Starbucks has appointed Anand Varadarajan as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), taking the role on January 19, 2026. This move is part of Starbucks’ strategy to strengthen store technology, improve labor efficiency, and support its ongoing digital transformation. Varadarajan brings nearly 19 years of experience at Amazon, where he led technology and supply chain operations for the company’s global grocery business. Before that, he also worked at Oracle and in software roles at tech startups.
He replaces the former CTO who stepped down in September, after a period where Starbucks named an interim chief. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said the hire will help accelerate the company’s push to modernize technology in stores and enhance the customer experience. This comes as Starbucks reports improved sales after a long slowdown. Varadarajan’s deep background in scalable systems and customer-focused solutions makes him a key leader in Starbucks’ efforts to build efficient, secure, and reliable technology. This leadership shift aligns with the company’s broader turnaround plan and focus on innovation in digital services and operations.
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