Undercover Boss (2010) s04e16 Episode Script
Epic Employees
Undercover Boss 4x16 - Epic Employees Original air date May 10, 2013 Male announcer: On February 7, 2010 - Hi, I'm Randy.
- I'm Walter.
How you doing, Randy? Announcer: The premiere of Undercover Boss set a new record for television ratings.
Oh, no, Randy, you went and lost all your papers.
Announcer: It touched the lives of more than I didn't think I'd be having emotional issues riding on the back of a garbage truck.
Announcer: Since then, almost 60 corporate leaders have gone undercover.
[Cheers and applause.]
Keep holding it.
Whoa! Do you know Mitchell at all? Modell? What do you mean? Announcer: From the biggest names in sports [Crowd roaring.]
Hot dogs.
Who needs a hotdog? You could be a lot more loud.
You can pull out the slop.
Announcer: To the dirtiest jobs on earth I was worried about losing my balance.
Falling into that would not have been pretty.
[Laughing.]
Announcer: Working alongside more than 200 proud Americans with big dreams.
- Whee - Whoa! Watch out.
Push it, push it.
Keep going, keep going.
- Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Unh! Announcer: Every boss and employee has been affected in some way by the experience.
Others here in the company have been worried about possibly losing their jobs.
I really let this company down.
I should have been able to do a lot more.
My mother told me flat out, "you will never be a good mother.
" "You will never make it in anything.
" How could you take, you know, this kid, and throw her out in the street? I just don't get it.
I just wanted to work.
I just need a job.
I don't think I'm supposed to do this, but I've got something to tell you.
My name is Sheldon Yellen.
- No! - And, Jen You're getting that raise that you want.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
I'm gonna pay off the mortgage.
You've taught me so much.
There aren't words.
I can't believe this is happening to me.
[Laughs, cries.]
They're giving me $20,000 to take care of you and mom.
And so I have on me a check for $250,000.
Oh, my God.
Announcer: Tonight, we will reconnect with memorable employees - who will never forget the day - Oh, my God.
Announcer: That person they were training was actually their boss.
Oh really, really? I want to give you a Announcer: What happened after the cameras stopped rolling When I got in the new car, I'm, like [Quiet shriek.]
Announcer: And how have their lives changed forever? Wow.
I have a house, yes! I used to be the Kim Kardashian of Boston market, but now I'm, like, the Shirley Temple of unemployment.
It's like America's sweetheart.
Announcer: Find out next on Undercover Boss: Epic Employees.
Over the years, Undercover Boss has featured many hard-working employees who had big dreams I am so thankful for this company, which allow me to survive and be happy.
Announcer: Like Igor, a delivery man for 7-Eleven.
I came in U.
S.
with no English, no knowledge of any culture, Announcer: Shortly after his episode aired, his dream became a reality when he was given his own 7-Eleven franchise.
This the grand opening of the new 7-Eleven store.
This is my store.
Ooh.
[Cheers and applause.]
Announcer: Another employee who hoped for a brighter future was Marques Marques, I'm Michael.
- How you doing? Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Announcer: An $8 an hour assistant manager at Philly Pretzel.
How many hours a week do you work here? - 60.
- 60? you know, I better get used to 60s now.
I have two daughters.
They're the best.
These girls want to be doctors, man.
I got a lot of college to pay for, man.
Announcer: And after seeing his dedication to his job, CEO Dan Dizio knew he had to make Marques' dreams a reality.
We have a new kiosk version of our stores.
I'm gonna put up the money, and open up a business together.
This is probably the best thing somebody ever did for me.
A few weeks after the show, Dan Dizio, he called me up to talk to me about the kiosk.
He said he may have something a little better for me.
He said he had a struggling store, and he was willing to make me Of course, I agreed, and here I am now in my own store.
I am here every day.
I have deliveries seven days a week.
- Got your pretzels - Thank you.
And I brought you some mustards and stuff as well.
I still bake, I still twist, I still wake up early.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
It just added responsibilities, of course, but I also get more out of it, and it's more personal to me.
I mean, it's mine it's wonderful.
Thank you very much.
Have a good weekend.
Does anybody know where I can find the boss? - Hey! - What's up, buddy? - How are you? - Good.
How's life, man? - Oh, good, man.
Good.
- It's great to see you, man.
- You look good.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
You changed my life for the better.
Well, you've changed mine, believe me when I tell you, man.
Really.
My outlook on life has been changed from you.
I knew you were going to do good down here, but I never expected you to do and I don't even know if you know how well the numbers are.
I mean, since you took over, it's up 80%.
- 80%? - 80%.
- So I mean, in essence - Oh, wow.
You've doubled the sales of this store since you took over.
So we never could have imagined that it was gonna be that good.
He's done a phenomenal job.
We can't believe what he's done with this store in a short period of time.
He's up more than anybody in our whole franchise system.
He's up almost 80% since he's taken the store over.
So he's doubled the sales at this store.
When I first met you, you kind of threw me off.
You didn't know how to twist.
Just grab the tips.
You just try to spin it around two times.
- Are these good enough? - No, they're not.
I am definitely trying to throw Marques off.
I've twisted millions of pretzels in my day.
I know you've twisted thousands of pretzels.
- Right.
- Wanna race? - Let's go.
- Let's do it.
- Set it up.
- All right.
First one to 40 pretzels.
Good-looking pretzels.
All right, first one to 40.
I'm gonna win.
Getting a little cocky now, huh? - Confident.
- All right, you ready? - Yes, sir.
- Go.
Oh, you stole that one from me.
I'm gonna steal 'em all.
They ain't going out like that.
Oh, no.
Final one.
There it is! Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute, wait a minute Look at 'em.
They look pretty good.
- This one's not thumbed.
- Come on.
[Laughter.]
- You got it.
- Good job, buddy.
- Thanks.
- Hi, daddy.
Baby! Come say hi to Dan.
- You remember Dan? - Hello.
When I was on Undercover Boss before, Dan gave me $5,000 for each of my daughters to open college accounts.
I had a financial advisor come and open it up, and now we're just trying to make those accounts grow.
- Daddy does a good job, huh? Girls: - Yes.
Oh, you guys are adorable.
I can take care of my daughters much better now.
Before, you know, I was nickel and diming.
And before means sometimes I couldn't get school pictures, or send them on, you know, the class trips.
You're not getting sick or pretzels? No? [Laughter.]
Now they can do those things.
I can take them somewhere and actually have the time and the money to go and actually enjoy them.
They even got cuter since the last time I saw them.
[Laughs.]
The store, for me, means, like, endless possibilities.
You know what I mean? It's my daughters' future.
It's my future.
- I'm so proud of you.
- It's good to see you, Dan.
Thank you very much.
Undercover Boss and Dan changed my life forever.
My family thanks Dan, my daughters.
I couldn't be more thankful.
- Have a good one, Dan.
- Okay.
Announcer: Not all employees impress the boss enough to get their own franchise.
Some employees fell short, like Ronnie Hello.
Welcome to Boston Market.
Announcer: Shift supervisor at Boston Market - I'm Ronnie.
- Hi.
So we're gonna be working together today, yeah? Yeah.
Announcer: Who stunned the boss with his opinion of customers.
Because none of them know what they want, and they, like, literally can't talk.
So you just kind of have to deal with it.
Well Announcer: His outrageous behavior led the boss to blow her cover.
So, Ronnie, I wanted to re-introduce myself to you.
- I'm not actually Rachel.
- Who are you? My name is Sara Bittorf, and I am the Chief Brand Officer of Boston Market.
- No.
- And you're on Undercover Boss.
[Gasps.]
Oh, my God.
Really? - Yes.
- You got me.
- I did get you.
- Ooh.
I got you saying a bunch of things about our customers - I did.
- That are really not very nice.
Announcer: She had no choice but to fire him.
I'm angry and I'm heartbroken and I'm disappointed.
I don't know if this is the business for you.
Oh, my God.
So so go home.
That's it? That's all? After we shot the show, like, that day, I went home.
You know, I talked to my mom about it.
I couldn't talk to anybody else.
And I sat on the couch in my living room, and I watched TV for, like, a week straight, just eating ice cream, being depressed.
I gained so much weight.
[Chuckles.]
No, I mean, the show is funny.
You know, my friends came over.
We'd hang out.
I just, you know, did whatever.
I thought it was hysterical.
I only saw it once, and I was laughing the whole time.
My life now, like, I'm just full-time student looking for jobs.
I haven't worked since then.
I can't find work anywhere.
I don't know why.
