Starbucks has a brand new chief govt with a expertise for wrapping burritos. The espresso chain introduced Tuesday the appointment of Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, who will take the helm beginning Sept. 9.
The information comes simply 17 months after Starbucks employed Laxman Narasimhan to take the reins from founder (and returning CEO) Howard Schultz. Whereas Narasimhan spent six months coaching alongside baristas to learn to create the complete drink menu, his legacy was marred by conflicts with unions, plummeting gross sales, activist traders, and even his CEO predecessor. After what Narasimhan described as a “disappointing” second-quarter efficiency at Starbucks, Schulz blasted the corporate on LinkedIn, arguing the chain wanted to overtake its technique.
“At any company that misses badly, there must be contrition and renewed focus and discipline on the core,” he wrote. “Own the shortcoming without the slightest semblance of an excuse.”
Schulz appears extra inclined to again his firm’s new CEO, telling Mellody Hobson, the chain’s sixth-largest shareholder, that the rent of Niccol, who additionally beforehand served as Taco Bell’s CEO, was a “home run.”
Fortune met with Niccol in Could at a New York Metropolis Chipotle restaurant to be taught extra about how the serial C-suite govt spends his day working an organization that pulled in practically $3 billion in income final quarter.
Like Narasimhan, Niccol stated he additionally hung out coaching with workers at a Chipotle kitchen when he first joined to be taught the instruments of the commerce—most significantly, find out how to wrap the proper burrito.
“Wrapping a burrito is an art; you need some repetitions to do it fast,” he informed Fortune, however admitted he’s a “very slow burrito roller,” and ripped a couple of too many tortillas throughout coaching.
“You get a real appreciation for what it takes to get the restaurant ready, both from morning prep standpoint, and then how to handle a peak, and then also what it takes to close a restaurant,” he stated.
Chipotle portion debate
The fast-casual chain has just lately come underneath fireplace from clients slamming its supposedly shrinking portion sizes on social media.
Within the Could interview with Fortune, Niccol stated “portions have not gotten smaller,” and supplied a tip for scoring a much bigger bowl: Give staff a secret look. Nevertheless, Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem and his workforce later determined to “put the ‘weight debate’ to rest” by evaluating the dimensions of 75 burrito bowls, and located the orders to be wildly inconsistent.
Following the discharge of Chipotle’s second-quarter earnings in July, Niccol addressed the portion debate, telling traders there was “never a directive to provide less to our customers,” and dedicated to creating parts extra normal.
“Generous portion is a core brand equity of Chipotle,” Niccol stated on the earnings name. “It always has been, and it always will be.”
Now, with practically a decade of expertise as CEO of Fortune 500 corporations underneath his belt, Niccol is prepared for a brand new chapter with Starbucks. He informed Fortune the key to juggling his work-life steadiness is taking management of his calendar.
“Somebody recommended this to me: if you say yes to a work activity or a personal activity, then that means yes,” he informed Fortune, including, “you also have to say no to things.”
The CEO, who spends his weekends studying, enjoying golf, or moonlighting as an “average photographer,” gave Fortune an unique have a look at his day by day routine, which kicks off brilliant and early at 5:45 a.m.
Burritos, conferences, and the important thing to work-life steadiness
5:45 a.m.: Niccol instantly begins his morning getting up to the mark on the information of the day, studying the Wall Avenue Journal and turning on CNBC’s Squawk Field whereas having fun with his first cup of espresso. He estimates he consumes three or 4 cups per day.
The chief govt prefers espresso, particularly a superb Americano: “Always hot, and if I can, I like to have a cookie with it.”
7 a.m.: Niccol readies himself for a exercise, alternating between energy coaching, weight lifting, and a “run-slash-walk.”
“I am 50, so I don’t want to run too much,” he jokes.
Breakfast sometimes consists of a shake with fruit, oats, peanut butter, and protein powder, or Niccol will swap up the menu with eggs and sausage. Following his meal, Niccol drives his youngest daughter to highschool earlier than heading to work.
8:30 a.m.: After a 15-minute commute by way of the scenic views of Newport Seaside, Calif.,, Niccol arrives at Chipotle’s headquarters. He begins his day checking in together with his assistant for a short run-down of conferences and goals.
His first hour is spent answering emails, setting the schedule for the week. Round 10 a.m., Niccol heads to the workforce’s first workers assembly for a two-hour-long agenda during which his direct reviews present challenge updates.
“We come together to talk about their respective parts of the business and how it’s impacting the overall performance,” he stated.
12 p.m.: At Chipotle HQ, lunch is a “highlight of the day,” Niccol stated. Earlier than you ask, “of course we have Chipotle.”
The chief govt admits, nonetheless, he doesn’t eat the grilled menu every single day: “If I could, I would, but not every day.”
His go-to order is a rooster bowl with white rice, fajita veggies, pico de gallo, and a little bit little bit of cheese. His full order additionally features a barbacoa quesadilla and chips and guacamole on the aspect.
“It’s probably a little too much food for my age,” he stated. “But you know, it’s hard to resist.”
1 p.m.: Following lunch, Niccol falls proper again into the day by day grind, fielding telephone calls, studying supplies, and making ready for upcoming conferences.
His workforce then assembles for a strategic initiatives assembly for one more several-hours-long dialog to overview key objects they’re engaged on.
3:30 p.m.: The tail finish of Niccol’s day is devoted to one-on-one conferences with firm leaders earlier than wrapping up round 5:30 p.m.
“I do try to end the day where you don’t have any meetings or phone calls so that you can kind of just think through what happened throughout the day,” he stated. “What do you think you want to talk about tomorrow? Or are we working on the right things? And are we talking about the right stuff?”
Niccol dedicates 20 to half-hour to replicate on the work day and plan forward for the subsequent day’s objectives earlier than heading house.
6:30 p.m.: Niccol helps put together a meal for his household together with his spouse, Jennifer. Round 7 p.m., the household congregates to eat, however with their busy schedules, it’s “not usually a sit-down dinner,” Niccol stated.
“The kids complain about what they didn’t particularly like that we made,” he stated. After dinner, Niccol and his spouse stroll their miniature golden Labradoodle, Fortunate, and their routes usually cross by way of Corona del Mar State Seaside.
“Usually, the walk with the dog is about a 20-to-30-minute walk,” he stated “I could go longer, but he doesn’t want to walk as much anymore.”
9 p.m.: Niccol and his household wind down by watching TV collectively. Their typical rotation features a Netflix present–they just lately completed The Gents—or ESPN’s SportsCenter. Lately, they’ve spent evenings watching his youngest daughter’s favourite present: Trendy Household.
“I feel like I’ve rewatched all of them,” he stated. “We’re in, I think, season 10 or 11. It’s a funny show.”
After winding down together with his household, the CEO often heads to mattress with “lights out by 10.”
