Starbucks Hires Former Au Bon Pain Exec For New Food VP Role

SEATTLE -- Stefano Cordova has joined Starbucks Corp. in the new role of vice-president for its growing food category.

He will be responsible Starbucks' food program during the breakfast, lunch and evening dayparts, according to Nation's Restaurant News. The coffee retail giant has said that it plans to offer the Starbucks Evenings platform, which includes beer, wine and snacks, in 20% to 25% of domestic locations within five years.

Cordova joins the Seattle coffeehouse chain from Au Bon Pain, the Boston-based bakery-café chain, where he was executive chef and senior vice-president of food and beverage innovation.

Separately, Starbucks announced that its chief operating officer and a 23-year veteran of the company, Troy Alstead, will begin an unpaid, extended leave of absence in March.