Starbucks is looking externally for its next CEO, Howard Schultz says

Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle, Washington on March 22, 2017.

Howard Shultz told the Wall Street Journal that the next Starbucks CEO would be from outside the company.

After the departure of former CEO Kevin Johnson, the top job was once again held by Shultz. He has denied that he is going to stay in the top job past autumn when a new one will be named. By the company's next annual shareholder meeting in March, Starbucks' C-suite will be left alone, according to the company's CEO.

The company is facing a swelling effort by baristas to unionize in the U.S., as well as a recovery from the Pandemic in China.

"For the future of the company, we need a domain of experience and expertise in a number of disciplines that we don't have now"

Starbucks stock has been affected by the union push. Since he came back, the company's shares have fallen.

The company is trying to get fresh blood.

After the announcement of the CEO search, Andrew Charles wrote to clients that unionization publicity could be a factor in the company looking for a new CEO.

Starbucks has denied being involved in illegal labor practices. Starbucks is violating federal labor law by permanently closing a unionized store in Ithaca, New York, according to a Friday filing. A Starbucks spokesman told CNBC that opening and closing stores is a part of the company's business.

Here, you can read more about Starbucks succession plans.