Oregon drive-thru chain Dutch Bros said Monday it has hired former Starbucks executive Christine Barone to serve as the company’s president. Joth Ricci remains Dutch Bros’ CEO.
Barone, 49, oversaw various parts of Starbucks’ business during five years she spent as a vice president at that company. Since 2016 she has been CEO of an Arizona-based restaurant chain called True Food Kitchen, which has dozens of locations across the country but none in the Northwest. She also serves on the advisory board of Eugene-based Ninkasi Brewing Co.
Dutch Bros, based in Grants Pass, went public last year with the biggest initial public offering in Oregon history. The coffee and energy drink chain has more than 640 shops and is on track to open well over 100 this year, expanding in California, Oklahoma and Texas. Dutch Bros aims to have 4,000 shops nationwide within 15 years.
Dutch Bros said it chose Barone for her knowledge of the coffee and service industries and for expertise in digital marketing. The company said she will spend most of her time in Oregon.
“As we look to the next phase of our brand story, we’re committed to bringing in best-in-class leadership to help us scale and grow,” Ricci said.
Dutch Bros said it will pay Barone $625,000 in annual salary, with a potential bonus equal to that amount. It also paid her a $900,000 signing bonus. In addition, Dutch Bros said Barone will receive restricted stock awards next year worth $3.1 million.
— Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | 503-294-7699 | Twitter: @rogoway |
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