United States drive-thru coffee chain Dutch Bros has appointed retail veteran Venki Krishnababu as the company’s new Chief Technology and Information Officer.
Krishnababu assumed the role on 16 December 2024 and brings nearly 30 years of experience leading transformational and enterprise-shaping strategies.
“Venki has deep experience leading technology strategies across multiple functions, including data and analytics, cybersecurity, and digital transformations,” says Christine Barone, CEO and President of Dutch Bros.
“Above all, though, Venki is known for his people-centric leadership, which aligns perfectly with Dutch Bros culture. His leadership will be key as we continue to invest in technology to enhance our customer experience.”
Prior to joining Dutch Bros, Krishnababu was Chief Technology Officer at Lululemon Athletica inc and has also held various leadership roles over 16 years at Nordstrom.
“Dutch Bros is one of the most innovative rapidly growing coffee chains, known for its friendly service, delicious drinks, and vibrant atmosphere,” says Krishnababu.
“What truly sets Dutch Bros apart from other coffee chains is its people-centric culture. Technology is such a critical component in delivering great customer experiences, building community, helping our Broistas and scale the enterprise to the future. My perennial focus will be to position technology as a strategic enabler of the company while embodying Dutch Bros’ people-first culture. I am excited and look forward to working with Dutch Bros, to serve our customers, teams, and business.”
Dutch Bros was founded in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma and operates more than 950 locations across 18 states as of 30 September 2024.
