SEATTLE Starbucks Coffee Co. promoted the head of its international business to the newly created post of chief operating officer in what the company described as an effort to facilitate expansion worldwide.
Martin Coles, currently president of Starbucks Coffee International, will report directly to president and chief executive Jim Donald, the company said. He will oversee both domestic and international operations and development.
The chain also promoted Jim Alling, president of Starbucks Coffee U.S., to the international post that Coles is vacating. Launi Skinner, currently senior vice president of store development, was named as Alling's successor. The promotions take effect Sept. 4.
Starbucks' previously announced growth plans are aggressive, with 2,400 stores slated to open this year, including 1,700 in the United States. The company currently has about 14,000 stores worldwide and plans to eventually have at least 40,000 outlets.
Before joining Starbucks in 2004, Coles had been president and chief executive of Reebok International. His management experience includes executive positions at Nike Inc., Gateway Inc, and PepsiCo Inc.
