Starbucks taps new U.S. prexy, rehires growth vet

Nation's Restaurant News, March 10, 2008

SEATTLE -- Starbucks Coffee has promoted Cliff Burrows to president of U.S. operations from his post as president of the chain's Europe/Middle East/Africa, or EMEA, division, effective March 12. Burrows replaces Launi Skinner, who resigned as U.S. president after only six months in the position to spend more time with her family.

"We are also very pleased that we were able to name a new leader for our U.S. business from within our company," said Martin Coles, Starbucks' chief operating officer, who cited Burrows' successful leadership of the EMEA region and the chain's United Kingdom operations.

Jim Alling, president of Starbucks Coffee International, was named interim EMEA president.

Separately, Arthur Rubenfeld has rejoined Starbucks in the newly created post of president of global development, responsible for site selection, design and "creative concepting." He had been Starbucks' executive vice president for store development from 1992 through 2001, when the coffeehouse chain grew to 4,000 units from 100 stores. Most recently he was chief development officer and executive vice president of corporate strategy for Potbelly Sandwich Works, whose rapid growth has been backed by Howard Schultz, Starbucks Corp.'s chairman and chief executive.