In recent pre-market trading sessions, shares of Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) and Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) experienced minor dips following the announcement of a leadership change at Starbucks. The shift in executive roles has sparked discussions among analysts regarding the potential impact on both companies' performance.

According to data from Benzinga Pro, Starbucks' shares saw a decrease of 0.99% during the pre-market session on Wednesday, after witnessing a significant surge of 24.50% the previous day. Similarly, Chipotle's shares also experienced a slight decline of 0.33% during the same pre-market session, following a 7.50% decrease on the previous day.

The diminishing share prices can be attributed to the recent announcement made by Starbucks regarding the appointment of Brian Niccol as the new CEO. Niccol, who previously held the position of CEO at Chipotle, will be replacing Laxman Narasimhan as the leader of the coffee giant.

The change in leadership has sparked divided opinions among analysts regarding the potential implications for Starbucks. While Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan maintained a Neutral rating on Starbucks with an $80 price target, Baird analyst David Tarantino upgraded the company from Neutral to Outperform and raised the price target from $81 to $110.

Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's Mad Money, expressed his views on the significance of the new CEO for Starbucks. He believes that Brian Niccol's appointment will play a crucial role in revitalizing the coffee giant, which has been grappling with challenges in its major markets, namely the United States and China. Recently, Starbucks reported consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales.

Cramer emphasized the importance of the new CEO's role, stating, "Brian Niccol is the key to a new Starbucks, one that can reclaim its old mantle as the 'third place' - you just need to know that this turnaround can't happen overnight."

As the new CEO takes the helm at Starbucks, investors and analysts alike will closely monitor the company's performance, particularly in its key markets. The success of Niccol's leadership could potentially influence not only Starbucks' growth trajectory but also the broader coffee industry landscape.