns of law enforcement impersonation scams

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office has issued a public warning regarding phone scams involving callers who impersonate law enforcement officers.

3 hours ago

costco tequila lawsuit...

Michael Strite

Seattle judge dismisses Costco tequila lawsuit, citing Mexico’s authority over the spirit

A class action lawsuit over Costco's Kirkland Signature tequila was dismissed by a Seattle federal judge Friday.

3 hours ago

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson retiring, Howard Schultz to serve in interim role