$31 Million Man: Starbucks CEO Niccol Earns Double His Competitors
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol earned $31 million in 2025, making him the highest-paid fast-food or fast-casual restaurant boss in the United States. This is more than double the salary of his competitors, including McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski and Wendy's chief exec Bob Wright.
Niccol's compensation package was 1,794 times that of the typical Starbucks worker, according to Restaurant Dive. In his first year at the company, his $96 million pay package was 6,666 times the median worker's pay, sparking backlash online.
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Starbucks for its pay disparity, pointing out that Niccol earns more in four months than a unionized Starbucks worker makes in a year. However, business experts argue that CEOs of multinational corporations deserve high salaries because their success can make or break the company.
Niccol's salary may be due to his track record at Taco Bell and Chipotle, where he transformed the brands into successful companies. He was poached from Chipotle for his glowing reputation, and his efforts have helped boost Starbucks' stock price and reputation.