[Laughter.]
I used to be the diva I used to be the Kim Kardashian of Boston Market, but now I'm, like, the Shirley Temple of unemployment Just like America's sweetheart.
I saw, like, online how people were just, like, "oh, this doesn't actually happen.
" "This never happens behind the scenes.
" No, this happens all the time.
America, like, really polarized itself.
Like, half of America really liked me and agreed with me, and half of America really hated me.
People got pretty mean.
They were meaner than I was on the show.
They were.
About the whole gay thing too.
Yeah, yeah.
You were catching a whole bunch of flak for that.
I'm not gay.
[Chuckles.]
I got a lot of comments about being a homosexual on the show.
I'm not, I'm not.
I have my girlfriend.
We've been together over a year.
She's pretty sweet.
I like her a lot.
Everybody wants honesty, and then when they get it, they want to cry.
I do feel like a martyr in a little bit of a way, 'cause, you know, I'm sure everyone feels the same way, or has felt the same way at some point in their career.
And, like, no one's gotten the opportunity to say it, like, to someone that matters.
And I said it to America.
America is a pretty big deal, I guess.
I said my piece, and it got me in trouble.
The mouth got me in trouble.
Now I know what not to say on TV.
I do regret what I said.
I do regret how mean I was.
And I've learned that being a diva isn't all what it cracks up to be.
You're just a beautiful Southern belle.
That's all you are.
[Laughter.]
I'm a beautiful Southern peach.
I'm looking for a job if anybody is like, if anybody's hiring, and they want this pretty face at the register.
I'm totally down.
Totally down.
I want her to have the surgery right away.
I'm gonna pay for it all right now.
He just paid off our mortgage.
Announcer: How have some of the most epic employees handled the biggest rewards? - I have a house.
Yes! Announcer: - And later I don't know what to do.
With some people, I just want to punch 'em in the face sometimes.
Whoo, doggy! Announcer: We catch up with the most outrageous employee in Undercover Boss history.
I'm king ding-a-ling around this biyatch.
- Welcome.
- Dick Williams.
Dick Williams, nice to meet you.
- I'm Savannah.
- Hi, Savannah.
Announcer: Over the years, bosses who have gone undercover have met employees that struggled.
It's gonna be all right now.
I definitely can feel your pain.
Announcer: And many CEOs have found ways to help.
I'm gonna make you one of our Baja Fresh franchises.
I'm sending you to Australia.
[Wailing.]
I'd like to give you an additional $15,000 bonus check for you Get out of here.
To do with whatever you'd like.
One employee whose life has been transformed dramatically is Angel, who is an associate in the apparel department at Modell's Sporting Goods.
Hi, nice to meet you.
I'm Angel.
Brian said I'm working with you today.
Yes, you are working with me today.
Announcer: When her CEO went undercover and discovered that one of his most dedicated employees was struggling to keep her family afloat, he was heartbroken.
You know, we've been homeless for a long time.
We live in a shelter now.
You live in a shel what kind of a shelter? It's a homeless shelter.
Been there for about, like, two years now.
It doesn't matter, though.
Don't I don't want you to feel sad for me or anything.
What I want you to know is that things get better.
[Voice breaking.]
As long as you push and push Things are gonna get better.
Announcer: Mitchell Modell was so touched, he knew he had to step in and do something to change Angel's life forever.
I think about that homeless shelter, where you go home every night, since I left you.
It kills me to see that you're still there.
- So I have a check for you - What? Because I want you to move out of there immediately, - like tonight.
- What? No! You cannot be serious.
I'm serious, and so I have on me a check for $250,000.
Oh, my God.
No.
No.
Oh, my God! Oh, my goodness, no.
Angel, are you okay? After being on Undercover Boss, my life has changed dramatically.
It's it's a blessing.
Oh, my goodness.
The impact that Mitchell has had on our lives is undescribable.
We just moved out of the shelter.
We're in our new four-bedroom home.
We're looking forward to getting our new furniture, and just maintaining it.
Wow! You like it, right? Come on, go find your rooms.
[Kids shouting.]
Just to have my own keys, you know, I'm so excited.
[Laughs.]
I have a house.
Yes! [Laughs.]
Which one do you like? You like that one? Before the show, my job title was apparel department associate, and after the show, I was assistant manager.
So [Laughs.]
It's wonderful.
It requires a lot more responsibility, and I love it.
You like it? Good house, huh? I want to keep moving forward and moving up.
You know, I want to be a district manager, so you know, I want to learn everything that there is to learn.
I want to make sure that we're living up to the platinum Modell standards, and I want to keep moving on up.
[Door opens.]
Aah! [Laughs.]
Mitchell! [Laughs.]
Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh, Mitchell, look at you! - Wow! - You like that? - I love it.
- This is for you.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
- Come here.
- [Laughs.]
You look wonderful.
- I feel great.
- I know.
Oh, my goodness! Fabulous.
Yes.
[Laughter.]
Come on, show me around.
You gotta show me around.
Yeah, I'm gonna show you around.
- How have you been? - Fantastic.
Great.
This home, our home [Chuckles.]
It feels like Just stability, you know, and peace.
Look at the house! Look! Oh, my God, this is great.
- Yeah.
- I love the smell of the fresh paint.
It's, like, amazing, just it's still sinking in that I'm a homeowner.
- That's Israel.
- Hi.
Oh, gosh, how you doing? How you doing? When people say it to me, I'm like, "oh, am I?" "Oh, yeah, I am a homeowner.
" Right? It's amazing.
Hey, Tony, how you doing? - What's going on? Hey.
- Congratulations.
What we got cooking over here? I'm about to make some baked macaroni and cheese.
It's a feeling, you know, that I haven't had in a long time.
So it feels really good.
- This is destiny Angel.
- Hi, Angel, how you doing? How are you? Are you gonna show me your room? Hi.
Come on, I want to see your room.
It is such a privilege to have Angel as part of my life, and have her family part of my life.
So you like the house, Mitchell? Love it.
It's so warm.
It's so homey.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, it is.
It means the world to me to be able to help someone who's so caring.
How much do you love calling this home? I love this home.
It's it really seems like a dream to me.
You know, like I'm really not living it.
Because I just can't believe that anyone would do something like that for me.
So it's kind of unreal.
And how are you feeling? I see we've got a little - [Laughs.]
- Huh? - Yeah.
- [Laughs.]
A new little addition to the family.
I feel like I feel uplifted.
You know, like I could just I could do anything.
You know that I'm saying? It's just like I thank God that you came into my life.
- Things happen for a reason.
- They do.
You have no idea the impact that you've had on our lives.
Mitchell, you're wonderful.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I love you.
Thank you, Mitchell.
I can't wait to decorate this house.
I can't wait.
You gonna invite me back - again, I'm sure, right? - I am.
I am.
I just want everyone to know, you know I want Mitchell to know, really, how grateful and thankful I am.
All right.
And I got one thing that I want to do before I leave.
What are you doing, Mitchell? I want to make sure that all five of you get a great night's sleep.
Oh, my goodness, Mitchell.
So we have brand-new beds and mattresses for each and every one of you to make sure you're gonna be so cozy when you sleep here tonight.
- Thank you so much.
- Oh, my goodness, Mitchell.
- You're so great to us.
- Thank you.
Thank you so much.
- Wow.
Look.
- [Laughs.]
I feel really good about our future.
Get a great night's sleep.
Endless possibilities for me.
- Take care.
- Thank you, Mitchell.
Bye.
Bye bye.
Bye-bye, guys.
For everyone out there who's watching, I just want them to know that this is you, you know? All right, now fold this part back.
Just know that it's gonna get better And that I'm praying for you.
Announcer: Another employee with serious housing issues was Randy, a maintenance technician at Diamond Resorts International in Sedona, Arizona.
- Are you Randy? - Yeah, I'm Randy.
- Hey, Jack.
What's going on? - How you doing, buddy? Announcer: When he shared that his finances were in ruins, it had an instant effect on the boss.
I had a business in Flagstaff.
Young couple came in and were looking for a business to get into, and so we sold it.
Oh, that's great.
And then they just filed bankruptcy.
Oh, my God.
So you're left with - So - How much do they owe you? Uh, about 240,000.
Announcer: And the boss knew he had to help this dedicated employee save his home.
- You have a mortgage? - We do have a mortgage.
What's your mortgage? Um About 150,000, probably.
- $150,000? - Yeah.
I'm gonna pay off the mortgage.
Oh You've taught me so much.
And I'm gonna give you $50,000 in cash.
