Starbucks’ Indian-Origin CEO, Recently Fired, Never Worked Past 6 pm

Starbucks has replaced its Indian-origin CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, with Brian Niccol, the current chief executive of Chipotle. The announcement came just days after Narasimhan mentioned in an interview that he “almost never” worked past 6 pm.

In an official statement, Starbucks confirmed that Narasimhan stepped down as CEO and board member “with immediate effect.” Narasimhan, who has a background with PepsiCo and other consumer brands, had assumed the role in March 2023 after a period of working alongside former CEO and interim boss Howard Schultz.

In a recent interview with Fortune, Narasimhan emphasized the importance of work-life balance, stating that he finishes his work by 6 pm and only entertains after-hours work if it’s highly important. His remarks have since gone viral on social media, with some users speculating that his stance on work hours might have led to his departure.

Despite the sudden change, Starbucks praised Narasimhan for his contributions to the company. Mellody Hobson, Starbucks’ board chair, acknowledged his efforts in driving innovation in the brand’s supply chains and enhancing store operations during his tenure. “In the face of some challenging headwinds, Laxman has been laser-focused on improving the business to meet the needs of our customers and partners. We all wish him the very best and know he will do great things in the future,” Hobson said.

The leadership change at Starbucks comes as the company is working to revitalize its business amid declining sales, particularly due to weakening consumer sentiment and challenging market conditions in China. Brian Niccol, who has led Chipotle since 2018, will assume his new role on September 9, with Starbucks’ chief financial officer, Rachel Ruggeri, serving as interim CEO until then.