Starbucks Hires Former Au Bon Pain Executive Chef As New Vice President Of Food

On the heels of a new plan from Starbucks to double its food sales in the next five years, the company has announced the appointment of Stefano Cordova, a veteran of chain restaurant menu development, to the new position of vice president of food development.

Cordova, who was previously the executive chef and senior vice president of food and beverage innovation for Au Bon Pain, will be responsible for Starbucks food program "during the breakfast, lunch, and evening dayparts," according to Nation's Restaurant News.

Within the next five years, the company aims to have its Starbucks Evenings platform, which includes the sale of alcohol, available in 20 to 25 percent of its domestic locations. In 2013, the company also took over La Boulange Bakery in order to introduce a more extensive bakery menu.

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