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Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol slammed for outrageous super-commute in company's private jet: 'Double shot of climate hypocrisy!'

2 months ago 14

Starbucks' incoming CEO has been slammed for his 1,000-mile super-commute by private jet - all while the company preaches about saving the planet.

Brian Niccol, 50, who takes over as CEO next month, has struck a sweet deal allowing him to live in sunny Newport Beach, California, and fly to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters on the company's dime for up to $250,000 per year.

The arrangement, which includes use of the corporate jet for weekly 2,000-mile round trips in addition to millions of dollars in salary - has sparked outrage among environmental campaigners who accuse Starbucks of 'climate change hypocrisy'.

Niccol's compensation package includes a $1.6million base salary, bonuses of up to $7million a year and equity awards the value of which could exceed $100million.  

It comes as Starbucks pushes ahead with plans to serve drinks in reusable cups, part of its highly-publicized sustainability drive. 

The coffee chain has dedicated a webpage to its sustainability efforts, focusing on its mission to 'strive for a sustainable future.'

Brian Niccol, 50, who takes over as CEO of Starbucks next month, has struck a sweet deal allowing him to live in sunny Newport Beach, California , and fly to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters on the company's dime

The arrangement, which includes use of the corporate jet for weekly 2,000-mile round trips in addition to millions of dollars in salary, has sparked outrage among environmental campaigners who accuse Starbucks of 'climate change hypocrisy' 

'We are committed to becoming resource positive – to give more than we take from the planet. We will store more carbon than we emit, eliminate waste and conserve and replenish more freshwater than we use,' it states. 

The company said it is also dedicated to reducing their 'carbon, water and waste footprints by half by 2030.' 

Meanwhile, the new CEO's package includes a whopping $1.6 million base salary with a potential annual bonus of up to $7.2 million, as well as equity awards worth up to $23 million.

The arrangement, revealed in an SEC filing last week, also includes of course the corporate jet for his weekly 2,000-mile round trip and a remote office set up in Newport Beach.

The job offer letter said Niccol's would not 'be required to relocate to the company's headquarters' but would 'agree to commute from your residence to the company's headquarters.'

It explained that he would be allowed to use the company's jet for 'business related travel' and for 'travel between [his] city of residence and the company's headquarters.'

Brian Niccol and his wife, Jennifer Niccol, in Santa Ana, California (October 2023)

Niccol lives with his wife and three children in a house estimated to be worth about $8 million in Newport Beach, CA

A Starbucks spokesperson insisted Niccol would still spend 'a majority of his time' in Seattle, claiming his schedule would 'exceed the hybrid work guidelines' set for other employees.

'Brian's primary office and a majority of his time will be spent in our Seattle Support Center or out visiting partners and customers in our stores, roasteries, roasting facilities and offices around the world,' the spokesperson told CNBC

'His schedule will exceed the hybrid work guidelines and workplace expectations we have for all partners.'

Steve Milloy, founder of junkscience.com, expressed outrage over the deal on X.

It's a 'double shot of climate hypocrisy from Starbucks,' he wrote in a tweet that has gained thousands of views.

Niccol's supercommute comes as Starbucks pushes ahead with plans to serve drinks in reusable cups, part of its highly-publicized sustainability drive

Steve Milloy, founder of junkscience.com, expressed outrage over the deal on X. It's a 'double shot of climate hypocrisy from Starbucks,' he wrote in a tweet that has gained thousands of views

'Starbucks plans to serve you coffee in a used cup to save the planet … Meanwhile, new CEO Brian Niccol will commute from home to work (1,000 miles) by private jet,' he added.

'Recall phony-baloney climate hypocrite @schwarzenegger commuted from Los Angeles to Sacramento by private jet when he was governor.'

One irate user commented, 'Man this is absolutely insane!!' 

'DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO!' Basically every clim****!' another wrote. 

Niccol has already come under fire after he was hired and expected to be paid well over $100 million in his first year in one of the biggest US hires on record. 

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