It changed everything in an instant, and a burden was lifted.
He's paying off our mortgage.
He's giving us $50,000 cash.
I wanted to give him a hug through the phone.
How could somebody be that generous? This is not $100 somebody lends you.
This is paying off your house.
Because Stephen had given us that $50,000, I was able to get a new start on the side business that we have teaching scuba diving.
[Generator chugging.]
I'm a master scuba diver trainer.
I teach at a couple of universities.
How many we got, buddy? - That's two, four, six - 15? That is my passion, and I was so excited about that.
I was able to buy a few more tanks, able to buy a used air compressor.
It helped out so much with that part of it.
Thanks for coming down and helping.
Yeah, no problem.
[Doorbell rings.]
- Oh, my gosh.
- How you doing, pal? Look at you.
I am doing good, my friend.
I have to tell you real quick, for a long time, Deb would get online and check the mortgage.
And she said, "how are we gonna make it this month?" "Because it hasn't been paid yet.
" And one day she called me, and she says, "it's zero!" And she started crying.
And I printed it off- the statement that said it was a zero balance.
Zero balance on there.
Oh, gosh.
Hallelujah.
Stephen J.
Cloobeck, he's just a great guy.
What he did for us, and what he did for other folks It's just amazing.
He's just an amazing man.
Thank you so much.
A pleasure to finally meet you.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Thank you.
Announcer: Another employee whose life was forever changed by Undercover Boss and Stephen J.
Cloobeck was Veronica, a spa attendant at Diamond Resorts International in Los Cabos, Mexico.
- Veronica? - Yes.
I'm Mark.
Announcer: After seeing her hard work and hearing her tragic story Daniela, she's my baby girl.
- Two hernias? - Si.
We need to save money for the operation.
Is it dangerous surgery? Can she die? Si.
We have to do the surgery on her.
Announcer: Her boss gave her a new lease on life.
Tell me about Daniela.
I want her to have her surgery right away.
I'm gonna pay for it all right now.
You're gonna call the doctor on Monday, and you're gonna go get baby Daniela taken care of.
'Cause I don't want you working two jobs.
I want you to spend more time with Daniela.
Daniela We did the surgery six months ago.
That day, cry, cry, and cry.
And I I was thinking everything is gonna be fine, and two hours later, the doctor say, "Veronica, Daniela's lucky" "for doing the surgery right now.
" Now daniela is healthy, and we don't have to work two jobs, just one.
And we have enough time with Daniela.
Enjoy her.
We have Daniela party today.
I'm happy with the party because it's a fancy party here in Cabo Azul.
[Speaking spanish.]
And Daniela enjoyed the party.
[All exclaim, laugh.]
We loved the party.
A fancy party.
All: Ooh [Laughter, applause.]
Veronica, you're a great team member.
- Yes.
- I'm proud of you.
I'm gonna give you 1.
3 million pesos to buy your new home.
Wow.
That is a a lot of money.
This is real? [Laughs.]
This is real.
- You are real? - I'm real.
Undercover Boss changed my life.
We have a new house.
I'm excited because, in my last house, I don't have a kitchen.
I hope you like it.
Okay, this is the living room.
This house is my dream house.
I'm really, really happy.
This is a great, great kitchen.
I can't imagine this.
I have a big kitchen.
I know that I enjoy to cook here with the family.
My own bedroom and air conditioners.
I love the air conditioning in Los Cabos.
It's too hot in summer.
This is just for me.
I'm really, really happy.
I'm really excited to take our first hot shower here, because I didn't have hot water in the other house.
I love my house.
My big house.
Now we can enjoy a normal life.
Today we are a happy family.
It's not rocket science.
It's a hole puncher.
Announcer: We check in with the most notorious employee ever.
I know how to grow some really good weed, if you're really interested.
Announcer: - And later - You're taking too long, Randy.
Taking too long! Announcer: An update on the first employee in Undercover Boss history - to fire a boss.
- You just don't have it.
- Are you Leo? - Yeah.
Announcer: Over the years on Undercover Boss, there have been many excellent employees Whoo! Double.
As you see, I like to pack it like you'd like to receive it.
Announcer: Some of the most memorable ones Ooh, doggy! Come on, girl.
Announcer: Are the ones that cross the line.
[.]
Customer service.
- [.]
All that.
- Yeah.
I know how to grow some really good weed.
Announcer: One of the most outrageous employees in the history of Undercover Boss was Jacqueline [Yawning.]
Announcer: A front-desk employee at Retro Fitness.
- Hey, Jacqueline.
Barry.
- How are you? - Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
Announcer: And when the CEO of Retro Fitness went undercover, he got way more than he bargained for.
I don't know what to do.
With some people, I just want to punch 'em in the face sometimes.
Oh, what is that would be bad No, you'll get there.
They set me up, you know.
I go into this show thinking that it was actually a turning point a new show that I couldn't find any information on online, which I should have, you know, been a little skeptical there.
I thought that Barry was my contestant.
And during the process, he was moving very slow.
You gotta pick up the pace, dude, come on.
He wasn't listening to anything I was saying.
It's super-explanatory.
Like, you would be literally brain dead if you can't get it.
Like, all I was trying to do is help him.
And at the time, of course, I didn't know he was the CEO.
It's not rocket science, it's a hole puncher.
Right? I know.
Now that I know that Eric was the CEO and founder of Retro Fitness, um I don't think I would change anything I really said.
I'm gonna @#$% kill him.
@#$% listen to me, 'cause I know what I'm doing, I know my @#$%.
How many times do I have to tell you? Don't @#$% with me, dude.
But that's just, like, my personality anyway.
I don't really care what people think.
- Hi, Jackie.
- Hi, Bob.
I think you know who this is.
Yes, I know who it is.
Hi, Eric.
At the elimination round, like, I saw Bob, and immediately I, like, broke down.
And I was, like, oh, my God.
You know, I look at Bob as, like, a father figure.
As soon as I saw him, tears were just rolling down my face, and I was, like, oh, my God.
You know that what No, because you know me, Bob.
Using language behind the desk And do you ever see that? Do you ever see me do that? No, 'cause I don't do that! You did it in front of the CEO of the company.
But I didn't know it was him, obviously.
I wouldn't have done that.
I wouldn't have acted that way.
- That makes it worse.
- At that moment, it really did become reality for me.
I'm disappointed, Jackie.
We have to part ways.
I felt like he probably didn't want to fire me.
But from what he saw, from what he heard, you know, he probably was, like, "this isn't the Jacqueline I know.
" Sorry.
God for-@#$%-give me, seriously! Like, I can't even deal.
Ma, which cup's yours? The one that is not on the table.
Okay, well, they're both on the counter.
This is my home.
I live with my parents.
After the show, I concentrated on school.
I'm a family and child studies major, and I love it.
Mom, I'm going to work.
All right.
See you later.
So I got a job A real job I'm so excited um, where I work with memory-care residents and assisted living.
I have, like, 35 grandmas up there, and grandfathers, and it's, like, awesome.
It makes me feel amazing as a person.
Thank you.
How's your family feel about it? I think how any parents, like, would feel seeing their child cursing and screaming.
Crying like a maniac.
But you know, they are supportive.
I'm young and stupid, so Undercover Boss made me realize, okay, I got it.
I'm an adult now.
Wake up.
Regardless of me cursing, regardless of my no filter, I have a really kind heart.
And I love who I am I'm gonna get emotional.
No, I really do love who I am now, and I'm, like, really proud of myself for who I am.
You live and you learn, and, you know, usually you don't make the same mistakes twice, so My best friend's gonna be famous.
Whoo! [Laughter.]
I'm gonna let you in over here.
- Okay, thank you.
- All right.
Announcer: Not all young employees made a bad impression on the boss.
People like Johanna, an outstanding crew member at Checkers, are motivated to do their best even when there's no clear path to advance.
The minute I get a customer order, - I go ahead and start making it.
- Why do you start so- - Because he can get his food just like that.
So tell me, if tomorrow you were just the manager, - what would you do? - You know what? Reward your crew.
We've never been rewarded.
Announcer: When the CEO went undercover, he was so impressed with her integrity, he made sure she got the recognition she deserved.
Johanna, what I want to do right now is I'm going to promote you into a management-in-training position.
It's a 25% promotion.
I'm okay.
I'm okay.
We've decided we're gonna give you $20,000.
[Shrieking, laughing.]
I [Shrieks.]
[Sighs.]
Is this really real? I want to give you a [Shrieks.]
My life has changed in a significant way from being on Undercover Boss.
