Starbucks' ousted CEO agreed to zip his lips

Don't expect a tell-all book by the recently ousted chief executive and president of Starbucks.

In order to collect his $1.25 million severance, former top gun Jim Donald agreed in January not to say a disparaging word about the Seattle coffee chain, according to a Thursday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Specifically, he cannot utter negatives to "the press or any individual or entity" about Starbucks, its business, its activities, its shareholders, employees, agents or relationships.

Starbucks and its board, in return, have agreed not to badmouth Donald.

Donald also agreed not to work for McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts, because they are "companies that directly compete with Starbucks field of business," the filing said. However, it notes, he is allowed to work for grocery chains, such as Pathmark, Albertsons and Safeway, and he also is allowed to work for other fast-food chains, including Wendy's, Arby's and Burger King.

Donald left the company on Jan. 7 and Howard Schultz returned to take the helm. Both parties also agreed to release each other from damages and claims, if there were any, and promised not to sue each other.

In the same filing, under another exhibit, the former president of Starbucks' U.S. operations, Launi Skinner, also signed confidentiality and noncompete agreements to collect 12 months of her base salary, an amount that was not disclosed. She also will receive $14,000 worth of outplacement services from the firm of Lee Hecht Harrison and a lifetime of employee discounts on Starbucks products. She left in March.

Skinner's replacement, Clifford Burrows, will be paid a $595,000 salary, stock options worth up to $250,000 and a possible bonus, according to another document in the filing. He received $15,000 in miscellaneous moving expenses, a moving van, and new home purchase closing costs.

New president of global development Arthur Rubinfeld will be paid $450,000 plus a $200,000 signing bonus, a minimum $292,500 annual bonus and 145,000 stock options, worth $2.3 million at Thursday's closing stock price.

Chet Kuchinad, who was promoted to executive vice president of partner resources, will be paid a $400,000 salary plus $400,000 in stock options and eligibility for a bonus. The word "partners" at Starbucks usually refers to its employees.

Starbucks stock closed at $15.85 on Thursday. It has ranged from $15.39 to $30.08 in the past year.