Starbucks Layoffs: Starbucks has planned to lay off 1,100 corporate employees globally as new Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol streamlines operations. This is the largest layoff in the company's history, though warehouse, roasting and store employees are not part of cuts. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said Starbucks is “simplifying our structure, removing layers and duplication and creating smaller, more nimble teams.”