Best Episodes
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!
Renee Maloney, co-founder and CFO of Painting With a Twist, works undercover at her paint-and-sip franchise where guests come together to have fun while painting and enjoying their favorite beverage.
The episode was rated 7.49 from 101 votes.
Karen Freeman-Wilson, Mayor of Gary, Indiana, goes undercover as a municipal employee in her own city.
The episode was rated 7.53 from 112 votes.
Greg Scott, CEO of New York & Company, works undercover to meet the people who keep his fashion retailer "en vogue."
The episode was rated 7.54 from 101 votes.
Sharon Price John, President and CEO, Build-A-Bear Workshop, a worldwide experiential retail company which gives guests an opportunity to make their own customizable stuffed animal, goes undercover and learns that building bears isn't all child's play.
The episode was rated 7.57 from 162 votes.
In the episode of Undercover Boss (US) titled Taco Bueno, Michael Roper, President and CEO of Taco Bueno goes undercover to get a firsthand look at how his company is running. He meets employees at every level, from entry-level staff to warehouse workers. During his journey, he finds an employee who's disgruntled with upper management, which gives him a chance to listen to their concerns and suggest changes. He also gets an up-close look at the warehouse operations, but quickly discovers that he's not cut out to operate a forklift. His humor and humility in this situation is a testament to his leadership.
The episode of Undercover Boss (US) titled Taco Bueno is a great example of how a CEO can listen to his employees and take their feedback seriously. Even though Michael Roper might not have been prepared to operate a forklift, his willingness to try it and learn from it is admirable. He also takes the time to talk to the employees and get to know them, which can help build trust between management and staff. This episode is a great reminder of the importance of taking the time to understand the perspectives of people at all levels of the organization.
The episode was rated 7.67 from 107 votes.
John Carona, founder and CEO of Associa, goes undercover to meet the employees who keep his company's foundation strong in the episode of the show Undercover Boss (US). While working as "Charlie Lucas," Carona gets a first-hand experience of the tedious maintenance job at a residential location, and he also discovers that working the front desk of a yacht club is anything but smooth sailing.
This episode of Undercover Boss (US) gives viewers a unique opportunity to witness the hard work of the employees at Associa, as well as the dedication of John Carona to get to know them better. John Carona's willingness to take on the tasks of his employees and the challenges that come with it shows the importance that he places on the company's employees and their contributions to the company.
The episode was rated 7.68 from 87 votes.
In the Undercover Boss (US) episode "AdvantaClean," Jeff Dudan, CEO of AdvantaClean, works undercover at one of his Light Environmental Service franchises. In this episode, Dudan comes face to face with the reality of the environmental services his company provides, as he tackles masses of mold in a water-damaged kitchen and a tight, dark crawl space beneath another client's home.
This episode highlights the importance of AdvantaClean's services, while at the same time showcasing Dudan's commitment to his employees and their hard work. Dudan is able to gain a better understanding of his company and the challenges his employees face day to day. This episode is a testament to the dedication of AdvantaClean's staff and the dedication of Dudan to make sure that his company is providing the best service possible.
The episode was rated 7.83 from 95 votes.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf episode of Undercover Boss (US) follows John Fuller, the new president and CEO of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, as he goes undercover to meet the employees who keep his company running. This episode follows Fuller as he learns the ins and outs of the day-to-day operations of the business and gets to know the employees on a personal level.
John Fuller is eager to learn what it takes to be a part of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf family, and he quickly discovers that the employees are passionate and hardworking. He meets with the team and spends time with them to better understand the operations and culture. Along the way, he learns that the employees are dedicated to the mission of the company and take pride in the quality of their products.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf episode of Undercover Boss delivers an eye-opening experience for both viewers and Fuller. He is humbled by the dedication and enthusiasm of his employees, and he is inspired to make the company even better. This episode of Undercover Boss is a great way to get to know the people behind the scenes of one of the world's most successful coffee and tea retailers.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 101 votes.
The episode Celebrity Undercover Boss: Marcus Samuelsson is part of the show Undercover Boss (US). In this episode, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson went undercover to experience the daily hardships and work of his employees. By doing so, he was able to observe their experiences and feel empathy for their struggles.
The episode was an interesting experiment, but viewers agreed that no more celebrities should take part in the show. While it was entertaining to watch a celebrity take on the role of an employee, it also felt a bit like a gimmick. The focus should be on the real stories of everyday people, rather than a celebrity's experience.
The episode was rated 8.10 from 91 votes.
The hit show Undercover Boss (US) featured a celebrity edition with Darius Rucker. The premise of the show is to showcase the inner workings of organizations, however this celebrity version of the show has been seen as a distraction from the original purpose of the show.
The episode was entertaining and had some interesting insights, but it did not fully attribute to the celebrity. Unfortunately, this celebrity version of the show has been seen by some as a step away from the original premise. However, it is hoped that the two celebrity shows were just specials to finish off the season and not a a completely new direction for the show.
The episode was rated 8.31 from 89 votes.
