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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Howard Schultz
| name = Howard Schultz
| image       = Howard Schultz by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image = Howard Schultz by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption     = Schultz in 2019
| caption = Schultz in 2019
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1953|7|19}}
| birth_name = Howard D. Schultz
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|7|19}}
| nationality = American
| birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S.
| education   = [[Northern Michigan University]] (BA)
| nationality = American
| occupation   = Businessman, author
| education = [[Northern Michigan University]] (BA)
| known_for   = Leadership of [[Starbucks]]; co-ownership of [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
| occupation = Businessman, author
| children     = 2
| known_for = Leadership of [[Starbucks]], co-ownership of [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
| awards       = NAACP National Equal Justice Award
| children = 2
| awards = NAACP National Equal Justice Award
| website =
}}
}}


'''Howard D. Schultz''' (born July 19, 1953) is an American businessman and author who served as chairman and chief executive officer of [[Starbucks]] across three separate tenures: from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. Born into a working-class family in the public housing projects of Brooklyn, New York, Schultz rose to become one of the most prominent figures in the American coffee industry and in global retail. He joined Starbucks in 1982 when it was a small chain of coffee bean retailers in Seattle, and after a brief departure to found his own coffeehouse, Il Giornale, he returned to acquire and transform Starbucks into the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. Under his leadership, Starbucks went from a regional curiosity to a global brand with tens of thousands of locations, fundamentally reshaping coffee culture in the United States and abroad. Schultz took the company public in 1992 and oversaw decades of expansion, including aggressive growth in Chinese markets that introduced coffee consumption to a country rooted in tea culture. He has been described as the "Ray Kroc of his generation" for his role in scaling Starbucks through franchising and corporate strategy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz: How to Do Good and Do Good Business |url=https://mastersofscale.com/howard-schultz-how-to-do-good-and-do-good-business/ |publisher=Masters of Scale |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Beyond Starbucks, Schultz owned the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] basketball team from 2001 to 2006, has authored four books on business, and publicly explored presidential candidacies in 2012, 2016, and 2020 as a political independent. He established the Schultz Family Foundation to support military veterans and combat youth unemployment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schultz Family Foundation |url=http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/#tab-switcher-1 |publisher=Schultz Family Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Howard D. Schultz (born July 19, 1953) is an American businessman, author, and philanthropist who served as chairman and chief executive officer of [[Starbucks]] across three separate tenures: from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. Born into a working-class family in the public housing projects of Brooklyn, New York, Schultz joined the then-small Seattle coffee roaster in 1982 and transformed it from a regional purveyor of whole-bean coffee into the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. He took the company public in 1992, oversaw an aggressive expansion strategy that reshaped coffee culture in the United States and abroad, and returned to lead the company through the [[2008 financial crisis]] and again during a period of leadership transition in 2022. His approach to corporate management—which emphasized employee benefits, brand experience, and what Starbucks described as the concept of a "third place" between home and work—drew comparisons to [[Ray Kroc]], the executive who built the [[McDonald's]] franchise empire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz: How to Do Good and Do Good Business |url=https://mastersofscale.com/howard-schultz-how-to-do-good-and-do-good-business/ |publisher=Masters of Scale |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Beyond Starbucks, Schultz owned the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] basketball team from 2001 to 2006, authored four books on business and leadership, and publicly explored independent candidacies for the U.S. presidency in multiple election cycles. In 2025, Schultz continued to engage publicly with Starbucks, appearing alongside CEO [[Brian Niccol]] to discuss the company's future direction.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-06-11 |title=Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Howard D. Schultz was born on July 19, 1953, in [[New York City]]. He grew up in the Bayview Houses, a public housing project in the Canarsie neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229728 |publisher=Entrepreneur |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His father held a series of blue-collar jobs, including work as a truck driver, factory worker, and cab driver, and the family struggled financially throughout Schultz's childhood. These early experiences with economic hardship would later inform Schultz's approach to employee benefits and corporate social responsibility at Starbucks.
Howard D. Schultz was born on July 19, 1953, in [[New York City]]. He grew up in the Bayview Housing Projects in the [[Canarsie]] neighborhood of [[Brooklyn]], a federally subsidized public housing complex. His father held a series of blue-collar jobs, including work as a truck driver and factory worker, and the family struggled financially throughout Schultz's childhood. The experience of growing up in public housing and witnessing his father's lack of access to health insurance and workers' benefits had a formative effect on Schultz, shaping views he would later carry into his corporate leadership at Starbucks.<ref name="entrepreneur">{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229728 |publisher=Entrepreneur |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Schultz attended Canarsie High School in Brooklyn, where he was an athletic student. He earned a football scholarship to [[Northern Michigan University]] in Marquette, Michigan, becoming the first person in his family to attend college. At Northern Michigan, Schultz studied communications and graduated with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229728 |publisher=Entrepreneur |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz was an athletic youth and earned a football scholarship to [[Northern Michigan University]] in [[Marquette, Michigan]], becoming the first person in his family to attend college. At Northern Michigan, he studied communications and earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


After graduating from college, Schultz entered the workforce in sales and marketing roles. He eventually took a position with Hammarplast, a Swedish housewares company, where he worked as a general manager. It was through his work at Hammarplast that Schultz first encountered Starbucks. He noticed that a small coffee bean retailer in Seattle was placing unusually large orders for a particular type of drip coffeemaker, which piqued his curiosity and prompted him to visit the company's Pike Place Market store. That visit in 1981 proved to be a turning point: Schultz was struck by the quality of the coffee and the passion of the company's founders — Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker — for sourcing and roasting premium coffee beans.
After graduating from college, Schultz entered the business world through sales positions. He eventually joined Hammarplast, a Swedish housewares company, where he worked as a general manager. It was in this role that Schultz first encountered Starbucks. He noticed that a small coffee roasting company in [[Seattle]] was ordering an unusually large number of a particular type of drip coffeemaker, which piqued his curiosity and led him to visit the company's original store in [[Pike Place Market]] in 1981. Impressed by the quality of the coffee and the founders' dedication to the product, Schultz lobbied to join the company and was hired in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Schultz attended [[Northern Michigan University]] in Marquette, Michigan, on a football scholarship. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in communications from the university.<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229728 |publisher=Entrepreneur |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Schultz was the first member of his family to attend and graduate from a four-year college. In 2017, [[Arizona State University]] invited Schultz to serve as commencement speaker, reflecting his status in American business and higher education circles.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASU commencement speaker Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz |url=https://asunow.asu.edu/20170313-asu-news-commencement-speaker-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz |publisher=Arizona State University |date=2017-03-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz attended [[Northern Michigan University]] on a football scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.<ref name="entrepreneur" /> Northern Michigan University, a public university in [[Marquette, Michigan]], later recognized Schultz as one of its most prominent alumni. In 2017, Schultz served as the commencement speaker at [[Arizona State University]], with which Starbucks had established a partnership to provide tuition coverage for employees pursuing online degrees.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement Speaker: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz |url=https://asunow.asu.edu/20170313-asu-news-commencement-speaker-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz |publisher=Arizona State University |date=2017-03-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Years at Starbucks and the Founding of Il Giornale ===
=== Early Years at Starbucks and Il Giornale ===


Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. At the time, Starbucks operated as a retailer of whole coffee beans and equipment, not as a coffeehouse serving brewed beverages. During a business trip to Milan, Italy, Schultz visited numerous Italian espresso bars and was inspired by the communal, café-centered culture surrounding coffee in Italy. He became convinced that Starbucks could replicate this experience in the United States by serving espresso-based drinks in a welcoming, social atmosphere — what he would later describe as a "third place" between home and work.
Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. At the time, the company operated a small number of stores in Seattle that sold whole-bean coffee and coffee-making equipment but did not serve brewed coffee beverages. During a business trip to [[Milan]], Italy, in 1983, Schultz was struck by the Italian espresso bar culture—the sense of community, the ritual of espresso preparation, and the role of the coffeehouse as a social gathering place. He returned to Seattle convinced that Starbucks should adopt a similar model, serving espresso-based beverages in addition to selling beans.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


Schultz's vision for transforming Starbucks into a coffeehouse met resistance from the company's original founders, who preferred to remain focused on selling coffee beans. In 1985, Schultz left Starbucks and founded '''Il Giornale''', an Italian-style coffeehouse in Seattle that served brewed espresso beverages. Il Giornale proved successful and attracted investors. In 1987, when the original Starbucks owners decided to sell the company, Schultz raised approximately $3.8 million and acquired Starbucks, merging it with Il Giornale. He became the chief executive officer of the combined company, retaining the Starbucks name and logo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Howard Schultz: How to Do Good and Do Good Business |url=https://mastersofscale.com/howard-schultz-how-to-do-good-and-do-good-business/ |publisher=Masters of Scale |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
When the Starbucks founders proved reluctant to shift the company's business model, Schultz departed in 1985 to open his own coffeehouse chain, which he named '''Il Giornale''', after the Italian newspaper. Il Giornale served brewed espresso drinks in an atmosphere inspired by the Italian coffee bars Schultz had visited. The concept proved successful, and in 1987, when the original Starbucks owners decided to sell the company, Schultz raised the capital necessary to purchase Starbucks and merged it with Il Giornale. He became chairman and CEO of the combined entity, rebranding all locations under the Starbucks name.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


=== First Tenure as CEO (1986–2000) ===
=== Building the Starbucks Brand (1987–2000) ===


Under Schultz's leadership during his first tenure as CEO, Starbucks underwent a dramatic transformation from a small Seattle-based chain into a national and eventually international brand. Schultz pursued an aggressive expansion strategy, opening new stores at a rapid pace across the United States. A central element of his approach was the concept of the Starbucks store as a "third place" — a comfortable social environment distinct from home and office — which became a defining feature of the brand's identity.
Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks underwent a period of rapid expansion throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. The company grew from a handful of Seattle locations to a national and then international chain. A pivotal moment came in June 1992 when Starbucks held its [[initial public offering]] (IPO), with the company valued at approximately $271 million. The capital raised through the IPO enabled Schultz to double the store count through an aggressive growth strategy that attracted significant media attention and was characterized as part of a series of "coffee wars" as the specialty coffee market expanded.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks Coffee Announces Initial Public Offering |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARBUCKS%20COFFEE%20ANNOUNCES%20INITIAL%20PUBLIC%20OFFERING-a012370965 |publisher=The Free Library |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 1992, Schultz took Starbucks public with an [[initial public offering]] that valued the company at $271 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Starbucks Coffee Announces Initial Public Offering |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARBUCKS%20COFFEE%20ANNOUNCES%20INITIAL%20PUBLIC%20OFFERING-a012370965 |work=The Free Library |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The capital raised through the IPO enabled Schultz to accelerate the company's expansion, doubling the number of Starbucks stores in what the media described as a series of "coffee wars" with competitors. By the late 1990s, Starbucks had established a presence in major markets across the United States and had begun expanding internationally.
Schultz's management philosophy during this period centered on the idea that Starbucks stores should function as a "third place"—a comfortable environment between home and work where customers could linger, socialize, or work. He also implemented employee policies that were unusual in the retail and food-service industries at the time, including offering health insurance and stock options to part-time workers. Schultz frequently cited his father's experience as a blue-collar worker without benefits as motivation for these policies.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


Schultz also distinguished himself through his employee-relations policies. He introduced health insurance benefits for part-time employees and implemented a stock-option plan called "Bean Stock" that extended equity ownership to all employees, whom Starbucks referred to as "partners." These policies were unusual in the retail and food-service industries at the time and contributed to Starbucks' reputation as a relatively progressive employer.
The growth under Schultz's leadership was extensive enough that he was described as the "Ray Kroc of his generation," a reference to the businessman who expanded the [[McDonald's]] franchise into a global brand. Schultz stepped down as CEO in 2000 and was succeeded by [[Orin C. Smith]], though he retained the position of chairman.<ref name="starbucks_press">{{cite web |title=Starbucks Press Release |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117121159/http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=818 |publisher=Starbucks |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In 2000, Schultz stepped down as CEO, handing the position to [[Orin C. Smith]], while retaining the role of chairman of the board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks Coffee Company CEO Transition |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117121159/http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=818 |publisher=Starbucks |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Due to the scale and speed of Starbucks' growth under his leadership, Schultz was frequently compared to [[Ray Kroc]], the businessman who transformed [[McDonald's]] into a global franchise, and was described as the "Ray Kroc of his generation."


=== Ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics (2001–2006) ===
=== Ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics (2001–2006) ===


In 2001, Schultz purchased the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). His ownership of the team was marked by controversy, particularly regarding the issue of a new arena. Schultz sought public funding for a new arena to replace the aging KeyArena, but the effort failed to gain sufficient political and public support in Seattle.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Super Bowl scores points for Paul Allen, sacks Howard Schultz |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/12287415/1/seattle-super-bowl-scores-points-for-paul-allen-sacks-howard-schultz.html |work=TheStreet |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2001, Schultz led an ownership group that purchased the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], a [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) franchise. His tenure as owner coincided with the team's participation in the [[Super Bowl XL|2006 Super Bowl]] celebration in Seattle—though the primary beneficiary of that event was widely seen as [[Paul Allen]], owner of the [[Seattle Seahawks]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Super Bowl scores points for Paul Allen, sacks Howard Schultz |url=http://www.thestreet.com/story/12287415/1/seattle-super-bowl-scores-points-for-paul-allen-sacks-howard-schultz.html |work=TheStreet |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In 2006, Schultz sold the SuperSonics to a group led by Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett. The sale proved deeply unpopular in Seattle, as Bennett subsequently relocated the franchise to Oklahoma City, where it became the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]. A lawsuit followed, and a trial examined the circumstances of the sale.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trial coverage |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/basketball/369313_trial03.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Public opinion polls conducted by the ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' indicated significant negative sentiment toward Schultz in Seattle over the loss of the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Poll |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/polls/popup.asp?pollID=2983 |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Seattle Times'' reported extensively on the fallout from the sale and Schultz's role in the franchise's departure from the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schultz and the Sonics |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419015637/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004349361_schultz15.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz's ownership of the SuperSonics became controversial in Seattle. He sold the team in 2006 to a group led by [[Clay Bennett]] of [[Oklahoma City]]. The sale eventually led to the team's relocation from Seattle to Oklahoma City, where it was rebranded as the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in 2008. The loss of the SuperSonics was a source of significant frustration for Seattle sports fans, and Schultz faced public criticism and legal scrutiny related to the sale. A trial examined the circumstances of the transaction.<ref>{{cite news |title=SuperSonics Trial Coverage |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/basketball/369313_trial03.html |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Public opinion polling in Seattle reflected widespread displeasure with Schultz's handling of the franchise.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle SuperSonics Poll |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/polls/popup.asp?pollID=2983 |publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2008, the ''Seattle Times'' published further reporting on Schultz's role in the team's departure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schultz and the SuperSonics |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419015637/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004349361_schultz15.html |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Return as CEO and the Financial Crisis (2008–2017) ===
=== Return as CEO During the Financial Crisis (2008–2017) ===


By 2007, Starbucks was experiencing significant challenges. Rapid over-expansion had diluted the brand, same-store sales were declining, and the company's stock price had fallen sharply. The onset of the [[2008 financial crisis]] compounded these problems. In January 2008, Schultz returned as CEO, succeeding Jim Donald, who had taken over from Orin Smith.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks Coffee Company CEO Transition |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117121159/http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=818 |publisher=Starbucks |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
By 2008, Starbucks was experiencing declining same-store sales, rising commodity costs, and a perception that the brand had lost its focus on coffee quality and the in-store experience during years of rapid expansion. The company's stock price had fallen significantly. Schultz returned as CEO in January 2008, succeeding [[Jim Donald]], who had taken over after Orin Smith's retirement.<ref name="starbucks_press" />


Schultz's return was accompanied by sweeping changes. He led a significant restructuring that included the firing of senior executives and the elimination of thousands of positions across the company. He ordered the closure of hundreds of underperforming stores in the United States. In a widely publicized move, Schultz temporarily shut down all U.S. Starbucks locations for an afternoon of retraining baristas in espresso preparation, a symbolic gesture aimed at refocusing the company on the quality of its core product.
Schultz's second tenure as CEO was marked by aggressive restructuring. He led the closure of hundreds of underperforming stores across the United States and oversaw significant layoffs at both the store and corporate levels, including the dismissal of senior executives. The restructuring was described as a mass firing of executives and employees as Schultz sought to refocus the company on its core identity.


During his second tenure, Schultz orchestrated multiple acquisitions to diversify the Starbucks portfolio, including purchases of American and Chinese beverage companies. He introduced and expanded Starbucks' national loyalty program, which used digital technology and mobile payments to deepen customer engagement. He also enforced fair trade standards in the company's coffee sourcing, building on Starbucks' earlier commitments to ethical sourcing practices.
In addition to cost-cutting measures, Schultz pursued a strategy of acquisitions, purchasing several American and Chinese beverage companies to diversify Starbucks' product portfolio. He introduced the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program nationally, which became one of the most widely used restaurant loyalty programs in the country. The company also expanded its commitment to [[fair trade]] standards under Schultz's direction, enforcing ethical sourcing practices for its coffee supply chain.


A major strategic focus of Schultz's second tenure was the expansion of Starbucks into [[China]]. Schultz invested heavily in opening stores across Chinese cities, and his aggressive expansion in Chinese markets has been credited with helping to introduce coffee consumption to a country with a deeply established tea-drinking culture. Peter Mandelson, then the UK's Secretary of State for Business, referenced Schultz and Starbucks in the context of global economic trends during the financial crisis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Peter Mandelson Starbucks Economy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/feb/19/peter-mandelson-starbucks-economy |work=The Guardian |date=2009-02-19 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
A key strategic priority during Schultz's second stint was the expansion of Starbucks in [[China]], which he identified as the company's most important growth market outside the United States. His aggressive push into Chinese markets was credited with reconciling the country's deeply rooted tea culture with coffee consumption, introducing millions of Chinese consumers to coffeehouse culture. By the time Schultz stepped down as CEO in April 2017, Starbucks operated thousands of stores in China, and the market remained central to the company's long-term growth strategy.


Schultz stepped down as CEO in April 2017, handing the role to [[Kevin Johnson]], a former technology executive who had served as Starbucks' president and chief operating officer. Schultz continued as executive chairman until June 2018, when he was succeeded by [[Myron Ullman]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html |work=CNBC |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz was succeeded as CEO by [[Kevin Johnson]] in April 2017. He continued as executive chairman until June 2018, when he was succeeded in that role by [[Myron Ullman]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Peter Mandelson: Starbucks Economy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/feb/19/peter-mandelson-starbucks-economy |work=The Guardian |date=2009-02-19 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Third Tenure as Interim CEO (2022–2023) ===
=== Third Tenure as Interim CEO (2022–2023) ===


On March 16, 2022, Starbucks announced that Kevin Johnson was retiring and that Schultz would return as interim CEO until a permanent successor was identified. During this third tenure, Schultz navigated the company through a period marked by unionization efforts at numerous Starbucks locations across the United States, as well as ongoing challenges related to labor relations and operational efficiency. Schultz served as interim CEO until [[Laxman Narasimhan]] assumed the permanent CEO role. On March 20, 2023, Schultz announced he would step down from the interim position ahead of schedule.
On March 16, 2022, Starbucks announced that CEO Kevin Johnson was retiring and that Schultz would return as interim CEO while the company searched for a permanent successor. The announcement came during a period of significant labor organizing activity at Starbucks locations across the United States. Schultz assumed the role and led the company through a transitional period until [[Laxman Narasimhan]] was named as the incoming CEO. On March 20, 2023, Schultz announced he would step down from the interim position ahead of the originally planned transition date, and Narasimhan formally took over the role in April 2023.


