By Waylon Cunningham

-Starbucks’ chief technology officer Deb Hall Lefevre resigned without a permanent replacement, according to an internal memo sent to corporate staff on Monday, seen by Reuters.

The memo, written by Chief Financial Officer Cathy Smith, named Ningyu Chen, previously senior vice president of global experience technology, as interim chief technology officer.

Lefevre, a former McDonald’s executive, was hired in May 2022 as part of the chain’s focus on improving its drive-through, mobile ordering and other systems. The memo said she planned to retire.

“Our tech priorities aren’t changing,” the memo said. “We’re focused on the tech work needed to deliver our Back to Starbucks plan.”

Lefevre didn’t respond to an immediate request for comment Thursday night.

The global c

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