"The store looks great. It's beautiful," DePinto said, entering the convenience store in an upscale Richardson, Texas, shopping center.
The two became unlikely friends months ago through the TV series, which follows top executives as they go to work at their companies incognito to find out what [image-nocss] they are really like from the bottom up.
DePinto, who posed as 7-Eleven trainee "Danny," met Finkler, an immigrant from Kazakhstan who drove a delivery truck for the Dallas based retailer. DePinto was so impressed with Finkler's dedication and cheerful attitude that he waived the franchise fees, worth about $140,000, so the truck driver could open his own store.
"This is my baby," Finkler said over and over as he moved through the store waiting on customers, cleaning up small spills and making sure everything was in order, according to the newspaper.
Click hereto view video from the Dallas Morning News.
At midmorning, DePinto walked in, almost unnoticed in his navy suit, light blue dress shirt and red tie, said the report. He looked like any other businessman stopping by for a coffee or a Big Gulp.
The two men hugged.
"When I met Igor, I knew immediately he would be perfect for this opportunity," DePinto told reporters. He said Finkler's infectious smile and boundless energy are what he looks for in any 7-Eleven owner.
Customers told the Morning News that they saw the same qualities in Finkler that caught DePinto's eye. They described the new owner as humble and friendly, hardworking and committed to making his patrons happy.
"We are tickled to death you are here," one customer told the paper. "I've been in here about 20 times."
DePinto, a West Point graduate, noted that he and Finkler shared a past even before they knew one another. "He was in the Soviet army when I was in the U.S. Army," the CEO told the paper.
"Now, we are friends."
Click here to watch the full 7-Eleven episode of Undercover Boss.Click here to watch Igor on Oprah.
(Andclick here for previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
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