I appreciate my job more.
I'm in love with my job.
I wake up with a smile on my face.
Hey, you guys.
Being a manager from a crew member I love the respect.
I love the respect that I'm getting.
Smile, suggest cheese, bacon.
Have a good time.
But just make some money, and let's go run our shift.
- Okay.
- Good.
Let's go.
With the $20,000 that I received from Checkers from being on Undercover Boss, I bought me a car.
[Panel beeping.]
[Sighs.]
And when I got in the new car, I'm like [Quietly.]
Aah! I just started screaming out the I screamed almost halfway down the street.
[Quietly.]
Aah! I cannot believe that I have a reliable car.
It drives wonderful.
I love it.
We got a Philly sub, no onions, add lettuce going out with it.
I did not know that me speaking up to my CEO would lead to everyone in my company getting a bonus.
This is the team member incentive program.
It started in 2012, and this tells you what it's all about.
We're a team.
There's no "I" in team.
When one do good, we all do good.
And we all feel good that we did good.
And we're getting rewarded for doing good.
I just did not know that me opening up my mouth would just take me to where it has taken me.
High five.
Give it up.
All right.
Good job.
High five it up.
Good job.
Good job.
Announcer: A memorable boss reunites with a very special employee.
- Tell me about school.
- School is amazing.
Announcer: And later You remember seeing granddaddy on Undercover Boss? Announcer: A moving tribute to an unforgettable employee.
Walter is the only person that's ever fired me in my whole career.
[Cheers and applause.]
Thank you.
Announcer: The corporate leaders on Undercover Boss have influenced and inspired countless employees.
This journey for seven days was the most incredible education, both personally and professionally, that I've ever witnessed.
Announcer: Some of those same employees have truly been an inspiration themselves.
- Dolores.
- Yes? - You're amazing.
- No, I'm not.
[Reverse warning beeping.]
Announcer: Like Christi, a terrain park crew member at Squaw Valley Resorts.
So what happens if I do this better than you? [Laughs.]
Oh, you gonna try to take my job? - I don't know about that.
- I don't think so.
Announcer: Andy Wirth, the CEO, was so inspired by her work ethic, that he gave her an exciting career opportunity after the show.
- Here you go, good-looking.
- Thanks for bringing that over.
All right, so we already got people here ready to go, so let's get the prizes out on the table, get people checked in and do this.
All right.
After Undercover Boss, Andy gave me this opportunity to do a paid internship in the marketing department at Squaw Alpine.
- Did you get a raffle ticket yet? - No.
With the paid internship, I've been in charge of events and helping out P.
R.
[Laughs.]
Oh, yeah.
Look at, she can't stop.
It's great because that's what I studied in college.
So I've been able to put everything I learned towards the mountain.
Because of Undercover Boss, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
I feel I'm just so grateful.
The biggest lesson I learned was to always say yes to opportunities that come your way.
Every opportunity is a new door, and you never know, ever know where it's gonna take you.
[Laughs.]
I have so many great things to look forward to now.
[Laughs.]
[Goat bleats.]
Announcer: Another employee who inspired his boss was Albert, a front-gate employee at Silver Dollar City.
We can never help our guests too much.
If they don't feel welcome when they come in, they're not gonna feel welcome in the park.
Let's go ahead and knock some more down back here.
He's a very fast-working guy.
It's hard to keep up with him.
If you guys have any questions, you feel free to ask, okay? Undercover Boss was a unique experience.
The main question I get from Undercover Boss is "do you remember the time when you asked Joel," "the CEO, for his job?" What do you think the ideal job is here? I would eventually like to be a CEO of Herschend Properties.
The answer is yeah, I'll never forget that day, because it was an honest answer.
It's very emotional for me to watch the episode because I'm reminded of just how blessed I am.
You're trying to work full-time, and you're trying to go to school at night.
You've inspired me to start a scholarship program.
I should tell you you're gonna be the first recipient.
Watching him, you know, give me that scholarship, and remembering sitting in that room, obtaining that scholarship from him, and just all those memories, you know, they come flooding back.
We're gonna actually pay you your 40-hours-a-week salary while you go to school.
Undercover Boss was a game-changer.
It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it let me make some new choices that I wouldn't have made without it.
So much has gone on in the past three years.
I've moved to Georgia, gotten married, bought a house.
I'm going to school full-time.
I'm now doing extremely well in school.
I've had my best semesters yet.
I get to work on the weekends, and full-time in the summer.
And so I still get to do what I love.
Hey, Chris, this is Albert.
How are the past sales? So I am still working for herschend family entertainment.
I've been promoted from a team member spot to area supervisor of the admissions division.
So all the hard work is paying off.
That one over there.
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
- Hey, Albert.
- Hey, Joel.
- How are you, man? - Doing good.
How are you? - Good to see you, man.
- It's good to see you too.
- How are you? - I'm doing wonderful.
- You got a haircut.
- I did.
- Man.
- More of a falling out.
That kind of thing.
Albert is always going to hold a special spot in my heart, because He was the very first recipient, that very first scholarship that we gave through "share it forward.
" He got the first one, and now we've helped hundreds of kids over the years get their college education.
So it's very, very gratifying.
- Tell me about school.
- School's amazing.
- Oh, that's sweet! 3.
84? - Yeah, I know, right? - Yeah, I took - Including math? Yeah, all the math.
Since Undercover Boss, Joel and I have had constant communication.
It wasn't just, "here's a scholarship", "and here you go.
" He's been behind me the whole way.
I was short the 4.
0 by probably four or five points.
That's great.
I'm proud of you for what you've done.
We took a risk giving you the first-ever Jack & Pete Herschend scholarship.
And you've stepped up.
You've handled it really well.
You've come here and done a really good job.
I am still working for Herschend Family Entertainment.
I plan on doing it for a lifetime.
It's what I want to do.
I just thank you for the job you did well.
It means a lot.
The one lesson that I've learned is that you just need to be yourself.
You're who you are for a reason.
Anytime you're put into a situation that might push your comfort zone, I've learned to take that risk.
And anytime an opportunity arises that you can improve yourself, you should take it.
All right, keep doing a good job.
Appreciate it.
I'm Walter.
How you doing, Randy? Hey, Walter.
Nice to meet you.
Announcer: One employee, Walter Settles, from Waste Management was memorable - for his high standards.
- Takin' too long, Randy.
Takin' too long! Announcer: But he became famous when he fired his own boss.
I don't think I'm very good.
I second that motion, Randy.
Nice working with you, I'm glad you came to Waste Management to try it out, but you just don't have it.
Walter is the only person that's ever fired me in my whole career.
Everyone remembers my dad as the person that fired Larry, the CEO of the company.
I was, like, "dad, you actually fired the man?" And, like, that's the kind of guy my dad was.
He was pretty straightforward.
He would tell you exactly how it is.
You remember seeing granddaddy on Undercover Boss? It's been almost three years now.
My dad went in for a back surgery, and he just never made it out.
I miss him a lot.
That was, like, my best friend.
I miss him.
You know, seeing him on Undercover Boss, and actually seeing him on TV telling everyone about his kidney failure and stuff like that, it made me closer to my dad.
I'm on dialysis, and that take up three nights.
How do you do all that? I let my spirit tell my body what's gonna happen, what I'm gonna do and what I'm not gonna do.
Because if I let the body tell me what I'm gonna do, I'm not gonna do very much.
Larry, he gave my daddy an opportunity to have personal time off to go and speak with different employees about his situation.
You know, just to be a motivator.
My dad, he wanted to help everybody he could in any type of way that they needed it.
Being on Undercover Boss really meant a lot to him because his hard work was recognized, so he was appreciated.
Announcer: Next week, the bosses are back.
The series' most epic bosses return - for an update of their own.
- Buenos tardes.
Use the muscle to get up, not momentum.
Announcer: An elite group of American leaders were - brave enough to go undercover.
- Whoa! Announcer: Many could not handle the workload on the front lines of their company.
Okay, he didn't teach me this part.
How do you get out of here? Announcer: And some were shocked at just how much needed to be changed.
I'm gonna go see your supervisor, and I'm gonna find out what's going on here at this call site.
Right here, right now, we're gonna shut the restaurant down.
Announcer: Next week, see how going undercover changed their lives forever.
It's all the things that you do after the show that make this show great.
I stopped hiding behind that suit and tie image.
We've made tremendous changes in then entire organization.
At the end of the day, all that really matters is is what I'm doing making a positive difference in the lives of the people I touch? Announcer: All this and more next week on Undercover Boss: Epic Bosses.
