Nation's Restaurant News: Starbucks Realigns its Senior Leadership Team to Focus on Global Growth

Starbucks Corp. on Monday realigned its senior leadership team to allow chairman and CEO Howard Schultz to focus more on the coffeehouse chain’s next wave of global growth.

In filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said Cliff Burrows, currently group president, U.S. and Americas, will assume the new role of group president, Siren Retail, effective Sept. 1.

In his new position, Burrows will have global responsibility for the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room concept, as well as Starbucks Reserve-only stores, both of which offer micro-lot coffees, specialty brewing techniques and a more elevated customer experience.

Burrows will also lead Starbucks’ planned expansion of the standalone Princi bakery café brand, as well as the integration of Princi baked goods into Reserve units. Starbucks announced its investment in the Milan-based boutique bakery concept earlier this month.

The Teavana retail business will also come under Burrows, who will continue to report directly to Schultz.