After a long search, the coffee giant finally zeroed in on Patrick Grismer to be named the new finance chief
Grismer, who served as the head of finance at Hyatt Hotels (H) for about two years, will also assume the additional role of executive vice president at Starbucks by the end of November, coinciding with Maw’s departure. CEO Kevin Johnson is clearly betting on Grismer’s extensive experience in the food and beverages industry, serving a number of popular firms including Yum Brands (YUM) and KFC during a career spanning about the quarter of a century.
The change of guard in the finance department comes on the heels of the company announcing a major corporate rejig, including layoffs, across all markets. The focus of the overhaul is on deploying an ‘efficient’ leadership team that is quick at decision making and formulating growth strategies.
Loyalty members, sales push Starbucks profit higher in Q3
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Maybe, the management wants to make sure that the coffee chain’s operations do not get affected by the recent departure of its visionary leader Howard Schultz, the man who is responsible for Starbucks’ phenomenal growth from a local coffee shop to a global brand. Meanwhile, the efforts to put things in order suffered a jolt last month when Colman Cuff, head of the company’s coffee trading division, made an abrupt exit.
Market watchers are of the view that the restructuring initiative, along with aggressive promotional campaigns such as the customer loyalty rewards program, will lure customers back to the Starbucks stores.
The company’s shares are currently trading at the levels seen about twelve months ago, after witnessing some volatility during that period. The stock closed Monday’s trading session higher, after staying low throughout last week.
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