Starbucks has announced the appointment of technology veteran Anand Varadarajan as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, effective January 19. The leadership move signals a renewed push by the global coffee chain to accelerate its technology-driven transformation across stores and operations worldwide.
The appointment was confirmed by Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol, who said Varadarajan will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to him. The role places Varadarajan at the center of Starbucks’ efforts to modernize digital systems, enhance operational efficiency, and support store partners through improved technology tools.
Varadarajan steps into the position following the retirement of Deb Hall Lefevre, who stepped down from the role in September. The transition comes at a time when Starbucks is investing heavily in in-store technology upgrades aimed at streamlining workflows, improving labor efficiency, and enhancing the customer experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
Before joining Starbucks, Varadarajan spent nearly 19 years at Amazon, where he built a reputation for driving customer-focused innovation and scalable technology solutions. During his tenure, he worked across multiple teams, helping develop systems designed to support rapid growth while maintaining operational agility. His experience at Amazon is expected to bring a strong engineering mindset and data-driven approach to Starbucks’ technology strategy.
Earlier in his career, Varadarajan held software engineering roles at Oracle and contributed to several startup ventures. This blend of large-scale enterprise experience and startup exposure has shaped his ability to balance innovation with execution, a skill set that aligns with Starbucks’ evolving business needs.
Academically, Varadarajan is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology. He holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and another master’s degree in computer science from the University of Washington. His diverse educational background reflects a combination of analytical problem-solving and technical expertise.
Outside his professional life, Varadarajan is known for his passion for long-distance running. He is currently working toward completing all seven of the World Marathon Majors, a goal that reflects both discipline and endurance.
With Varadarajan’s appointment, Starbucks aims to strengthen its technology leadership as it navigates changing consumer expectations and continues building a more digitally enabled, efficient, and resilient global operation.