=== Post-CEO Involvement ===
=== Post-Retirement Engagement ===


Following his departure from formal leadership, Schultz has continued to engage publicly with Starbucks' direction and broader business issues. In June 2025, Schultz made a surprise appearance at Starbucks' Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas, joining CEO [[Brian Niccol]]. Schultz expressed strong support for Niccol's "back to Starbucks" strategy, which emphasized a return to the company's coffeehouse roots and the "third place" concept that had defined Schultz's own leadership philosophy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html |work=CNBC |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In a joint discussion, Schultz and Niccol reflected on the company's legacy and the importance of delivering performance "through the lens of humanity."<ref>{{cite web |title=Brian Niccol and Howard Schultz on reclaiming the third place and delivering performance 'through the lens of humanity' |url=https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/brian-niccol-and-howard-schultz-on-reclaiming-the-third-place-and-delivering-performance-through-the-lens-of-humanity/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Following his departure from executive roles, Schultz continued to engage publicly with Starbucks and broader business issues. In June 2025, he made a surprise appearance at the Starbucks Leadership Experience event in [[Las Vegas]], joining CEO Brian Niccol on stage. Schultz expressed enthusiasm for Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" strategy, telling attendees he "did a cartwheel" upon learning of the initiative, which emphasized a return to the company's core coffeehouse identity.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-06-11 |title=Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html |work=CNBC |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Schultz and Niccol discussed the enduring importance of Starbucks as a "third place" and delivering performance "through the lens of humanity."<ref>{{cite web |title=Brian Niccol and Howard Schultz on reclaiming the third place and delivering performance 'through the lens of humanity' |url=https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/brian-niccol-and-howard-schultz-on-reclaiming-the-third-place-and-delivering-performance-through-the-lens-of-humanity/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In July 2025, Schultz addressed Starbucks partners (employees) during a Quarterly Connect event, stating, "The world needs Starbucks," and expressing confidence in the company's future.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect |url=https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In July 2025, Schultz joined Niccol again during a partner (employee) Quarterly Connect event, telling Starbucks employees, "The world needs Starbucks," and expressing his belief in the company's future.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect |url=https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In October 2025, Schultz spoke publicly about the risks of [[artificial intelligence]], stating he was "Worried — with a big W" about AI and its implications for business and society.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Schultz Said He's Worried — 'With a Big W' — About AI |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/howard-schultz-starbucks-worried-about-ai-2025-10 |work=Business Insider |date=2025-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In a separate interview, he discussed the topic of leading through uncertainty, emphasizing that "true leadership is defined in the toughest moments."<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz On Leading Through Uncertainty |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2025/10/19/former-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-on-leading-through-uncertainty/ |work=Forbes |date=2025-10-19 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In October 2025, Schultz spoke publicly about his concerns regarding [[artificial intelligence]], stating in an interview with LinkedIn's editor-in-chief Daniel Roth that he was "Worried—with a big W—about AI."<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-14 |title=Howard Schultz Said He's Worried — 'With a Big W' — About AI |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/howard-schultz-starbucks-worried-about-ai-2025-10 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He also discussed broader themes of leadership in uncertain times, drawing on his experience at Starbucks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hayes |first=Julian |date=2025-10-19 |title=Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz On Leading Through Uncertainty |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2025/10/19/former-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-on-leading-through-uncertainty/ |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-16 |title=Howard Schultz isn't running Starbucks anymore—but his latest warning should make every CEO listen |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91422968/howard-schultz-starbucks-warning-should-make-every-ceo-listen |work=Fast Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Political Activities ==
=== Political Interests ===


Schultz has been politically active outside of his business career. He was a registered [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] for most of his adult life before changing his affiliation to [[independent (politics)|independent]] in 2019.
Throughout his career, Schultz was affiliated with the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] before registering as an [[Independent (politician)|independent]] in 2019. He publicly considered running for the [[President of the United States|U.S. presidency]] in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 election cycles, each time as a potential independent candidate. He ultimately declined to enter all three contests. His political positions have been described as socially liberal and fiscally moderate. In foreign policy, he has been characterized as a "liberal hawk," favoring American-led international engagement.


Schultz publicly considered running for [[President of the United States]] in three separate election cycles: 2012, 2016, and 2020. In each case, he explored the possibility of an independent candidacy but ultimately declined to enter the race. His 2020 exploration attracted significant media attention and criticism from Democratic politicians and strategists who feared that an independent candidacy could split the anti-Republican vote and aid the re-election of President [[Donald Trump]].
Schultz was outspoken on social and political issues during his time at Starbucks. In 2013, responding to a shareholder who criticized the company's support of [[same-sex marriage]], Schultz stated that the shareholder was free to sell their shares, a remark that received significant media coverage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Schultz to Anti-Gay-Marriage Starbucks Shareholder: You Can Sell Your Shares |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2013/03/22/howard-schultz-to-anti-gay-marriage-starbucks-shareholder-you-can-sell-your-shares/#4aed60586511 |work=Forbes |date=2013-03-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Schultz's political positions have been characterized as socially liberal and fiscally moderate. In foreign policy, he has been described as a "liberal hawk," favoring American leadership in international affairs. In 2013, during a Starbucks shareholders' meeting, Schultz responded to a shareholder who objected to the company's support for same-sex marriage by telling the shareholder, "You can sell your shares."<ref>{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Frederick |title=Howard Schultz to Anti-Gay-Marriage Starbucks Shareholder: 'You Can Sell Your Shares' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2013/03/22/howard-schultz-to-anti-gay-marriage-starbucks-shareholder-you-can-sell-your-shares/#4aed60586511 |work=Forbes |date=2013-03-22 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
== Personal Life ==


== Personal Life ==
Schultz has two children. He has been a resident of [[Seattle, Washington]], for much of his adult life, having relocated there when he first joined Starbucks in 1982. His upbringing in the public housing projects of Brooklyn has been a recurring theme in his public remarks and writings, and he has frequently described the formative impact of his father's struggles as a blue-collar worker without health insurance or job security.<ref name="entrepreneur" />


