---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000829224-22-000043"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SBUX"
cik: "0000829224"
company_name: "STARBUCKS CORP"
filed_at: "2022-08-18T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-23T22:57:27.922687+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Starbucks eliminates COO role; John Culver to depart by Jan 1, 2023

## Summary
- John Culver exits as group president, North America and COO effective Oct 1; advisory role through Jan 1, 2023.
- Culver receives $3.75M severance, continued equity vesting, and 18 months of COBRA coverage.
- COO role eliminated; day-to-day operations report to CEO; Frank Britt expands as EVP Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.
- Sara Kelly and AJ Jones II permanently appointed as EVP Chief Partner Officer and EVP Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer.
- George Dowdie, EVP Global Supply Chain, to leave; will remain through calendar year to assist transition.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000829224-22-000043
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SBUX
- cik: 0000829224
- company_name: STARBUCKS CORP
- filed_at: 2022-08-18T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000082922422000043/0000829224-22-000043-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000082922422000043/sbux-20220816.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000829224-22-000043
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000829224-22-000043.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000829224-22-000043.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John Culver departed as group president, North America and chief operating officer at STARBUCKS CORP.
  - Action: departing
  - Role: group president, North America and chief operating officer
  source text: the chief operating officer role is being eliminated, effective as of October 1, 2022, and John Culver will be departing from the role of group president, North America and chief operating officer on such date.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000082922422000043/0000829224-22-000043-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.