If you just Googled "who is ceo of coca cola" while standing in the soda aisle or during a mid-day stock market deep dive, the answer isn't as static as it used to be. For nearly a decade, the face of the company has been James Quincey. He’s the British executive who famously pivoted the world’s most iconic sugary drink brand into a "total beverage company." But right now, we are in the middle of a massive changing of the guard that actually matters for more than just corporate org charts.
James Quincey is still the boss—at least for a few more weeks. However, the clock is ticking on a transition that was officially announced in late 2025.
Starting March 31, 2026, Henrique Braun will officially take over as the CEO of Coca-Cola. Quincey isn't disappearing into the sunset, though; he's moving into a full-time role as Executive Chairman. This isn't just a boring reshuffle. It is a calculated move to keep the momentum of Quincey’s "growth mindset" while handing the daily grind to a man who has spent nearly 30 years climbing every single rung of the Coke ladder.
The New Guy: Who Is Henrique Braun?
Honestly, unless you follow beverage industry trade journals, you’ve probably never heard of Henrique Braun. But in Atlanta (Coke’s HQ), he’s basically royalty.
Braun is a 57-year-old American citizen who was born in California but raised in Brazil. That dual-culture background is his superpower. He speaks multiple languages and has run operations in some of the most difficult markets on the planet. Think about it: before becoming the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2025, he was the guy running Greater China and South Korea. He also ran the Brazil business unit and then all of Latin America.
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Why the Board Picked Him
Coke doesn't like surprises. They prefer "insider" DNA. Braun joined the company in 1996—the same year Quincey did—starting in Atlanta and moving through supply chain, marketing, and general management.
- Deep Operational Roots: He’s not just a "finance guy." He’s worked in the bottling plants and the distribution hubs.
- Global Fluency: He understands why a consumer in Rio de Janeiro buys a Fanta differently than someone in Seoul.
- Tech Integration: Braun has been the primary advocate for using AI to optimize how soda gets onto shelves in emerging markets.
What Happened to James Quincey?
It’s easy to assume a CEO change means something went wrong. That’s not the case here. Quincey, now 60, is leaving the top spot after a highly successful nine-year run. When he took over from Muhtar Kent in 2017, Coke was in a bit of a mid-life crisis. People were drinking less soda. Sugar was the new public enemy number one.
Quincey didn't panic. He basically tore up the old playbook. He slashed 1,200 corporate jobs to free up cash, bought Costa Coffee for $4.9 billion, and ruthlessly killed off "zombie brands" like Tab and Zico that weren't making money. He even gave President Donald Trump a custom-made Diet Coke bottle for his 2025 inauguration. He’s a pragmatist.
His biggest legacy? Turning Coke into a "Total Beverage Company." Today, the company owns over 200 brands, ranging from Topo Chico hard seltzer to Fairlife milk and SmartWater.
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The Paycheck: What a Coke CEO Actually Makes
Let's talk about the money because it’s staggering. In 2024, James Quincey’s total compensation was roughly $28 million.
To put that in perspective, the median employee at Coca-Cola makes about $14,144 (this is a global average, which includes workers in developing nations). That makes the CEO pay ratio roughly 1,980 to 1.
Most of that $28 million isn't cold, hard cash. It's a mix of:
- Base Salary: Around $1.6 million.
- Stock Awards: Roughly $9.5 million.
- Stock Options: About $8.5 million.
- Non-Equity Incentives (Bonuses): $6.3 million.
Braun’s compensation as CEO will likely start in a similar ballpark, though he’ll have to hit some pretty aggressive growth targets in 2026 to see those big eight-figure payouts.
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The Challenges Waiting for Braun in 2026
It isn't all fizzy drinks and high stock prices. Braun is inheriting a company that is incredibly profitable but facing some stiff headwinds.
The Sugar Backlash
Even with the success of Coke Zero Sugar, health regulators aren't letting up. We’re seeing more "sugar taxes" across Europe and Latin America. Braun has to find a way to make the core "Coke" brand relevant to Gen Z, a demographic that is increasingly obsessed with functional drinks—think "gut health" sodas and electrolyte-heavy waters.
The Bottling Balance
Coca-Cola doesn't actually make most of the soda you drink. They make the syrup and then sell it to independent bottlers. Quincey spent years "refranchising" (selling off) company-owned bottling plants to make Coke a "capital-light" business. Now, Braun has to manage those relationships with massive partners like Coca-Cola Europacific Partners without losing control over the brand's quality.
The Emerging Market Bet
India is now Coke’s fifth-largest market by volume. Argentina just got a $1.4 billion investment. Braun’s job is to make sure these bets pay off while the US and European markets remain mostly flat.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Whether you're an investor or just a curious consumer, the 2026 leadership shift tells us exactly where the world's most famous brand is headed.
- For Investors: Watch the March 31 transition closely. Quincey moving to Executive Chairman suggests "strategic continuity." Don't expect a radical shift in dividends or buybacks. Coke is a "Dividend King" for a reason; they’ve raised payouts for over 60 years.
- For Career Seekers: Look at Braun’s path. He didn't jump from company to company. He stayed for 30 years and worked in every department. In a world of "job hopping," Coke still rewards "company men" who understand the plumbing of the business.
- For Consumers: Expect more "limited edition" flavors and AI-driven marketing. Coke is moving away from just being a drink and trying to become a "lifestyle" brand that uses tech to personalize what you see on your phone and in the vending machine.
The answer to "who is ceo of coca cola" is currently James Quincey, but the real power is already shifting to Henrique Braun. By the time the summer heat hits in 2026, the Braun era will be in full swing.