Form 4: Starbucks COO Michael Grams Granted 18,514 RSUs

Starbucks' EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Michael David Grams, was granted 18,514 restricted stock units (RSUs) on November 11, 2025, vesting over four years.

Summary

• Michael David Grams, EVP, Chief Operating Officer of Starbucks Corp (SBUX), acquired 18,514 restricted stock units (RSUs).
• The transaction occurred on November 11, 2025, with a price of $0 per unit.
• These RSUs will vest in four increments: 4,629 shares on November 11, 2026, 4,629 shares on November 11, 2027, 4,628 shares on November 11, 2028, and 4,628 shares on November 11, 2029.
• Following this transaction, Grams beneficially owns 28,750 shares, which includes 70 shares representing dividend equivalents on unvested time-based RSUs.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The grant of restricted stock units to a key executive is a positive sign of management alignment with shareholder interests and a long-term retention strategy.

Positives

• Grant of 18,514 restricted stock units (RSUs) to a key executive, aligning management's interests with shareholder value.
• The RSUs vest over a four-year period, indicating a long-term retention strategy for the EVP, Chief Operating Officer.

Future Outlook

The multi-year vesting schedule for the granted RSUs indicates a long-term incentive and retention strategy for the EVP, Chief Operating Officer, aligning his future compensation with the company's performance over the next four years.

Industry Context

The grant of restricted stock units to a senior executive is a common practice in the retail and food service industry, used to incentivize long-term performance and retain key talent. It aligns executive interests with shareholder value by tying compensation to the company's stock performance.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) to a Chief Operating Officer is a standard executive compensation practice across major publicly traded companies, including peers in the food and beverage sector like McDonald's (MCD) or Yum! Brands (YUM).
• The multi-year vesting schedule is typical for long-term incentive plans, aiming to retain executives and align their interests with sustained shareholder value creation, consistent with corporate governance best practices.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Potential positive impact through increased executive alignment and long-term performance incentives.
• Employees: No direct impact mentioned, but a stable leadership team can indirectly benefit overall employee morale and strategic direction.

Next Steps

• First RSU vesting on November 11, 2026.
• Second RSU vesting on November 11, 2027.
• Third RSU vesting on November 11, 2028.
• Fourth RSU vesting on November 11, 2029.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine grant of restricted stock units to a senior executive as part of their compensation package. While it indicates management alignment and retention, it does not present new information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Starbucks, thus a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Starbucks, SBUX, Michael Grams, RSU, Restricted Stock Units, Executive Compensation, Form 4, Insider Transaction