All the hubbub stems from two upcoming, high-profile television appearances scheduled for 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto.
One will be DePinto's appearance on the new CBS television show "Undercover Boss." As previously reported in CSP Daily News, DePinto [image-nocss] is among the participants in the new reality series that follows high-level executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their companies.
Each week, a different executive will leave the comfort of his corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of his or her company. While working alongside employees, the exec will see the effects his or her decisions have on others, where the problems lie within the organization and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make the company run.
DePinto managed to go unrecognized as fellow employees helped him, "Danny," learn the ins and outs of their jobs. Disguised in glasses and a hat, he even grew a beard to help conceal his identity.
"The most important thing I learned ... is how critical it is that we must take care of our stores and their employees who are taking care of our customers," DePinto said in October. "This is our mission, and all of us have an important role."
7-Eleven anticipates more than 10 million viewers will see DePinto working the coffee bar, in a bakery and delivering the company's fresh-made sandwiches to stores. "These viewers will see 7-Eleven as never before and will be visiting our stores," the company stated.
But even before that Feb. 12 broadcast on CBS, DePinto will appear this coming Monday, Feb. 1, on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to promote his episode of "Undercover Boss."
"Seven and a half million viewers... many of them women and younger customers... will see our great coffee and fresh food," stated 7-Eleven, which also noted "The Oprah Effect" that often follows an appearance on the noted talk show.
"The Oprah Effect is well documents and has sold millions of books and other consumer products," 7-Eleven stated. (See related video.)
To help franchisees prepare, the company offered several suggestions, including keeping the coffee bar clean and well-managed, and forecasting aggressively on all fresh food and bakery top sellers.
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