Starbucks' (SBUX) fiscal first-quarter results topped Wall Street expectations as higher prices helped cushion a blow from weak volume.

Earnings per share declined to $0.69 during the three months through Dec. 29 from $0.90 a year earlier, but topped the $0.66 consensus compiled by FactSet. Revenue slipped 0.3% year-over-year to $9.4 billion, though it beat the Street's $9.32 billion view.

Shares were up 3.9% in after-hours trade.

Global comparable sales fell 4%, driven by a 6% decline in transactions that was partially offset by a 3% increase in average prices. Analysts were predicting a 5.5% decrease in same store sales. Comparable sales in North America and the US declined 4% each.

Earlier in the day, Starbucks said that North American President Sara Trilling and Chief Supply and Customer Solutions Officer Arthur Valdez will leave the company.

Starting in February, Mike Grams will become the North American chief stores officer, while Meredith Sandland will take on the role of chief store development officer, according to a letter by Brian Niccol, who assumed the chief executive role at the company in September.

Grams joins from Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell, while Sandland is former chief development officer at Taco Bell.

Trilling and Valdez will assist with the transition over "the next few months," Niccol, who has in the past served as CEO of Taco Bell, said in the letter shared on the company's website. Arthur's successor has been identified, but will be announced in the coming weeks.

"As we focus on our 'Back to Starbucks' plan, we need a new operating model for our retail team, with clear ownership and accountability and an appropriate scope for each role," Niccol said in the letter.