Starbucks Faces Backlash as New CEO Commutes 1,600 km by Jet Amid Environmental Concerns

Nowadays, many companies provide pick-up and drop-off facilities for employees traveling long distances. But have you ever imagined how far it could go? Recently, the newly appointed CEO of Starbucks has gone viral. Brian Niccol is set to join Starbucks next month, and he is reportedly going to travel approximately 1,600 kilometers from his home to work three days a week. For this, Niccol will use a corporate jet to commute from his home in California to the Starbucks HQ in Seattle.

As soon as the news broke, it sparked criticism for the brand, particularly in the context of environmental impact. Starbucks, a brand known for eliminating plastic straws and promoting the use of paper straws for a better environment with less pollution, is now facing backlash. The decision to offer their CEO a 1,600 km ride three times a week on a jet has been called out by social media users, who are accusing the brand of hypocrisy.

Social media platform X was soon flooded with memes on this topic. Users pointed out the irony between these two decisions. Here are some of the popular memes on the matter:

Brian Niccol has succeeded Laxman Narasimhan as the CEO of Starbucks. In July 2024, Narasimhan shared in a Fortune magazine interview that he "almost never" worked past 6 pm. His statement on work-life balance quickly went viral, especially as he announced his departure from the leadership of the global giant.