Who Is Starbucks’ New CEO, Chipotle’s Brian Niccol?

Starbucks (SBUX) is set to meet a the new CEO. Brian Niccol, a great power in the restaurant industryis expected to take over next month, bidding farewell to his transformational mandate at Chipotle (CMG).

Niccol joins Starbucks (SBUX) TO a very interesting timeone in which sales are shockingshareholders are not too happy, and even themselves former CEO Howard Schultz is urging the company to act.

But even so, Niccol is probably the best choice Starbucks could have gone for, due to Niccol’s strong focus on culture, innovation and digital technology. These key strategies have helped revitalize and grow sales at both Taco Bell ( YUM ) and Chipotle (CMG).

Under his leadership at Taco BellNiccol played a major role in revamping the chain’s image. During his tenure as CEO of the Tex Mex chain, he introduced popular new menu items such as Doritos Locos Tacos and the breakfast menu. In particular, Doritos Locos Tacos are one of the most successful items the chain sells today. He also held other key executive roles at Pizza Hut, another Yum! trademarks (yum)– the owned company. Before that, he spent a decade at consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble.

to ChipotleNiccol has orchestrated a bold change with a revamped menu and modernized digital ordering. He rejuvenated the burrito maker’s brand, streamlined operationsand improved company culture. Not to mention those efforts seriously supported. The chain has posted consecutive strong quarters. Niccol’s leadership not only resolved past controversiesbut also set the stage for a rising momentum.

And now it goes back to Starbucks. The recent C-Suite shakeup could benefit the coffee giant in the long run, especially given its position as one of the largest restaurant chains in world. Its current CEO, Laxman Narasimhan, has already resigned.

Meanwhile, Niccol prepares for one of the biggest challenges of his career. He must not only win over Howard Schultz, the former head of the company, but also fulfill the requirements shareholderwho expect strong profits.

“There’s an old saying that no man can truly serve two masters,” said Jerry Sheldon, vice president of technology at market research firm IHL Group. But in Niccol’s case, with Schultz’s legacy looming large and shareholders expect high profitsNiccol must navigate a high-stakes landscape as he steers Starbucks through evolving market challenges and internal pressures.

Separately, Niccol currently sits on the boards of Walmart (WMT) and the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, the chain’s nonprofit.