- I'm Walter.
How you doing, Randy? Announcer: The premiere of Undercover Boss set a new record for television ratings.
Oh, no, Randy, you went and lost all your papers.
Announcer: It touched the lives of more than I didn't think I'd be having emotional issues riding on the back of a garbage truck.
Announcer: Since then, almost 60 corporate leaders have gone undercover.
[Cheers and applause.]
Keep holding it.
Whoa! Do you know Mitchell at all? Modell? What do you mean? Announcer: From the biggest names in sports [Crowd roaring.]
Hot dogs.
Who needs a hotdog? You could be a lot more loud.
You can pull out the slop.
Announcer: To the dirtiest jobs on earth I was worried about losing my balance.
Falling into that would not have been pretty.
[Laughing.]
Announcer: Working alongside more than 200 proud Americans with big dreams.
- Whee - Whoa! Watch out.
Push it, push it.
Keep going, keep going.
- Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! - Unh! Announcer: Every boss and employee has been affected in some way by the experience.
Others here in the company have been worried about possibly losing their jobs.
I really let this company down.
I should have been able to do a lot more.
My mother told me flat out, "you will never be a good mother.
" "You will never make it in anything.
" How could you take, you know, this kid, and throw her out in the street? I just don't get it.
I just wanted to work.
I just need a job.
I don't think I'm supposed to do this, but I've got something to tell you.
My name is Sheldon Yellen.
- No! - And, Jen You're getting that raise that you want.
Thank you.
Oh, my God.
I'm gonna pay off the mortgage.
You've taught me so much.
There aren't words.
I can't believe this is happening to me.
[Laughs, cries.]
They're giving me $20,000 to take care of you and mom.
And so I have on me a check for $250,000.
Oh, my God.
Announcer: Tonight, we will reconnect with memorable employees - who will never forget the day - Oh, my God.
Announcer: That person they were training was actually their boss.
Oh really, really? I want to give you a Announcer: What happened after the cameras stopped rolling When I got in the new car, I'm, like [Quiet shriek.]
Announcer: And how have their lives changed forever? Wow.
I have a house, yes! I used to be the Kim Kardashian of Boston market, but now I'm, like, the Shirley Temple of unemployment.
It's like America's sweetheart.
Announcer: Find out next on Undercover Boss: Epic Employees.
Over the years, Undercover Boss has featured many hard-working employees who had big dreams I am so thankful for this company, which allow me to survive and be happy.
Announcer: Like Igor, a delivery man for 7-Eleven.
I came in U.
S.
with no English, no knowledge of any culture, Announcer: Shortly after his episode aired, his dream became a reality when he was given his own 7-Eleven franchise.
This the grand opening of the new 7-Eleven store.
This is my store.
Ooh.
[Cheers and applause.]
Announcer: Another employee who hoped for a brighter future was Marques Marques, I'm Michael.
- How you doing? Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
Announcer: An $8 an hour assistant manager at Philly Pretzel.
How many hours a week do you work here? - 60.
- 60? you know, I better get used to 60s now.
I have two daughters.
They're the best.
These girls want to be doctors, man.
I got a lot of college to pay for, man.
Announcer: And after seeing his dedication to his job, CEO Dan Dizio knew he had to make Marques' dreams a reality.
We have a new kiosk version of our stores.
I'm gonna put up the money, and open up a business together.
This is probably the best thing somebody ever did for me.
A few weeks after the show, Dan Dizio, he called me up to talk to me about the kiosk.
He said he may have something a little better for me.
He said he had a struggling store, and he was willing to make me Of course, I agreed, and here I am now in my own store.
I am here every day.
I have deliveries seven days a week.
- Got your pretzels - Thank you.
And I brought you some mustards and stuff as well.
I still bake, I still twist, I still wake up early.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
It just added responsibilities, of course, but I also get more out of it, and it's more personal to me.
I mean, it's mine it's wonderful.
Thank you very much.
Have a good weekend.
Does anybody know where I can find the boss? - Hey! - What's up, buddy? - How are you? - Good.
How's life, man? - Oh, good, man.
Good.
- It's great to see you, man.
- You look good.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
You changed my life for the better.
Well, you've changed mine, believe me when I tell you, man.
Really.
My outlook on life has been changed from you.
I knew you were going to do good down here, but I never expected you to do and I don't even know if you know how well the numbers are.
I mean, since you took over, it's up 80%.
- 80%? - 80%.
- So I mean, in essence - Oh, wow.
You've doubled the sales of this store since you took over.
So we never could have imagined that it was gonna be that good.
He's done a phenomenal job.
We can't believe what he's done with this store in a short period of time.
He's up more than anybody in our whole franchise system.
He's up almost 80% since he's taken the store over.
So he's doubled the sales at this store.
When I first met you, you kind of threw me off.
You didn't know how to twist.
Just grab the tips.
You just try to spin it around two times.
- Are these good enough? - No, they're not.
I am definitely trying to throw Marques off.
I've twisted millions of pretzels in my day.
I know you've twisted thousands of pretzels.
- Right.
- Wanna race? - Let's go.
- Let's do it.
- Set it up.
- All right.
First one to 40 pretzels.
Good-looking pretzels.
All right, first one to 40.
I'm gonna win.
Getting a little cocky now, huh? - Confident.
- All right, you ready? - Yes, sir.
- Go.
Oh, you stole that one from me.
I'm gonna steal 'em all.
They ain't going out like that.
Oh, no.
Final one.
There it is! Hey, hey, hey, wait a minute, wait a minute Look at 'em.
They look pretty good.
- This one's not thumbed.
- Come on.
[Laughter.]
- You got it.
- Good job, buddy.
- Thanks.
- Hi, daddy.
Baby! Come say hi to Dan.
- You remember Dan? - Hello.
When I was on Undercover Boss before, Dan gave me $5,000 for each of my daughters to open college accounts.
I had a financial advisor come and open it up, and now we're just trying to make those accounts grow.
- Daddy does a good job, huh? Girls: - Yes.
Oh, you guys are adorable.
I can take care of my daughters much better now.
Before, you know, I was nickel and diming.
And before means sometimes I couldn't get school pictures, or send them on, you know, the class trips.
You're not getting sick or pretzels? No? [Laughter.]
Now they can do those things.
I can take them somewhere and actually have the time and the money to go and actually enjoy them.
They even got cuter since the last time I saw them.
[Laughs.]
The store, for me, means, like, endless possibilities.
You know what I mean? It's my daughters' future.
It's my future.
- I'm so proud of you.
- It's good to see you, Dan.
Thank you very much.
Undercover Boss and Dan changed my life forever.
My family thanks Dan, my daughters.
I couldn't be more thankful.
- Have a good one, Dan.
- Okay.
Announcer: Not all employees impress the boss enough to get their own franchise.
Some employees fell short, like Ronnie Hello.
Welcome to Boston Market.
Announcer: Shift supervisor at Boston Market - I'm Ronnie.
- Hi.
So we're gonna be working together today, yeah? Yeah.
Announcer: Who stunned the boss with his opinion of customers.
Because none of them know what they want, and they, like, literally can't talk.
So you just kind of have to deal with it.
Well Announcer: His outrageous behavior led the boss to blow her cover.
So, Ronnie, I wanted to re-introduce myself to you.
- I'm not actually Rachel.
- Who are you? My name is Sara Bittorf, and I am the Chief Brand Officer of Boston Market.
- No.
- And you're on Undercover Boss.
[Gasps.]
Oh, my God.
Really? - Yes.
- You got me.
- I did get you.
- Ooh.
I got you saying a bunch of things about our customers - I did.
- That are really not very nice.
Announcer: She had no choice but to fire him.
I'm angry and I'm heartbroken and I'm disappointed.
I don't know if this is the business for you.
Oh, my God.
So so go home.
That's it? That's all? After we shot the show, like, that day, I went home.
You know, I talked to my mom about it.
I couldn't talk to anybody else.
And I sat on the couch in my living room, and I watched TV for, like, a week straight, just eating ice cream, being depressed.
I gained so much weight.
[Chuckles.]
No, I mean, the show is funny.
You know, my friends came over.
We'd hang out.
I just, you know, did whatever.
I thought it was hysterical.
I only saw it once, and I was laughing the whole time.
My life now, like, I'm just full-time student looking for jobs.
I haven't worked since then.
I can't find work anywhere.
I don't know why.
[Laughter.]
I used to be the diva I used to be the Kim Kardashian of Boston Market, but now I'm, like, the Shirley Temple of unemployment Just like America's sweetheart.
