Undercover Boss (US) is an American adaptation of the British series of the same name. The show was first aired on CBS in 2010 and has since had 12 seasons. The premise of the show involves high-level corporate execs leaving their offices to take on low-level jobs in their companies to learn how things really work. Through this process, they learn things about their companies, their employees, and maybe even something about themselves. Here we will be ranking the best episodes of Undercover Boss (US).
Each episode of the show follows a different executive as they embark on their undercover mission. The show is well known for its dramatic endings, as the execs reveal themselves to their employees and often reward them with promotions, raises, and other rewards. From the 12 seasons of the show, some episodes have been more memorable than others.
Let's take a look at the best episodes of Undercover Boss (US). We'll rank the top episodes based on their impact, the drama of the reveals, and the messages of the show. These episodes have left a lasting impression and will be remembered for years to come.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 13, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
Larry O'Donnell, President and C.O.O. of Waste Management, works alongside his employees, cleaning porta-potties, sorting waste, collecting garbage from a landfill and even being fired for the first time in his life.
The episode was rated 7.02 from 65 votes.
Dave Rife goes under cover in one of his White Castle restaurants. However, things don't go as easy as planned when he accidentally mishandles some of the bakery equipment.
The episode was rated 7.24 from 38 votes.
President and COO of Roto-Rooter Rick L. Arquilla goes undercover in his own company and finds himself overwhelmed with emotion while working alongside several employees who force him to reflect on his past as well as his future legacy as the boss of their company.
The episode was rated 7.25 from 28 votes.
Michael G. Rubin, Chairman, President and CEO of GSI Commerce, the e-commerce giant behind numerous top U.S. retailers, goes undercover in his own company, where he discovers that rushing through a task can result in injury to others, and that his packing and shipping skills are not up to company standards.
The episode was rated 7.39 from 31 votes.
When Cory G. Brooks, the president and CEO of Hooters goes undercover, he struggles to keep up in a fast-paced kitchen and is forced to take action when a restaurant manager steps out of line.
The episode was rated 7.40 from 63 votes.
Bill Carstanjen, President & COO of Churchill Downs, goes undercover at his own racetracks. This however proves difficult as he is afraid of horses.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 39 votes.
Chris McCann, President and COO of 1-800-FLOWERS, America's largest florist and online gift shop, goes undercover and is later forced to reveal his true identity on the season finale of Undercover Boss.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 30 votes.
The CEO and President of 7-Eleven, Joe DePinto, goes undercover in his own company where he discovers that one of his corporate policies has not been implemented on the frontlines and later finds himself inspired by one of his delivery driver's approach to life.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 51 votes.
Undercover Boss (US) is a popular show in which CEOs of large companies go undercover in their own organizations, to get an insider's view of their operations. In the episode Herschend Family Entertainment, Joel Manby, President and CEO of the company, goes undercover to get a better understanding of how things are running. During his journey, he meets a young man aspiring for his job and realizes that it is not as easy as it looks. He is put in a boat full of kids and discovers that it is much harder to lead this group than to run a boardroom.
The episode follows Manby as he works as a ride operator at a theme park, a lifeguard at an aquarium, a tour guide in a cave, and a camp counselor at a resort. He discovers that his employees are passionate and hardworking, and that they are what makes the company successful. He also finds out that his young job aspirant is more than capable of taking the job and suggests he gets a promotion. In the end, he learns that the people in his organization are the key to Herschend Family Entertainment's success.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 31 votes.
