Overview
- Varadarajan starts January 19 as executive vice president and CTO, reporting directly to CEO Brian Niccol.
- He spent nearly 19 years at Amazon, most recently leading technology and supply chain for the company’s worldwide grocery stores, including Fresh and Whole Foods.
- The appointment fills the role vacated in September by Deb Hall Lefevre, with Ningyu Chen having served as interim CTO.
- Starbucks frames the move as central to improving labor efficiency, speeding service, and scaling digital operations within its broader turnaround.
- Recent results show same-store sales returning to growth and strong holiday demand, as the company invests in initiatives like the $500 million Green Apron Service and digital ordering now exceeding 30% of sales.