Nestlé CEO says he powers through the day with 8 black coffees, 'sometimes with a KitKat'

Philipp Navratil’s own career has been closely tied to Nestlé’s coffee business. After completing an MBA in Switzerland in 2001, he joined the company as an auditor and went on to hold leadership roles in Panama, Honduras, and Mexico. (Image credit: Nestle, AI-generated pic)

Nestlé chief executive Philipp Navratil says his workdays are fuelled by a heavy caffeine habit, telling the New York Times that he drinks seven to eight cups of black coffee a day — often paired with a KitKat. For the leader of the $259‑billion Swiss food giant, coffee has become so routine that he described espresso as “a snack for me,” adding that he has no cutoff hour for caffeine.

Navratil, a Gen Xer who took over as CEO last September, said his demanding schedule and ongoing turnaround efforts at the company mean coffee has become a constant companion. His consumption is roughly three times the average American’s two to three cups a day.

But beyond caffeine, Navratil said what really keeps him alert is the push he receives from Nestlé’s youngest employees. Gen Z staff, he admitted, have forced him to keep learning and adapting in his role. “When you stop learning, then it is the moment to move on to another job,” he told the Times, crediting younger workers with sharpening his leadership approach.

Navratil is part of a growing group of global executives pushing back against stereotypes that Gen Z employees are unambitious or difficult at work. Leaders from companies including Colgate‑Palmolive and Stripe have echoed similar views, saying Gen Z brings openness, new ideas and a willingness to question outdated processes.

Navratil’s own career has been closely tied to Nestlé’s coffee business. After completing an MBA in Switzerland in 2001, he joined the company as an auditor and went on to hold leadership roles in Panama, Honduras, and Mexico. He became Nespresso CEO in 2024 before being elevated to the top job a year later, overseeing brands such as Nescafé, KitKat and Gerber.

For now, he seems in no hurry to cut back — on either the workload or the caffeine.