Starbucks CEO gets $31 million in 2025
Starbucks Corp. Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol’s total compensation reached $31 million in fiscal 2025, reflecting a decrease from the prior year when he was awarded stock rewards and other incentives as part of a strategy to attract him from Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. According to a filing on Monday, Niccol’s 2025 compensation package consists of a $5 million bonus and nearly $20 million in stock awards. The stock awards will be determined, in part, by the company’s performance.
In fiscal 2024, Niccol’s compensation amounted to $96 million, as indicated in the filing, which included a stock award exceeding $90 million. Niccol, who assumed leadership of Starbucks in September 2024, received one of the largest compensation packages among executives during that period. He aims to revitalize growth at the large restaurant operator, which boasts tens of thousands of locations in 80 countries. His plan, referred to as “Back to Starbucks,” has begun to yield some results, yet he has not completely persuaded investors.
The turnaround plan has thus far focused on enhancing customer service, simplifying the menu, and creating a more welcoming atmosphere in cafes through softer lighting and seating, all in an effort to rejuvenate the “third-place” concept that Starbucks was once celebrated for. Starbucks stock experienced a decline of 7.7% in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of downturn. Niccol’s pay package for the fiscal year was constrained by the decline in shares, resulting in his inability to secure performance-based compensation.
In the last quarter, the company achieved comparable sales growth for the first time in a year and a half, propelled by robust performance in its international operations. The company is set to announce its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday morning, with an investor presentation planned for Thursday. Analysts anticipate that the company will provide financial targets for the first time since Niccol took on the role of CEO.
