StarbucksAfter five years in the role, Kevin Johnson has decided to retire as CEO.

Howard Schultz is returning to lead the company which he helped transform into a global leader. Schultz will continue to serve as interim CEO until the company finds a long-term successor. He will serve as interim CEO for the coffee giant.

Before its annual shareholder meeting, the company made clear that it was making a leadership change.

“An year ago, as the global pandemic was nearing its end, I informed the Board that I would consider retiring from Starbucks. Kevin Johnson stated that this was a good way to end my 13 years of service with the company. We are fortunate that a founder is available to help us make this transition. This will allow the Board to continue to explore candidates and to make long-term succession decisions.

After serving as the CEO at Juniper Networks in 2009, Johnson was elected to the board. In 2015, Johnson became president and COO. Johnson succeeded Schultz as President and CEO in 2017.

Johnson, a former executive in tech, used his experience to help Starbucks transition into digital age. He revamped its loyalty program, and updated its stores to better reflect changing ways customers buy coffee. Johnson also helped push the company’s growth in China which is their second largest market.

Starbucks claims it will select a permanent successor to its business by the fall.

Schultz stated in a statement that he did not intend to return to his company. Schultz was CEO of the company from 1986-2000 and then again in 2008-2017.

You feel a responsibility when you are called upon to assist someone you care about. Schultz stated that although I didn’t intend to go back to Starbucks, he knows the company needs to transform again in order to create a bright future for all stakeholders. It is critical that we make it possible for partners and customers to experience the new Starbucks experience against the background of COVID recovery.

According to the company, Schultz will receive a salary of $1 as an interim chief executive.

This was in response to growing unionization efforts by its workers. Schultz, together with other Starbucks top executives, appeared in Buffalo to discourage baristas and others from supporting unionization.

To date, roughly 140 Starbucks stores in 26 statesAccording to Starbucks Workers United organizers, the petition was made to the National Labor Relations Board.

An investor group consisting of 75 people visited Starbucks on Tuesday. sent a letterStarbucks Chair Mellody Hobson urged Johnson to urge the company adopt a neutral policy for any current or future efforts of workers to organize.

The National Labor Relations Board will be presenting this week filed a complaintStarbucks has reacted to two Phoenix workers who sought unionization.

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