In the show, top corporate executives pose as rank-and-file workers in [image-nocss] their own companies to see how things work at ground level.
When DePinto met Finkler, an electrical engineer who came to the United States with $50 in his pocket, "he blew me away," the CEO later said. "His truck was immaculate. Every store we went to, the employees loved him, and when I asked about overtime, he said I should be able to get my work done in eight hours. Any more would hurt the company."
So impressed was DePinto that he waived the franchise fees, worth about $140,000, for Finkler to open his own store. (Finkler was still responsible for a down payment, estimated to be several thousand dollars, on the inventory in the store, said the report.)
Though Finkler was clearly elated about his new opportunity Monday, a 7-Eleven spokesperson who showed up at the store told the newspaper that the owner would not be able to comment to a reporter before next week, when DePinto is expected to visit.
Still, Finkler's enthusiasm was apparent. He beamed and opened his arms wide to every newcomer who walked in.
"Would you like a donut?" he asked. "Maybe some coffee?"
As the focus of the episode of Undercover Boss, DePinto experienced life on the front lines at several 7-Eleven stores, with duties including making coffee, sweeping, stocking shelves, making pastries and making deliveries.
DePinto is first assigned to a New York store that sells 2,500 cups of coffee a day, more than any other in the system. Unfortunately, his work is not quite up to par, according to Dolores, the18-year employee who refers to him as "mushy-mush" after a coffee-brewing mishap. DePinto is impressed with Dolores, who he realizes is responsible for much of the store's repeat business through her ability to connect with customers, most of whom she knows by name. He also learns that she is on kidney dialysis.
At a 7-Eleven commissary in Baltimore, he is trained by Phil at making pastries. DePinto, in a performance comparable to Lucy working the candy conveyor belt, needs to be cajoled by Phil into speeding up his work. He learns that Phil is also a talented artist.
At another location, he works with Wagas, a night clerk who does not believe he can rise in the organization. There, DePinto is troubled by the amount of unsold food that goes into the garbage at the end of the day, despite a program in place to donate it to charity. And he is disappointed in the lag time for some corporate maintenance at another location; he sneaks in a call to corporate to get the needed fix.
And he makes deliveriesalmost blowing his cover at a store near his housewith Igor, an immigrant from Kazakhstan who loves the opportunities of America.
After his week is up, DePinto gathers these employees together to reveal his true identity and to praise and reward them for their hard work and dedication to the company. In honor of Dolores, he directs the company to establish an organ donor awareness program and contributes $150,000 in her name. He gets Phil freelance work in the company's marketing department. He assists Wagas in working toward moving up the corporate ladder. And he helps Igor become a franchisee.
Click hereto watch the full 7-Eleven episode of Undercover Boss.
Click hereto watch Igor on Oprah.
(And Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
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