NEW YORK—CNBC reports that Starbucks’ new CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, plans to work a shift at one of the company’s stores at least once a month.
“To keep us close to the culture and our customers, as well as to our challenges and opportunities, I intend to continue working in stores for a half day each month, and I expect each member of the leadership team to also ensure our support centers stay connected and engaged in the realities of our stores for discussion and improvement,” Narasimhan wrote in a letter to employees.
Narasimhan took over as CEO two weeks earlier than planned. His tenure begins at “a rocky time for the company’s relationship with its baristas,” according to CNBC. More than 190 company-owned Starbucks locations have voted to unionize, according to National Labor Relations Board data.
Narasimhan was announced as the next CEO in September and spent time immersing himself in the world of Starbucks, including become a certified barista, prior to officially stepping into the role.
In other Starbucks-related news, the company’s olive oil-based Oleato beverages are now available at select Starbucks stores in Seattle and Los Angeles. The company announced the beverages as “a transformational innovation in coffee” that uses Partanna cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil to create a unique flavor and texture.