I saw, like, online how people were just, like, "oh, this doesn't actually happen.
" "This never happens behind the scenes.
" No, this happens all the time.
America, like, really polarized itself.
Like, half of America really liked me and agreed with me, and half of America really hated me.
People got pretty mean.
They were meaner than I was on the show.
They were.
About the whole gay thing too.
Yeah, yeah.
You were catching a whole bunch of flak for that.
I'm not gay.
[Chuckles.]
I got a lot of comments about being a homosexual on the show.
I'm not, I'm not.
I have my girlfriend.
We've been together over a year.
She's pretty sweet.
I like her a lot.
Everybody wants honesty, and then when they get it, they want to cry.
I do feel like a martyr in a little bit of a way, 'cause, you know, I'm sure everyone feels the same way, or has felt the same way at some point in their career.
And, like, no one's gotten the opportunity to say it, like, to someone that matters.
And I said it to America.
America is a pretty big deal, I guess.
I said my piece, and it got me in trouble.
The mouth got me in trouble.
Now I know what not to say on TV.
I do regret what I said.
I do regret how mean I was.
And I've learned that being a diva isn't all what it cracks up to be.
You're just a beautiful Southern belle.
That's all you are.
[Laughter.]
I'm a beautiful Southern peach.
I'm looking for a job if anybody is like, if anybody's hiring, and they want this pretty face at the register.
I'm totally down.
Totally down.
I want her to have the surgery right away.
I'm gonna pay for it all right now.
He just paid off our mortgage.
Announcer: How have some of the most epic employees handled the biggest rewards? - I have a house.
Yes! Announcer: - And later I don't know what to do.
With some people, I just want to punch 'em in the face sometimes.
Whoo, doggy! Announcer: We catch up with the most outrageous employee in Undercover Boss history.
I'm king ding-a-ling around this biyatch.
- Welcome.
- Dick Williams.
Dick Williams, nice to meet you.
- I'm Savannah.
- Hi, Savannah.
Announcer: Over the years, bosses who have gone undercover have met employees that struggled.
It's gonna be all right now.
I definitely can feel your pain.
Announcer: And many CEOs have found ways to help.
I'm gonna make you one of our Baja Fresh franchises.
I'm sending you to Australia.
[Wailing.]
I'd like to give you an additional $15,000 bonus check for you Get out of here.
To do with whatever you'd like.
One employee whose life has been transformed dramatically is Angel, who is an associate in the apparel department at Modell's Sporting Goods.
Hi, nice to meet you.
I'm Angel.
Brian said I'm working with you today.
Yes, you are working with me today.
Announcer: When her CEO went undercover and discovered that one of his most dedicated employees was struggling to keep her family afloat, he was heartbroken.
You know, we've been homeless for a long time.
We live in a shelter now.
You live in a shel what kind of a shelter? It's a homeless shelter.
Been there for about, like, two years now.
It doesn't matter, though.
Don't I don't want you to feel sad for me or anything.
What I want you to know is that things get better.
[Voice breaking.]
As long as you push and push Things are gonna get better.
Announcer: Mitchell Modell was so touched, he knew he had to step in and do something to change Angel's life forever.
I think about that homeless shelter, where you go home every night, since I left you.
It kills me to see that you're still there.
- So I have a check for you - What? Because I want you to move out of there immediately, - like tonight.
- What? No! You cannot be serious.
I'm serious, and so I have on me a check for $250,000.
Oh, my God.
No.
No.
Oh, my God! Oh, my goodness, no.
Angel, are you okay? After being on Undercover Boss, my life has changed dramatically.
It's it's a blessing.
Oh, my goodness.
The impact that Mitchell has had on our lives is undescribable.
We just moved out of the shelter.
We're in our new four-bedroom home.
We're looking forward to getting our new furniture, and just maintaining it.
Wow! You like it, right? Come on, go find your rooms.
[Kids shouting.]
Just to have my own keys, you know, I'm so excited.
[Laughs.]
I have a house.
Yes! [Laughs.]
Which one do you like? You like that one? Before the show, my job title was apparel department associate, and after the show, I was assistant manager.
So [Laughs.]
It's wonderful.
It requires a lot more responsibility, and I love it.
You like it? Good house, huh? I want to keep moving forward and moving up.
You know, I want to be a district manager, so you know, I want to learn everything that there is to learn.
I want to make sure that we're living up to the platinum Modell standards, and I want to keep moving on up.
[Door opens.]
Aah! [Laughs.]
Mitchell! [Laughs.]
Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh, Mitchell, look at you! - Wow! - You like that? - I love it.
- This is for you.
- Congratulations.
- Thank you.
Thank you.
- Come here.
- [Laughs.]
You look wonderful.
- I feel great.
- I know.
Oh, my goodness! Fabulous.
Yes.
[Laughter.]
Come on, show me around.
You gotta show me around.
Yeah, I'm gonna show you around.
- How have you been? - Fantastic.
Great.
This home, our home [Chuckles.]
It feels like Just stability, you know, and peace.
Look at the house! Look! Oh, my God, this is great.
- Yeah.
- I love the smell of the fresh paint.
It's, like, amazing, just it's still sinking in that I'm a homeowner.
- That's Israel.
- Hi.
Oh, gosh, how you doing? How you doing? When people say it to me, I'm like, "oh, am I?" "Oh, yeah, I am a homeowner.
" Right? It's amazing.
Hey, Tony, how you doing? - What's going on? Hey.
- Congratulations.
What we got cooking over here? I'm about to make some baked macaroni and cheese.
It's a feeling, you know, that I haven't had in a long time.
So it feels really good.
- This is destiny Angel.
- Hi, Angel, how you doing? How are you? Are you gonna show me your room? Hi.
Come on, I want to see your room.
It is such a privilege to have Angel as part of my life, and have her family part of my life.
So you like the house, Mitchell? Love it.
It's so warm.
It's so homey.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, it is.
It means the world to me to be able to help someone who's so caring.
How much do you love calling this home? I love this home.
It's it really seems like a dream to me.
You know, like I'm really not living it.
Because I just can't believe that anyone would do something like that for me.
So it's kind of unreal.
And how are you feeling? I see we've got a little - [Laughs.]
- Huh? - Yeah.
- [Laughs.]
A new little addition to the family.
I feel like I feel uplifted.
You know, like I could just I could do anything.
You know that I'm saying? It's just like I thank God that you came into my life.
- Things happen for a reason.
- They do.
You have no idea the impact that you've had on our lives.
Mitchell, you're wonderful.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
I love you.
Thank you, Mitchell.
I can't wait to decorate this house.
I can't wait.
You gonna invite me back - again, I'm sure, right? - I am.
I am.
I just want everyone to know, you know I want Mitchell to know, really, how grateful and thankful I am.
All right.
And I got one thing that I want to do before I leave.
What are you doing, Mitchell? I want to make sure that all five of you get a great night's sleep.
Oh, my goodness, Mitchell.
So we have brand-new beds and mattresses for each and every one of you to make sure you're gonna be so cozy when you sleep here tonight.
- Thank you so much.
- Oh, my goodness, Mitchell.
- You're so great to us.
- Thank you.
Thank you so much.
- Wow.
Look.
- [Laughs.]
I feel really good about our future.
Get a great night's sleep.
Endless possibilities for me.
- Take care.
- Thank you, Mitchell.
Bye.
Bye bye.
Bye-bye, guys.
For everyone out there who's watching, I just want them to know that this is you, you know? All right, now fold this part back.
Just know that it's gonna get better And that I'm praying for you.
Announcer: Another employee with serious housing issues was Randy, a maintenance technician at Diamond Resorts International in Sedona, Arizona.
- Are you Randy? - Yeah, I'm Randy.
- Hey, Jack.
What's going on? - How you doing, buddy? Announcer: When he shared that his finances were in ruins, it had an instant effect on the boss.
I had a business in Flagstaff.
Young couple came in and were looking for a business to get into, and so we sold it.
Oh, that's great.
And then they just filed bankruptcy.
Oh, my God.
So you're left with - So - How much do they owe you? Uh, about 240,000.
Announcer: And the boss knew he had to help this dedicated employee save his home.
- You have a mortgage? - We do have a mortgage.
What's your mortgage? Um About 150,000, probably.
- $150,000? - Yeah.
I'm gonna pay off the mortgage.
Oh You've taught me so much.
And I'm gonna give you $50,000 in cash.
It changed everything in an instant, and a burden was lifted.
