Coffee chain Starbucks’ chief technology officer (CTO), Deb Hall Lefevre, has resigned, leaving the role without a permanent successor, according to an internal memo reviewed by Reuters.
The memo from chief financial officer Cathy Smith names Ningyu Chen as interim CTO.
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Chen was previously senior vice‑president of global experience technology.
The internal memo stated that Lefevre intends to retire.
Lefevre’s departure coincides with the company’s second round of significant corporate job cuts under CEO Brian Niccol, who is pursuing a technology-led overhaul intended to improve in-store labour efficiency as part of a broader turnaround effort.
Starbucks has reported six consecutive quarters of declining sales.
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By GlobalDataThe technology programme includes the roll-out of an AI-driven automated inventory counter across company-owned stores in North America by the end of September 2025.
It also encompasses a new point-of-sale system, an AI assistant for baristas, and a queuing algorithm designed to support staff in managing orders in busy periods.
The memo stated: “Our tech priorities aren’t changing. We’re focused on the tech work needed to deliver our Back to Starbucks plan.”
The company also unveiled closures of underperforming stores in the US, and job reductions.
Starbucks expects its count of company-owned stores in the US and Canada to fall by 1%, with several hundred closures by the end of the fiscal year 2025.
In September 2025, the company revealed the elimination of 900 non-retail positions. Starbucks projects $1bn in costs for closures, organisational restructuring and related activities.
Lefevre joined Starbucks in May 2022, after a spell at McDonald’s, as part of efforts to enhance the company’s drive-through, mobile ordering and related systems.
In February 2025, Starbucks cut 1,100 corporate roles, particularly impacting its IT team.
Indian IT giant Tata Consultancy Services has been increasingly involved in the company’s IT operations.
