FOX Business’ Lauren Simonetti reports on the latest lawsuits against Starbucks as baristas in several states claim the company’s new dress code is illegal and forces them to pay out of pocket.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol must now use the the coffee giant’s private plane for all trips to improve its security, a company spokesperson confirmed to FOX Business.
The Seattle-based company said an independent security review identified “credible” risks to Niccol that warrant enhanced protection, highlighting its high-profile position, increased media exposure and the broader threat environment, according to a Monday regulatory filing.
“Given Mr. Niccol’s role as CEO, strengthening media attention to which Mr. Niccol and Starbucks are subject, and given the current threat landscape, Mr. Niccol’s security study also recommended that Mr. Niccol use private aviation for all air travel, whether for personal, travel, or business purposes,” the filing states.
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol watches the Golden Bear Pro-Am before the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Below The Starbucks precedent policy, Niccol’s personal and non-commuting flights were limited to $250,000 per year.
This restriction remained in effect until September 2025, when the board approved a new framework removing the cap. Niccol’s personal use of company plane will now undergo a quarterly review process, according to the spokesperson.
No new spending limits have been put in place.
| Teleprinter | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEX | STARBUCKS CORP. | 95.16 | -0.56 |
-0.59% |
“This change is 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 threat landscape,” the filing said.
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People walk past a Starbucks coffee shop in Manhattan, New York on January 15, 2025. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The filing states that if the board determines reimbursement is appropriate, Niccol would be required to reimburse Starbucks for additional costs associated with non-commuting personal flights.
The review also recommends safety measures when Niccol travels to higher-risk destinations, including using a dedicated car and driver service in Seattle.
The Starbucks logo hangs near the entrance of a Starbucks coffee shop in Aspen, Colorado. (Robert Alexandre/Getty Images)
Niccol, who became CEO of Starbucks on Sept. 9, 2024, received about $31 million in compensation last year, according to the filing.
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The spokesperson noted that Niccol spends the majority of his time visiting Starbucks coffee shops in the United States and abroad, 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.
