With first CTO hire, Starbucks further invests in tech

starbucks iphone app

Underscoring the large role that technology plays in Starbucks’ current business, the coffee giant is bringing on its first chief technology officer, The New York Times reports. 

Gerri Martin-Flickinger, who most recently served as chief information officer at Adobe, will assume the CTO role, the NYT says. She will replace Curt Garner, Starbucks’ current CIO, who will likely leave the company in November. 

“You will note that I have given her the title of C.T.O. versus the C.I.O. title of the past,” Starbucks COO Kevin Johnson wrote in an email to employees, according to the NYT. “This is a reflection of the fact that I am looking for Gerri to not only be a great leader of our global IT function but also to contribute her expertise to help shape the global strategy and technical architecture that we are building to power Starbucks into the future.”

Though often at the front of the pack technology-wise, Starbucks has undertaken several tech endeavors of late, such as the nationwide rollout of its Mobile Order & Pay functionality and the addition of new incentives to its mobile app.

Read the full story via The New York Times

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

The economy is surprisingly resilient

The Bottom Line: Persistent job growth and other indicators show an economy that has been shockingly resilient despite a host of pressures over the past three years.

Food

How Lion's Choice beefed up its roast beef sandwich, along with traffic and sales

Behind the Menu: St. Louis-based Lion’s Choice gave its signature sandwich a premium makeover to boost guest counts. It worked.

Financing

Taco Bell franchisee Pacific Bells continues its eastward push

One of the fast-food chain’s largest franchisees continues to acquire and open new locations. One of those new units could be in a ghost kitchen.

Trending

More from our partners