Schultz has two children. He established the '''Schultz Family Foundation''', a philanthropic organization focused on two primary areas: supporting military veterans and their families, and combating youth unemployment in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schultz Family Foundation |url=http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/#tab-switcher-1 |publisher=Schultz Family Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2015, Schultz wrote an op-ed in ''The New York Times'' discussing the challenge of connecting young people with employment opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schultz |first=Howard |title=Connecting Young People With Jobs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/opinion/connecting-young-people-with-jobs.html |work=The New York Times |date=2015-07-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The ''Chronicle of Philanthropy'' also reported on Schultz's philanthropic activities through the foundation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Starbucks's Schultz Opens New Foundation |url=https://philanthropy.com/article/Starbuckss-Schultz-Opens-New/228699 |work=Chronicle of Philanthropy |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz and his family established the '''Schultz Family Foundation''', a philanthropic organization focused on two primary areas: supporting military veterans in their transition to civilian life and combating youth unemployment in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schultz Family Foundation |url=http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/#tab-switcher-1 |publisher=Schultz Family Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2015, Schultz wrote an op-ed in ''[[The New York Times]]'' about the importance of connecting young people with employment opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Connecting Young People With Jobs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/opinion/connecting-young-people-with-jobs.html |work=The New York Times |date=2015-07-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The foundation's work was also covered by the ''[[Chronicle of Philanthropy]]'', which reported on Schultz's philanthropic initiatives.<ref>{{cite news |title=Starbucks's Schultz Opens New Foundation |url=https://philanthropy.com/article/Starbuckss-Schultz-Opens-New/228699 |work=Chronicle of Philanthropy |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Schultz has authored four books on business and leadership. He has spoken publicly about how his upbringing in public housing in Brooklyn shaped his worldview and his approach to running Starbucks, particularly his emphasis on providing employee benefits such as health insurance and stock options to part-time workers.
Schultz has authored four books on business and leadership. His writings have covered topics including his personal story, the growth of Starbucks, corporate responsibility, and the challenges of leadership.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Schultz has received recognition from multiple organizations for his business leadership and philanthropic efforts. The [[NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund]] honored him with its National Equal Justice Award at the organization's 31st Annual National Equal Justice Awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Moment Now: NAACP Legal Defense 31st Annual National Equal Justice Awards |url=http://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/moment-now-naacp-legal-31st-annual-national-equal-justice-awards |publisher=NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz has received recognition from multiple organizations for his business leadership and social engagement. The [[NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund]] honored him with the National Equal Justice Award at its 31st annual ceremony, recognizing his contributions to issues of social justice and equal opportunity.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Moment Now: NAACP Legal Defense 31st Annual National Equal Justice Awards |url=http://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/moment-now-naacp-legal-31st-annual-national-equal-justice-awards |publisher=NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


He has been featured on the [[Forbes]] list of the wealthiest Americans, ranked as the 209th-richest person in the United States in October 2020. Arizona State University selected Schultz as its commencement speaker in 2017, reflecting his profile in American business and public life.<ref>{{cite web |title=ASU commencement speaker Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz |url=https://asunow.asu.edu/20170313-asu-news-commencement-speaker-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz |publisher=Arizona State University |date=2017-03-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His leadership of Starbucks has been the subject of extensive business journalism and academic study. The comparison to Ray Kroc—describing Schultz as the "Ray Kroc of his generation"—reflected the scale of the transformation he oversaw in turning a small Seattle company into a global enterprise. Schultz's approach to employee benefits, including offering health coverage and stock options to part-time workers, was widely covered in business media as an example of stakeholder capitalism before the term became common corporate parlance.


Media outlets have frequently profiled Schultz as a transformative figure in the American retail and food-service industries. His role in building Starbucks from a small chain of coffee bean retailers into the world's largest coffeehouse company has drawn comparisons to Ray Kroc's expansion of McDonald's. ''Fast Company'' noted in 2025 that even two years after retiring from the Starbucks board, Schultz's commentary on business and leadership continued to attract attention across the industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard Schultz isn't running Starbucks anymore—but his latest warning should make every CEO listen |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91422968/howard-schultz-starbucks-warning-should-make-every-ceo-listen |work=Fast Company |date=2025-10-16 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2025, ''Forbes'' profiled Schultz on the topic of leading through uncertainty, highlighting his experience navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the challenges of multiple tenures at Starbucks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hayes |first=Julian |date=2025-10-19 |title=Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz On Leading Through Uncertainty |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2025/10/19/former-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-on-leading-through-uncertainty/ |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> ''Fast Company'' noted that even two years after retiring from the Starbucks board, Schultz's public statements continued to attract attention from business leaders and media.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-16 |title=Howard Schultz isn't running Starbucks anymore—but his latest warning should make every CEO listen |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91422968/howard-schultz-starbucks-warning-should-make-every-ceo-listen |work=Fast Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Schultz's impact on the American coffee industry and on retail culture is substantial. Before Starbucks' expansion under his leadership, specialty coffee was a niche market in the United States. Schultz's vision of the coffeehouse as a "third place" — a communal gathering space between home and work — redefined how Americans consumed coffee and how they thought about the coffeehouse experience. The model he built at Starbucks influenced countless competitors and imitators, and the company's global reach brought espresso-based beverages into the mainstream of American daily life.
Schultz's influence on the coffee industry and on American retail culture is a subject of significant discussion in business literature. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from a single-city operation selling whole-bean coffee to a global chain with tens of thousands of locations. The company's expansion redefined how coffee was marketed, consumed, and experienced in the United States and internationally, contributing to the popularization of espresso-based beverages and the specialty coffee movement.


His employee-relations policies, including health insurance for part-time workers and the Bean Stock equity program, set benchmarks in the retail and food-service industries and were frequently cited in discussions of corporate social responsibility. His commitment to fair trade sourcing standards during his second CEO tenure contributed to broader industry trends toward ethical supply-chain practices.
The "third place" concept that Schultz championed—the idea that Starbucks stores should serve as communal gathering spaces distinct from home and the workplace—became a defining element of the company's brand identity. In 2025, Schultz continued to reference this concept, collaborating with current CEO Brian Niccol to articulate a vision of Starbucks reclaiming its role as a "third place" and delivering performance "through the lens of humanity."<ref>{{cite web |title=Brian Niccol and Howard Schultz on reclaiming the third place and delivering performance 'through the lens of humanity' |url=https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/brian-niccol-and-howard-schultz-on-reclaiming-the-third-place-and-delivering-performance-through-the-lens-of-humanity/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Schultz's aggressive expansion of Starbucks into China represented a significant strategic accomplishment, introducing coffee culture to one of the world's largest consumer markets. The company's Chinese operations grew to represent a major portion of Starbucks' international business.
Schultz's employee-benefit policies at Starbucks, including health insurance for part-time workers and the stock-option program known as "Bean Stock," were frequently cited as models for how large employers in the retail and food-service sectors could provide benefits traditionally associated with white-collar employment. His personal narrative—rising from a childhood in Brooklyn public housing to lead a Fortune 500 company—became a widely referenced example of the American self-made business story.


