Starbucks has announced the immediate departure of its CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, and the appointment of Brian Niccol, the current CEO of Chipotle, as his successor. This move has sparked widespread attention and debate on social media. Narasimhan, who took the helm at Starbucks not long ago, is stepping down from his role "with immediate effect" and will also resign from the company's board of directors. In the interim, Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri will serve as the acting CEO until Niccol officially assumes his new position.
The leadership change coincides with renewed interest in a recent interview Narasimhan gave to Fortune Magazine, where he discussed his approach to work-life balance. Narasimhan revealed that he generally avoids working past 6 pm, unless the matter is "very important." This statement has fueled mixed reactions across social media platforms.
A viral post summarising the situation read, "Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan recently said that he doesn’t work past 6 pm and that if anyone at Starbucks gets a minute of his time after 6 pm they ‘better be sure that it’s important’. He was just fired today."
Social media users weighed in with varying opinions. One user observed, "If you say something like this when the stock price is doing well, you sound like a genius. But if it's not doing well… you get fired." Another quipped, "Maybe he just needs to drink coffee," while a third noted, "He’s not gonna have to worry about working past six anymore."
Despite the criticisms, some defended Narasimhan, pointing out his substantial net worth and implying that his financial security would cushion the impact of his departure. One comment read, "He’s worth $25-50 million. I’m sure he’ll be alright. I’d probably take my foot off the gas a little at a point too."
As Starbucks enters this new chapter, the company is placing its bets on Niccol, who is widely recognised for his successful tenure at Chipotle. His leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective and new direction to the Seattle-based coffee giant.