Jan 28 (Reuters) - Starbucks ( SBUX ) announced a slew

of changes, including the exit of its North America president

Sara Trilling, on Tuesday as CEO Brian Niccol tries to revive

demand at the struggling coffee chain.

The company also appointed former chief operating officer of

Taco Bell, Mike Grams, to the newly created role of North

America chief stores officer, where he will be responsible for

retail teams and store performance.

The moves are part of the CEO's plan to bring sweeping

changes at Starbucks ( SBUX ), including lowering wait times and

implementing a "coffeehouse code of conduct" to make the stores

more inviting.

Meredith Sandland, executive chief of software firm Empower

Delivery, would be in charge of store development and design.

The company also said that Arthur Valdez, its supply and

customer solutions chief who joined in 2023, has decided to

leave.

The Seattle-based company, which recently said it would cut

some jobs to streamline management, said Trilling - who has

served nearly three years in the role - and Valdez chose to

leave their positions after the new operating model was laid

out.

Both Trilling and Valdez have agreed to assist with the

transition over the next few months, the company said.

Starbucks ( SBUX ) is scheduled to report its first-quarter results

after markets close on Tuesday.