His political explorations, while ultimately resulting in no candidacy, reflected broader debates in American politics about the role of independent candidates and business leaders in governance. Schultz's philanthropic work through the Schultz Family Foundation has focused on two areas — veterans' support and youth employment — that address significant social challenges in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schultz Family Foundation |url=http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/#tab-switcher-1 |publisher=Schultz Family Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His legacy, however, is not without controversy. The sale of the Seattle SuperSonics, which resulted in the team's relocation to Oklahoma City, remains a point of contention in Seattle. Additionally, his multiple explorations of presidential bids without entering the race drew criticism from various political commentators.


As of 2025, Schultz continued to engage publicly with questions of business leadership and corporate responsibility, participating in Starbucks company events and speaking on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to the fundamentals of customer-focused management.<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect |url=https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Schultz's influence on Starbucks remained visible well after his formal departure from the company. His 2025 appearances alongside CEO Brian Niccol underscored his ongoing connection to the brand he built, with Schultz telling employees at a company event that "the world needs Starbucks."<ref>{{cite web |title=Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect |url=https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/ |publisher=Starbucks |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:American authors]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:Northern Michigan University alumni]]
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Latest revision as of 01:50, 24 February 2026


Howard Schultz
Schultz in 2019
Howard Schultz
BornHoward D. Schultz
19 7, 1953
BirthplaceNew York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusinessman, author
Known forLeadership of Starbucks, co-ownership of Seattle SuperSonics
EducationNorthern Michigan University (BA)
Children2
AwardsNAACP National Equal Justice Award

Howard D. Schultz (born July 19, 1953) is an American businessman, author, and philanthropist who served as chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks across three separate tenures: from 1986 to 2000, from 2008 to 2017, and as interim CEO from 2022 to 2023. Born into a working-class family in the public housing projects of Brooklyn, New York, Schultz joined the then-small Seattle coffee roaster in 1982 and transformed it from a regional purveyor of whole-bean coffee into the largest coffeehouse chain in the world. He took the company public in 1992, oversaw an aggressive expansion strategy that reshaped coffee culture in the United States and abroad, and returned to lead the company through the 2008 financial crisis and again during a period of leadership transition in 2022. His approach to corporate management—which emphasized employee benefits, brand experience, and what Starbucks described as the concept of a "third place" between home and work—drew comparisons to Ray Kroc, the executive who built the McDonald's franchise empire.[1] Beyond Starbucks, Schultz owned the Seattle SuperSonics basketball team from 2001 to 2006, authored four books on business and leadership, and publicly explored independent candidacies for the U.S. presidency in multiple election cycles. In 2025, Schultz continued to engage publicly with Starbucks, appearing alongside CEO Brian Niccol to discuss the company's future direction.[2]

Early Life

Howard D. Schultz was born on July 19, 1953, in New York City. He grew up in the Bayview Housing Projects in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, a federally subsidized public housing complex. His father held a series of blue-collar jobs, including work as a truck driver and factory worker, and the family struggled financially throughout Schultz's childhood. The experience of growing up in public housing and witnessing his father's lack of access to health insurance and workers' benefits had a formative effect on Schultz, shaping views he would later carry into his corporate leadership at Starbucks.[3]

Schultz was an athletic youth and earned a football scholarship to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, becoming the first person in his family to attend college. At Northern Michigan, he studied communications and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.[3]

After graduating from college, Schultz entered the business world through sales positions. He eventually joined Hammarplast, a Swedish housewares company, where he worked as a general manager. It was in this role that Schultz first encountered Starbucks. He noticed that a small coffee roasting company in Seattle was ordering an unusually large number of a particular type of drip coffeemaker, which piqued his curiosity and led him to visit the company's original store in Pike Place Market in 1981. Impressed by the quality of the coffee and the founders' dedication to the product, Schultz lobbied to join the company and was hired in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing.[3]

Education

Schultz attended Northern Michigan University on a football scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.[3] Northern Michigan University, a public university in Marquette, Michigan, later recognized Schultz as one of its most prominent alumni. In 2017, Schultz served as the commencement speaker at Arizona State University, with which Starbucks had established a partnership to provide tuition coverage for employees pursuing online degrees.[4]

Career

Early Years at Starbucks and Il Giornale

Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 as director of retail operations and marketing. At the time, the company operated a small number of stores in Seattle that sold whole-bean coffee and coffee-making equipment but did not serve brewed coffee beverages. During a business trip to Milan, Italy, in 1983, Schultz was struck by the Italian espresso bar culture—the sense of community, the ritual of espresso preparation, and the role of the coffeehouse as a social gathering place. He returned to Seattle convinced that Starbucks should adopt a similar model, serving espresso-based beverages in addition to selling beans.[3]

When the Starbucks founders proved reluctant to shift the company's business model, Schultz departed in 1985 to open his own coffeehouse chain, which he named Il Giornale, after the Italian newspaper. Il Giornale served brewed espresso drinks in an atmosphere inspired by the Italian coffee bars Schultz had visited. The concept proved successful, and in 1987, when the original Starbucks owners decided to sell the company, Schultz raised the capital necessary to purchase Starbucks and merged it with Il Giornale. He became chairman and CEO of the combined entity, rebranding all locations under the Starbucks name.[3]

Building the Starbucks Brand (1987–2000)

Under Schultz's leadership, Starbucks underwent a period of rapid expansion throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. The company grew from a handful of Seattle locations to a national and then international chain. A pivotal moment came in June 1992 when Starbucks held its initial public offering (IPO), with the company valued at approximately $271 million. The capital raised through the IPO enabled Schultz to double the store count through an aggressive growth strategy that attracted significant media attention and was characterized as part of a series of "coffee wars" as the specialty coffee market expanded.[5]

