Brian Niccol: ₹827 Crore Salary in Four Months—Surpassing Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai

Brian Niccol, the CEO of the globally popular coffee chain Starbucks, has earned an eye-popping $96 million (approx. ₹827 crore) in just four months. This makes him one of the highest-paid executives in the United States and places his earnings above tech giants like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who each earned $75 million (approx. ₹646 crore) over the same period. This information comes from a Bloomberg report.

Niccol assumed the role of Starbucks CEO in early September last year. As part of his compensation package, he received a $5 million sign-on bonus a month after joining the company. A significant portion of his pay—around 94%—was in the form of stock awards, contributing to his total earnings. This package has cemented Niccol’s place among America’s top 20 highest-paid CEOs. While his annual salary was initially estimated at $113 million, Niccol's $96 million earnings within just four months are particularly noteworthy.

Leadership Transition and Perks

Starbucks brought in Niccol to replace the then-CEO Laxman Narasimhan, an Indian-American executive, following a decline in sales. Alongside his impressive salary, Starbucks agreed to cover temporary housing costs in his new location and provide access to the company jet. According to a recent filing, Starbucks paid an additional $143,000 for Niccol’s household expenses. Furthermore, Niccol’s travel expenses, including trips from his Southern California home to Starbucks' Seattle headquarters, amounted to $72,000, with an additional $19,000 spent on personal expenses.

Niccol’s appointment signals a strategic shift for Starbucks as it navigates a challenging market environment. The hefty compensation package reflects the company’s confidence in his ability to drive growth and lead Starbucks into its next phase of success.