He's paying off our mortgage.
He's giving us $50,000 cash.
I wanted to give him a hug through the phone.
How could somebody be that generous? This is not $100 somebody lends you.
This is paying off your house.
Because Stephen had given us that $50,000, I was able to get a new start on the side business that we have teaching scuba diving.
[Generator chugging.]
I'm a master scuba diver trainer.
I teach at a couple of universities.
How many we got, buddy? - That's two, four, six - 15? That is my passion, and I was so excited about that.
I was able to buy a few more tanks, able to buy a used air compressor.
It helped out so much with that part of it.
Thanks for coming down and helping.
Yeah, no problem.
[Doorbell rings.]
- Oh, my gosh.
- How you doing, pal? Look at you.
I am doing good, my friend.
I have to tell you real quick, for a long time, Deb would get online and check the mortgage.
And she said, "how are we gonna make it this month?" "Because it hasn't been paid yet.
" And one day she called me, and she says, "it's zero!" And she started crying.
And I printed it off- the statement that said it was a zero balance.
Zero balance on there.
Oh, gosh.
Hallelujah.
Stephen J.
Cloobeck, he's just a great guy.
What he did for us, and what he did for other folks It's just amazing.
He's just an amazing man.
Thank you so much.
A pleasure to finally meet you.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Thank you.
Announcer: Another employee whose life was forever changed by Undercover Boss and Stephen J.
Cloobeck was Veronica, a spa attendant at Diamond Resorts International in Los Cabos, Mexico.
- Veronica? - Yes.
I'm Mark.
Announcer: After seeing her hard work and hearing her tragic story Daniela, she's my baby girl.
- Two hernias? - Si.
We need to save money for the operation.
Is it dangerous surgery? Can she die? Si.
We have to do the surgery on her.
Announcer: Her boss gave her a new lease on life.
Tell me about Daniela.
I want her to have her surgery right away.
I'm gonna pay for it all right now.
You're gonna call the doctor on Monday, and you're gonna go get baby Daniela taken care of.
'Cause I don't want you working two jobs.
I want you to spend more time with Daniela.
Daniela We did the surgery six months ago.
That day, cry, cry, and cry.
And I I was thinking everything is gonna be fine, and two hours later, the doctor say, "Veronica, Daniela's lucky" "for doing the surgery right now.
" Now daniela is healthy, and we don't have to work two jobs, just one.
And we have enough time with Daniela.
Enjoy her.
We have Daniela party today.
I'm happy with the party because it's a fancy party here in Cabo Azul.
[Speaking spanish.]
And Daniela enjoyed the party.
[All exclaim, laugh.]
We loved the party.
A fancy party.
All: Ooh [Laughter, applause.]
Veronica, you're a great team member.
- Yes.
- I'm proud of you.
I'm gonna give you 1.
3 million pesos to buy your new home.
Wow.
That is a a lot of money.
This is real? [Laughs.]
This is real.
- You are real? - I'm real.
Undercover Boss changed my life.
We have a new house.
I'm excited because, in my last house, I don't have a kitchen.
I hope you like it.
Okay, this is the living room.
This house is my dream house.
I'm really, really happy.
This is a great, great kitchen.
I can't imagine this.
I have a big kitchen.
I know that I enjoy to cook here with the family.
My own bedroom and air conditioners.
I love the air conditioning in Los Cabos.
It's too hot in summer.
This is just for me.
I'm really, really happy.
I'm really excited to take our first hot shower here, because I didn't have hot water in the other house.
I love my house.
My big house.
Now we can enjoy a normal life.
Today we are a happy family.
It's not rocket science.
It's a hole puncher.
Announcer: We check in with the most notorious employee ever.
I know how to grow some really good weed, if you're really interested.
Announcer: - And later - You're taking too long, Randy.
Taking too long! Announcer: An update on the first employee in Undercover Boss history - to fire a boss.
- You just don't have it.
- Are you Leo? - Yeah.
Announcer: Over the years on Undercover Boss, there have been many excellent employees Whoo! Double.
As you see, I like to pack it like you'd like to receive it.
Announcer: Some of the most memorable ones Ooh, doggy! Come on, girl.
Announcer: Are the ones that cross the line.
[.]
Customer service.
- [.]
All that.
- Yeah.
I know how to grow some really good weed.
Announcer: One of the most outrageous employees in the history of Undercover Boss was Jacqueline [Yawning.]
Announcer: A front-desk employee at Retro Fitness.
- Hey, Jacqueline.
Barry.
- How are you? - Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you too.
Announcer: And when the CEO of Retro Fitness went undercover, he got way more than he bargained for.
I don't know what to do.
With some people, I just want to punch 'em in the face sometimes.
Oh, what is that would be bad No, you'll get there.
They set me up, you know.
I go into this show thinking that it was actually a turning point a new show that I couldn't find any information on online, which I should have, you know, been a little skeptical there.
I thought that Barry was my contestant.
And during the process, he was moving very slow.
You gotta pick up the pace, dude, come on.
He wasn't listening to anything I was saying.
It's super-explanatory.
Like, you would be literally brain dead if you can't get it.
Like, all I was trying to do is help him.
And at the time, of course, I didn't know he was the CEO.
It's not rocket science, it's a hole puncher.
Right? I know.
Now that I know that Eric was the CEO and founder of Retro Fitness, um I don't think I would change anything I really said.
I'm gonna @#$% kill him.
@#$% listen to me, 'cause I know what I'm doing, I know my @#$%.
How many times do I have to tell you? Don't @#$% with me, dude.
But that's just, like, my personality anyway.
I don't really care what people think.
- Hi, Jackie.
- Hi, Bob.
I think you know who this is.
Yes, I know who it is.
Hi, Eric.
At the elimination round, like, I saw Bob, and immediately I, like, broke down.
And I was, like, oh, my God.
You know, I look at Bob as, like, a father figure.
As soon as I saw him, tears were just rolling down my face, and I was, like, oh, my God.
You know that what No, because you know me, Bob.
Using language behind the desk And do you ever see that? Do you ever see me do that? No, 'cause I don't do that! You did it in front of the CEO of the company.
But I didn't know it was him, obviously.
I wouldn't have done that.
I wouldn't have acted that way.
- That makes it worse.
- At that moment, it really did become reality for me.
I'm disappointed, Jackie.
We have to part ways.
I felt like he probably didn't want to fire me.
But from what he saw, from what he heard, you know, he probably was, like, "this isn't the Jacqueline I know.
" Sorry.
God for-@#$%-give me, seriously! Like, I can't even deal.
Ma, which cup's yours? The one that is not on the table.
Okay, well, they're both on the counter.
This is my home.
I live with my parents.
After the show, I concentrated on school.
I'm a family and child studies major, and I love it.
Mom, I'm going to work.
All right.
See you later.
So I got a job A real job I'm so excited um, where I work with memory-care residents and assisted living.
I have, like, 35 grandmas up there, and grandfathers, and it's, like, awesome.
It makes me feel amazing as a person.
Thank you.
How's your family feel about it? I think how any parents, like, would feel seeing their child cursing and screaming.
Crying like a maniac.
But you know, they are supportive.
I'm young and stupid, so Undercover Boss made me realize, okay, I got it.
I'm an adult now.
Wake up.
Regardless of me cursing, regardless of my no filter, I have a really kind heart.
And I love who I am I'm gonna get emotional.
No, I really do love who I am now, and I'm, like, really proud of myself for who I am.
You live and you learn, and, you know, usually you don't make the same mistakes twice, so My best friend's gonna be famous.
Whoo! [Laughter.]
I'm gonna let you in over here.
- Okay, thank you.
- All right.
Announcer: Not all young employees made a bad impression on the boss.
People like Johanna, an outstanding crew member at Checkers, are motivated to do their best even when there's no clear path to advance.
The minute I get a customer order, - I go ahead and start making it.
- Why do you start so- - Because he can get his food just like that.
So tell me, if tomorrow you were just the manager, - what would you do? - You know what? Reward your crew.
We've never been rewarded.
Announcer: When the CEO went undercover, he was so impressed with her integrity, he made sure she got the recognition she deserved.
Johanna, what I want to do right now is I'm going to promote you into a management-in-training position.
It's a 25% promotion.
I'm okay.
I'm okay.
We've decided we're gonna give you $20,000.
[Shrieking, laughing.]
I [Shrieks.]
[Sighs.]
Is this really real? I want to give you a [Shrieks.]
My life has changed in a significant way from being on Undercover Boss.
I appreciate my job more.