Schultz's management philosophy during this period centered on the idea that Starbucks stores should function as a "third place"—a comfortable environment between home and work where customers could linger, socialize, or work. He also implemented employee policies that were unusual in the retail and food-service industries at the time, including offering health insurance and stock options to part-time workers. Schultz frequently cited his father's experience as a blue-collar worker without benefits as motivation for these policies.[3]

The growth under Schultz's leadership was extensive enough that he was described as the "Ray Kroc of his generation," a reference to the businessman who expanded the McDonald's franchise into a global brand. Schultz stepped down as CEO in 2000 and was succeeded by Orin C. Smith, though he retained the position of chairman.[6]

Ownership of the Seattle SuperSonics (2001–2006)

In 2001, Schultz led an ownership group that purchased the Seattle SuperSonics, a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise. His tenure as owner coincided with the team's participation in the 2006 Super Bowl celebration in Seattle—though the primary beneficiary of that event was widely seen as Paul Allen, owner of the Seattle Seahawks.[7]

Schultz's ownership of the SuperSonics became controversial in Seattle. He sold the team in 2006 to a group led by Clay Bennett of Oklahoma City. The sale eventually led to the team's relocation from Seattle to Oklahoma City, where it was rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. The loss of the SuperSonics was a source of significant frustration for Seattle sports fans, and Schultz faced public criticism and legal scrutiny related to the sale. A trial examined the circumstances of the transaction.[8] Public opinion polling in Seattle reflected widespread displeasure with Schultz's handling of the franchise.[9] In 2008, the Seattle Times published further reporting on Schultz's role in the team's departure.[10]

Return as CEO During the Financial Crisis (2008–2017)

By 2008, Starbucks was experiencing declining same-store sales, rising commodity costs, and a perception that the brand had lost its focus on coffee quality and the in-store experience during years of rapid expansion. The company's stock price had fallen significantly. Schultz returned as CEO in January 2008, succeeding Jim Donald, who had taken over after Orin Smith's retirement.[6]

Schultz's second tenure as CEO was marked by aggressive restructuring. He led the closure of hundreds of underperforming stores across the United States and oversaw significant layoffs at both the store and corporate levels, including the dismissal of senior executives. The restructuring was described as a mass firing of executives and employees as Schultz sought to refocus the company on its core identity.

In addition to cost-cutting measures, Schultz pursued a strategy of acquisitions, purchasing several American and Chinese beverage companies to diversify Starbucks' product portfolio. He introduced the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program nationally, which became one of the most widely used restaurant loyalty programs in the country. The company also expanded its commitment to fair trade standards under Schultz's direction, enforcing ethical sourcing practices for its coffee supply chain.

A key strategic priority during Schultz's second stint was the expansion of Starbucks in China, which he identified as the company's most important growth market outside the United States. His aggressive push into Chinese markets was credited with reconciling the country's deeply rooted tea culture with coffee consumption, introducing millions of Chinese consumers to coffeehouse culture. By the time Schultz stepped down as CEO in April 2017, Starbucks operated thousands of stores in China, and the market remained central to the company's long-term growth strategy.

Schultz was succeeded as CEO by Kevin Johnson in April 2017. He continued as executive chairman until June 2018, when he was succeeded in that role by Myron Ullman.[11]

Third Tenure as Interim CEO (2022–2023)

On March 16, 2022, Starbucks announced that CEO Kevin Johnson was retiring and that Schultz would return as interim CEO while the company searched for a permanent successor. The announcement came during a period of significant labor organizing activity at Starbucks locations across the United States. Schultz assumed the role and led the company through a transitional period until Laxman Narasimhan was named as the incoming CEO. On March 20, 2023, Schultz announced he would step down from the interim position ahead of the originally planned transition date, and Narasimhan formally took over the role in April 2023.

Post-Retirement Engagement

Following his departure from executive roles, Schultz continued to engage publicly with Starbucks and broader business issues. In June 2025, he made a surprise appearance at the Starbucks Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas, joining CEO Brian Niccol on stage. Schultz expressed enthusiasm for Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" strategy, telling attendees he "did a cartwheel" upon learning of the initiative, which emphasized a return to the company's core coffeehouse identity.[12] Schultz and Niccol discussed the enduring importance of Starbucks as a "third place" and delivering performance "through the lens of humanity."[13]

In July 2025, Schultz joined Niccol again during a partner (employee) Quarterly Connect event, telling Starbucks employees, "The world needs Starbucks," and expressing his belief in the company's future.[14]

In October 2025, Schultz spoke publicly about his concerns regarding artificial intelligence, stating in an interview with LinkedIn's editor-in-chief Daniel Roth that he was "Worried—with a big W—about AI."[15] He also discussed broader themes of leadership in uncertain times, drawing on his experience at Starbucks.[16][17]

Political Interests

Throughout his career, Schultz was affiliated with the Democratic Party before registering as an independent in 2019. He publicly considered running for the U.S. presidency in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 election cycles, each time as a potential independent candidate. He ultimately declined to enter all three contests. His political positions have been described as socially liberal and fiscally moderate. In foreign policy, he has been characterized as a "liberal hawk," favoring American-led international engagement.

Schultz was outspoken on social and political issues during his time at Starbucks. In 2013, responding to a shareholder who criticized the company's support of same-sex marriage, Schultz stated that the shareholder was free to sell their shares, a remark that received significant media coverage.[18]

Personal Life

Schultz has two children. He has been a resident of Seattle, Washington, for much of his adult life, having relocated there when he first joined Starbucks in 1982. His upbringing in the public housing projects of Brooklyn has been a recurring theme in his public remarks and writings, and he has frequently described the formative impact of his father's struggles as a blue-collar worker without health insurance or job security.[3]

Schultz and his family established the Schultz Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on two primary areas: supporting military veterans in their transition to civilian life and combating youth unemployment in the United States.[19] In 2015, Schultz wrote an op-ed in The New York Times about the importance of connecting young people with employment opportunities.[20] The foundation's work was also covered by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, which reported on Schultz's philanthropic initiatives.[21]

Schultz has authored four books on business and leadership. His writings have covered topics including his personal story, the growth of Starbucks, corporate responsibility, and the challenges of leadership.

Recognition

Schultz has received recognition from multiple organizations for his business leadership and social engagement. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund honored him with the National Equal Justice Award at its 31st annual ceremony, recognizing his contributions to issues of social justice and equal opportunity.[22]

His leadership of Starbucks has been the subject of extensive business journalism and academic study. The comparison to Ray Kroc—describing Schultz as the "Ray Kroc of his generation"—reflected the scale of the transformation he oversaw in turning a small Seattle company into a global enterprise. Schultz's approach to employee benefits, including offering health coverage and stock options to part-time workers, was widely covered in business media as an example of stakeholder capitalism before the term became common corporate parlance.

