---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-22-076780"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SBUX"
cik: "0000829224"
company_name: "STARBUCKS CORP"
filed_at: "2022-03-16T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-26T22:33:34.324225+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson to retire April 4; founder Howard Schultz returns as interim CEO

## Summary
- Kevin Johnson retiring after 13 years (5 as CEO); effective April 4, 2022; will serve as special consultant through September.
- Howard Schultz, founder, appointed interim CEO and board member effective April 4; base salary of $1, no other comp.
- Board CEO search with Russell Reynolds since 2021; expects successor by Fall 2022.
- Schultz previously led Starbucks from 1987 to 2018; stock gained 21,000% from 1992 IPO to 2018 under his tenure.
- Johnson's tenure includes Nestlé Global Coffee Alliance, 45M Starbucks Rewards members, and pandemic partner support.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-22-076780
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SBUX
- cik: 0000829224
- company_name: STARBUCKS CORP
- filed_at: 2022-03-16T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000119312522076780/0001193125-22-076780-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000119312522076780/d325002d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-076780
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-076780.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-076780.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Howard Schultz was appointed as interim president and chief executive officer at STARBUCKS CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: interim president and chief executive officer
  source text: the board appointed Starbucks founder and former president and chief executive officer, Howard Schultz, as interim president and chief executive officer and as a member of the board, effective April 4, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000119312522076780/0001193125-22-076780-index.htm
- Executive change
  Kevin R. Johnson departed as president and chief executive officer at STARBUCKS CORP.
  - Action: retire
  - Role: president and chief executive officer
  source text: On March 13, 2022, Kevin R. Johnson notified the board of directors (the “board”) of Starbucks Corporation (“Starbucks”) of his decision to retire as president and chief executive officer and as a member of the board, effective April 4, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/829224/000119312522076780/0001193125-22-076780-index.htm

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