Leading Executives in Coffee Shops, Cafes, Tea Rooms
Brian Niccol
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Starbucks Coffee Company
Chairman and CEO since September 9, 2024, Brian Niccol is leading the “Back to Starbucks” turnaround across menu, digital, and store design following his acclaimed Chipotle transformation playbook.
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Jill McVicar Nelson
Chief Marketing Officer, Dunkin’ (Inspire Brands)
Elevated from VP to CMO, Jill McVicar Nelson steers Dunkin’s brand, product innovation, and celebrity-led campaigns (e.g., Sabrina Carpenter, Ben Affleck) as the chain leans into iced beverages and value offers.
Philippe Schaillee
Chief Executive Officer, Costa Coffee (The Coca‑Cola Company)
Appointed in April 2023, Philippe Schaillee leads the UK’s largest coffee chain under Coca‑Cola, focusing on brand growth in the UK and internationally.
Pano Christou
Chief Executive Officer, Pret A Manger (JAB Holding)
CEO since 2019, Pano Christou has pushed Pret’s post‑pandemic expansion and format innovation (e.g., meal deals, Club Pret), growing to 717 shops across 19+ countries.
Axel Schwan
President, Tim Hortons U.S. & Canada, Tim Hortons (Restaurant Brands International)
A longtime RBI leader, Axel Schwan oversees Tim Hortons in the U.S. and Canada, accelerating growth and strengthening U.S. strategy as Regional President.
Eric Lauterbach
President & Chief Executive Officer, Peet’s Coffee (part of JDE Peet’s; KDP acquisition announced)
Eric Lauterbach leads Peet’s as President & CEO, expanding brand reach and striking partnerships such as becoming Southwest Airlines’ inflight coffee in August 2025.
Karl Strovink
Chief Executive Officer, Blue Bottle Coffee (Nestlé majority-owned)
As CEO, Karl Strovink has advanced Blue Bottle’s sustainability agenda (carbon‑neutral roadmap) and market expansion, including new U.S. locations.
John in de Braekt
Global Chief Executive Officer, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Jollibee Group)
Global CEO John in de Braekt is driving CBTL’s international expansion via master franchise agreements in new markets such as the Maldives.
Dr. Jinyi Guo
Co‑founder & Chief Executive Officer, Luckin Coffee
Co‑founder Jinyi Guo has led Luckin’s turnaround and hyper‑growth since 2020; he remains CEO following April 2025 board changes that named Centurium’s Hui Li as chairman.
Yongchen Lu
Chief Executive Officer, Tims China (TH International)
CEO Yongchen Lu is scaling Tim Hortons in China with a “coffee + freshly prepared food” model and rapid franchising momentum across 80+ cities.
Scott Kennedy
President & Chief Executive Officer, Caribou Coffee (Panera Brands)
Named President & CEO on September 2, 2025 after serving as interim chief, Scott Kennedy is charting the brand’s next phase across 800+ coffeehouses globally.
Christine Barone
Chief Executive Officer, Dutch Bros
CEO since 2024, Christine Barone has overseen record revenue, a 1,000‑shop milestone, and strong same‑store gains as the drive‑thru chain expands across the U.S.
Paul Carbone
Chief Executive Officer, Panera Brands (Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bros.)
Former CFO Paul Carbone became CEO on March 25, 2025, tasked with advancing Panera Brands’ growth strategy following a leadership transition earlier in the year.
Gerry Ford
Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer, Caffè Nero (The Nero Group)
Founder & Group CEO Gerry Ford is expanding the European coffee house leader via acquisitions (e.g., 200 Degrees; FCB Coffee) and record sales growth.
Paul Reynish
Global Chief Executive Officer, Gong cha
Global CEO since 2022, Paul Reynish (ex‑Five Guys International, Dunkin’) is accelerating the bubble‑tea giant’s U.S. and global master‑franchise expansion.
Nie Yunchen
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, HEYTEA
Founder & CEO Nie Yunchen (Neo Nie) has scaled China’s ‘new‑style tea’ pioneer to thousands of stores and launched in the U.S., partnering to support rapid global payments and growth.
Malavika Hegde
Chief Executive Officer, Café Coffee Day (Coffee Day Enterprises)
Appointed in December 2020, Malavika Hegde has led CCD’s stabilization and debt‑reduction effort, keeping India’s homegrown café icon operating and refocusing the business.
Thomas Noroxe
Chief Executive Officer, Joe & the Juice
CEO Thomas Noroxe heads the Danish coffee/juice bar chain’s global push, backed by private equity ownership and a strong North American footprint.
Darren Tipton
Chief Executive Officer, North America, Paris Baguette North America
CEO Darren Tipton is driving aggressive bakery‑café growth in the U.S. and Canada, marking the 200th location milestone and targeting 100+ openings in 2025.
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