Former Starbucks exec to improve guest, staff experience at fast casual
Chris Carr, a former Starbucks executive, has joined Sweetgreen as chief operations officer, the fast-casual chain announced. Carr served as Starbucks EVP and chief procurement officer, most recently. In that role, he was responsible for $7.5B in purchases across the system while “accelerating customer insight-driven innovation.”
Prior to that, he held the position of EVP, Licensed Stores Americas, tasked with strategic planning, operations, marketing, and sales of $3.4B at 6.500 licensed stores.
Carr also worked as EVP of Starbucks U.S. Retail Stores, a position in which he was charged with the brand and customer experience at 13,000 locations, including company-operated and licensed coffee shops. Prior to joining Starbucks, he established his career at ExxonMobil, helping the energy giant with retail and operational strategies for its Global Fuels Marketing downstream businesses.
As the recipient of the 2016 and 2018 top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine, his leadership and contributions to the American business landscape have just begun to be recognized.
“With his experience in delivering sustainable growth in retail and supply chain, we’re looking forward to Chris furthering his impact on the future of real food and amplifying our growth ahead,” said Jonathan Neman, co-founder and chief executive of Los Angeles-based sweetgreen.
With Carr’s expertise in retail, marketing and operations, executives at health-centric and plant-forward Sweetgreen plan to use his skills in improving the guest and staff experience at the chain. Sweetgreen operates more than 100 stores that aim to improve the connection between customers and fresh, nutritious food.
Photo credit: Sweetgreen (logo, featured preview image)
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