I'm in love with my job.
I wake up with a smile on my face.
Hey, you guys.
Being a manager from a crew member I love the respect.
I love the respect that I'm getting.
Smile, suggest cheese, bacon.
Have a good time.
But just make some money, and let's go run our shift.
- Okay.
- Good.
Let's go.
With the $20,000 that I received from Checkers from being on Undercover Boss, I bought me a car.
[Panel beeping.]
[Sighs.]
And when I got in the new car, I'm like [Quietly.]
Aah! I just started screaming out the I screamed almost halfway down the street.
[Quietly.]
Aah! I cannot believe that I have a reliable car.
It drives wonderful.
I love it.
We got a Philly sub, no onions, add lettuce going out with it.
I did not know that me speaking up to my CEO would lead to everyone in my company getting a bonus.
This is the team member incentive program.
It started in 2012, and this tells you what it's all about.
We're a team.
There's no "I" in team.
When one do good, we all do good.
And we all feel good that we did good.
And we're getting rewarded for doing good.
I just did not know that me opening up my mouth would just take me to where it has taken me.
High five.
Give it up.
All right.
Good job.
High five it up.
Good job.
Good job.
Announcer: A memorable boss reunites with a very special employee.
- Tell me about school.
- School is amazing.
Announcer: And later You remember seeing granddaddy on Undercover Boss? Announcer: A moving tribute to an unforgettable employee.
Walter is the only person that's ever fired me in my whole career.
[Cheers and applause.]
Thank you.
Announcer: The corporate leaders on Undercover Boss have influenced and inspired countless employees.
This journey for seven days was the most incredible education, both personally and professionally, that I've ever witnessed.
Announcer: Some of those same employees have truly been an inspiration themselves.
- Dolores.
- Yes? - You're amazing.
- No, I'm not.
[Reverse warning beeping.]
Announcer: Like Christi, a terrain park crew member at Squaw Valley Resorts.
So what happens if I do this better than you? [Laughs.]
Oh, you gonna try to take my job? - I don't know about that.
- I don't think so.
Announcer: Andy Wirth, the CEO, was so inspired by her work ethic, that he gave her an exciting career opportunity after the show.
- Here you go, good-looking.
- Thanks for bringing that over.
All right, so we already got people here ready to go, so let's get the prizes out on the table, get people checked in and do this.
All right.
After Undercover Boss, Andy gave me this opportunity to do a paid internship in the marketing department at Squaw Alpine.
- Did you get a raffle ticket yet? - No.
With the paid internship, I've been in charge of events and helping out P.
R.
[Laughs.]
Oh, yeah.
Look at, she can't stop.
It's great because that's what I studied in college.
So I've been able to put everything I learned towards the mountain.
Because of Undercover Boss, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
I feel I'm just so grateful.
The biggest lesson I learned was to always say yes to opportunities that come your way.
Every opportunity is a new door, and you never know, ever know where it's gonna take you.
[Laughs.]
I have so many great things to look forward to now.
[Laughs.]
[Goat bleats.]
Announcer: Another employee who inspired his boss was Albert, a front-gate employee at Silver Dollar City.
We can never help our guests too much.
If they don't feel welcome when they come in, they're not gonna feel welcome in the park.
Let's go ahead and knock some more down back here.
He's a very fast-working guy.
It's hard to keep up with him.
If you guys have any questions, you feel free to ask, okay? Undercover Boss was a unique experience.
The main question I get from Undercover Boss is "do you remember the time when you asked Joel," "the CEO, for his job?" What do you think the ideal job is here? I would eventually like to be a CEO of Herschend Properties.
The answer is yeah, I'll never forget that day, because it was an honest answer.
It's very emotional for me to watch the episode because I'm reminded of just how blessed I am.
You're trying to work full-time, and you're trying to go to school at night.
You've inspired me to start a scholarship program.
I should tell you you're gonna be the first recipient.
Watching him, you know, give me that scholarship, and remembering sitting in that room, obtaining that scholarship from him, and just all those memories, you know, they come flooding back.
We're gonna actually pay you your 40-hours-a-week salary while you go to school.
Undercover Boss was a game-changer.
It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and it let me make some new choices that I wouldn't have made without it.
So much has gone on in the past three years.
I've moved to Georgia, gotten married, bought a house.
I'm going to school full-time.
I'm now doing extremely well in school.
I've had my best semesters yet.
I get to work on the weekends, and full-time in the summer.
And so I still get to do what I love.
Hey, Chris, this is Albert.
How are the past sales? So I am still working for herschend family entertainment.
I've been promoted from a team member spot to area supervisor of the admissions division.
So all the hard work is paying off.
That one over there.
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
- Hey, Albert.
- Hey, Joel.
- How are you, man? - Doing good.
How are you? - Good to see you, man.
- It's good to see you too.
- How are you? - I'm doing wonderful.
- You got a haircut.
- I did.
- Man.
- More of a falling out.
That kind of thing.
Albert is always going to hold a special spot in my heart, because He was the very first recipient, that very first scholarship that we gave through "share it forward.
" He got the first one, and now we've helped hundreds of kids over the years get their college education.
So it's very, very gratifying.
- Tell me about school.
- School's amazing.
- Oh, that's sweet! 3.
84? - Yeah, I know, right? - Yeah, I took - Including math? Yeah, all the math.
Since Undercover Boss, Joel and I have had constant communication.
It wasn't just, "here's a scholarship", "and here you go.
" He's been behind me the whole way.
I was short the 4.
0 by probably four or five points.
That's great.
I'm proud of you for what you've done.
We took a risk giving you the first-ever Jack & Pete Herschend scholarship.
And you've stepped up.
You've handled it really well.
You've come here and done a really good job.
I am still working for Herschend Family Entertainment.
I plan on doing it for a lifetime.
It's what I want to do.
I just thank you for the job you did well.
It means a lot.
The one lesson that I've learned is that you just need to be yourself.
You're who you are for a reason.
Anytime you're put into a situation that might push your comfort zone, I've learned to take that risk.
And anytime an opportunity arises that you can improve yourself, you should take it.
All right, keep doing a good job.
Appreciate it.
I'm Walter.
How you doing, Randy? Hey, Walter.
Nice to meet you.
Announcer: One employee, Walter Settles, from Waste Management was memorable - for his high standards.
- Takin' too long, Randy.
Takin' too long! Announcer: But he became famous when he fired his own boss.
I don't think I'm very good.
I second that motion, Randy.
Nice working with you, I'm glad you came to Waste Management to try it out, but you just don't have it.
Walter is the only person that's ever fired me in my whole career.
Everyone remembers my dad as the person that fired Larry, the CEO of the company.
I was, like, "dad, you actually fired the man?" And, like, that's the kind of guy my dad was.
He was pretty straightforward.
He would tell you exactly how it is.
You remember seeing granddaddy on Undercover Boss? It's been almost three years now.
My dad went in for a back surgery, and he just never made it out.
I miss him a lot.
That was, like, my best friend.
I miss him.
You know, seeing him on Undercover Boss, and actually seeing him on TV telling everyone about his kidney failure and stuff like that, it made me closer to my dad.
I'm on dialysis, and that take up three nights.
How do you do all that? I let my spirit tell my body what's gonna happen, what I'm gonna do and what I'm not gonna do.
Because if I let the body tell me what I'm gonna do, I'm not gonna do very much.
Larry, he gave my daddy an opportunity to have personal time off to go and speak with different employees about his situation.
You know, just to be a motivator.
My dad, he wanted to help everybody he could in any type of way that they needed it.
Being on Undercover Boss really meant a lot to him because his hard work was recognized, so he was appreciated.
Announcer: Next week, the bosses are back.
The series' most epic bosses return - for an update of their own.
- Buenos tardes.
Use the muscle to get up, not momentum.
Announcer: An elite group of American leaders were - brave enough to go undercover.
- Whoa! Announcer: Many could not handle the workload on the front lines of their company.
Okay, he didn't teach me this part.
How do you get out of here? Announcer: And some were shocked at just how much needed to be changed.
I'm gonna go see your supervisor, and I'm gonna find out what's going on here at this call site.
Right here, right now, we're gonna shut the restaurant down.
Announcer: Next week, see how going undercover changed their lives forever.
It's all the things that you do after the show that make this show great.
I stopped hiding behind that suit and tie image.
We've made tremendous changes in then entire organization.
At the end of the day, all that really matters is is what I'm doing making a positive difference in the lives of the people I touch? Announcer: All this and more next week on Undercover Boss: Epic Bosses.