In 2025, Forbes profiled Schultz on the topic of leading through uncertainty, highlighting his experience navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the challenges of multiple tenures at Starbucks.[23] Fast Company noted that even two years after retiring from the Starbucks board, Schultz's public statements continued to attract attention from business leaders and media.[24]

Legacy

Schultz's influence on the coffee industry and on American retail culture is a subject of significant discussion in business literature. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from a single-city operation selling whole-bean coffee to a global chain with tens of thousands of locations. The company's expansion redefined how coffee was marketed, consumed, and experienced in the United States and internationally, contributing to the popularization of espresso-based beverages and the specialty coffee movement.

The "third place" concept that Schultz championed—the idea that Starbucks stores should serve as communal gathering spaces distinct from home and the workplace—became a defining element of the company's brand identity. In 2025, Schultz continued to reference this concept, collaborating with current CEO Brian Niccol to articulate a vision of Starbucks reclaiming its role as a "third place" and delivering performance "through the lens of humanity."[25]

Schultz's employee-benefit policies at Starbucks, including health insurance for part-time workers and the stock-option program known as "Bean Stock," were frequently cited as models for how large employers in the retail and food-service sectors could provide benefits traditionally associated with white-collar employment. His personal narrative—rising from a childhood in Brooklyn public housing to lead a Fortune 500 company—became a widely referenced example of the American self-made business story.

His legacy, however, is not without controversy. The sale of the Seattle SuperSonics, which resulted in the team's relocation to Oklahoma City, remains a point of contention in Seattle. Additionally, his multiple explorations of presidential bids without entering the race drew criticism from various political commentators.

Schultz's influence on Starbucks remained visible well after his formal departure from the company. His 2025 appearances alongside CEO Brian Niccol underscored his ongoing connection to the brand he built, with Schultz telling employees at a company event that "the world needs Starbucks."[26]

References

  1. ↑ "Howard Schultz: How to Do Good and Do Good Business".Masters of Scale.https://mastersofscale.com/howard-schultz-how-to-do-good-and-do-good-business/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ "Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy".CNBC.2025-06-11.https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "Howard Schultz".Entrepreneur.http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/229728.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Commencement Speaker: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz".Arizona State University.2017-03-13.https://asunow.asu.edu/20170313-asu-news-commencement-speaker-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Starbucks Coffee Announces Initial Public Offering".The Free Library.http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STARBUCKS%20COFFEE%20ANNOUNCES%20INITIAL%20PUBLIC%20OFFERING-a012370965.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Starbucks Press Release".Starbucks.https://web.archive.org/web/20080117121159/http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=818.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Seattle Super Bowl scores points for Paul Allen, sacks Howard Schultz".TheStreet.http://www.thestreet.com/story/12287415/1/seattle-super-bowl-scores-points-for-paul-allen-sacks-howard-schultz.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "SuperSonics Trial Coverage".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.http://www.seattlepi.com/basketball/369313_trial03.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Seattle SuperSonics Poll".Seattle Post-Intelligencer.http://www.seattlepi.com/polls/popup.asp?pollID=2983.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Schultz and the SuperSonics".The Seattle Times.https://web.archive.org/web/20080419015637/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2004349361_schultz15.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Peter Mandelson: Starbucks Economy".The Guardian.2009-02-19.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/feb/19/peter-mandelson-starbucks-economy.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Howard Schultz says he 'did a cartwheel' when Starbucks CEO Niccol coined 'back to Starbucks' strategy".CNBC.2025-06-11.https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/starbucks-howard-schultz-backs-ceo-brian-niccol.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Brian Niccol and Howard Schultz on reclaiming the third place and delivering performance 'through the lens of humanity'".Starbucks.2025-06-11.https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/brian-niccol-and-howard-schultz-on-reclaiming-the-third-place-and-delivering-performance-through-the-lens-of-humanity/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect".Starbucks.2025-07-31.https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Howard Schultz Said He's Worried — 'With a Big W' — About AI".Business Insider.2025-10-14.https://www.businessinsider.com/howard-schultz-starbucks-worried-about-ai-2025-10.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ HayesJulianJulian"Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz On Leading Through Uncertainty".Forbes.2025-10-19.https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2025/10/19/former-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-on-leading-through-uncertainty/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Howard Schultz isn't running Starbucks anymore—but his latest warning should make every CEO listen".Fast Company.2025-10-16.https://www.fastcompany.com/91422968/howard-schultz-starbucks-warning-should-make-every-ceo-listen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Howard Schultz to Anti-Gay-Marriage Starbucks Shareholder: You Can Sell Your Shares".Forbes.2013-03-22.https://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2013/03/22/howard-schultz-to-anti-gay-marriage-starbucks-shareholder-you-can-sell-your-shares/#4aed60586511.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Schultz Family Foundation".Schultz Family Foundation.http://www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org/#tab-switcher-1.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Connecting Young People With Jobs".The New York Times.2015-07-13.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/opinion/connecting-young-people-with-jobs.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Starbucks's Schultz Opens New Foundation".Chronicle of Philanthropy.https://philanthropy.com/article/Starbuckss-Schultz-Opens-New/228699.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "A Moment Now: NAACP Legal Defense 31st Annual National Equal Justice Awards".NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.http://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/moment-now-naacp-legal-31st-annual-national-equal-justice-awards.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ HayesJulianJulian"Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz On Leading Through Uncertainty".Forbes.2025-10-19.https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianhayesii/2025/10/19/former-starbucks-ceo-howard-schultz-on-leading-through-uncertainty/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Howard Schultz isn't running Starbucks anymore—but his latest warning should make every CEO listen".Fast Company.2025-10-16.https://www.fastcompany.com/91422968/howard-schultz-starbucks-warning-should-make-every-ceo-listen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Brian Niccol and Howard Schultz on reclaiming the third place and delivering performance 'through the lens of humanity'".Starbucks.2025-06-11.https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2025/brian-niccol-and-howard-schultz-on-reclaiming-the-third-place-and-delivering-performance-through-the-lens-of-humanity/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "Starbucks founder Howard Schultz joins CEO Brian Niccol during partner Quarterly Connect".Starbucks.2025-07-31.https://about.starbucks.com/press/2025/starbucks-founder-howard-schultz-joins-ceo-brian-niccol-during-partner-quarterly-connect/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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