Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol must now use the coffee giant’s private aircraft for all travel to enhance his security, a company spokesperson confirmed.
The Seattle-based company said an independent security review identified “credible” risks to Niccol that warrant enhanced protection, pointing to his high-profile position, increased media exposure and the broader threat environment, according to a Monday regulatory filing.
“Given Mr. Niccol’s CEO role, the enhanced media attention to which Mr. Niccol and Starbucks are subject, and the current threat landscape, the security study for Mr. Niccol also recommended that Mr. Niccol use private aviation for all air travel, whether for personal, commuting, or business purposes,” the filing said.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol looks on during the Golden Bear Pro-Am prior to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Under Starbucks’ previous policy, Niccol’s personal, non-commuting flights were limited to $250,000 annually.
That restriction remained in place until September 2025, when the board approved a new framework removing the cap. Niccol’s personal use of the company aircraft will now be subject to a quarterly review process, according to the spokesperson.
No new spending limit has been put in place.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBUX | STARBUCKS CORP. | 95.16 | -0.56 | -0.59% |
“This change was driven by the security study’s recommendation that Mr. Niccol use the Company’s aircraft for all air travel, including personal air travel, and Starbucks current assessment of Mr. Niccol’s security situation and the threat landscape,” the filing said.
People pass by a Starbucks coffee shop in Manhattan, New York, on Jan. 15, 2025. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The filing noted that if the board determines reimbursement is appropriate, Niccol would be required to repay Starbucks for the incremental costs associated with personal, non-commuting flights.
The review also recommended safety measures when Niccol travels to higher-risk destinations, including the use of a dedicated car and driver service in Seattle.
The Starbucks logo hangs near the entrance to a Starbucks coffee shop in Aspen, Colorado. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
Niccol, who became CEO of Starbucks on Sept. 9, 2024, received approximately $31 million in compensation last year, according to the filing.
The spokesperson noted that Niccol spends the majority of his time visiting Starbucks coffeehouses across the U.S. and internationally, as well as working in Seattle, where he has both a home and an office.
Starbucks shares closed at $95.16 apiece and are up 13% year to date.