Undercover Boss: Hooters

Based on a suggestion from my buddy Scott I decided to check out this episode. I was a bit unsure what to expect because, well it's Hooters and it's Scott. What I forgot was that Scotty is actually fairly business savvy - especially when it comes to the food service/restaurant biz.

So as the episode starts off we're introduced to Coby Brooks, the current President and CEO and he gives us the company backstory. I kind of knew the basics, that it was founded by a bunch of guys who got tired of getting kicked out of bars. What I didn't know was about how Coby's dad got involved and basically turned it into a family business. Most interesting was the fact that Coby's relationship with his father was sort of rocky and he got the job when his dad walked into a board meeting, announced that the former president had been fired and that Coby was taking over (without Coby's own knowledge). From there you sort of get the stereotypical Southern family dynamics where, now after his father's passing the son is trying to get out from the shadow while making the uncomplimentary old man proud. Basically it's as cliche as hell, but when you see it in terms of real people and not actors in a script, it still hits with a weight.

So throughout his week undercover Coby does a bunch of jobs. I will say this, the 7-11 people were definitely more entertaining and seemed to have more personality. Plus I felt bad for that CEO because he had graveyard and insane morning shifts to deal with.

Anyway, so all of the Hooters establishments featured were in the south. Not surprisingly you came across a few stereotypes - like Jimbo, your basic run of the mill Texas chauvinist who had the job so that he could feel like a real man by telling attractive girls what to do. And actually the best part of that scene was that you saw Coby cringe at what was going on, wanting to break cover. Say what you will about Hooters, but the guy in charge knows there are lines and wants them enforced strictly. He's not Larry Flint, he's just the head of a restaurant organization with gimmick, and that gimmick is attractive girls and a suggestive name.

Obviously the best part of the episode was when Coby (undercover) was out with 2 of the girls from a local Texas Hooters, giving away free samples to the public and interacting with people. You know that by sending those girls out there you're putting them in a tough spot; between stupid guys and really opinionated women, it's a no win for them. And now you had the CEO of the company standing right next to them seeing what it's like, hearing what people say etc. Personally, I think that had to be, for him, and for the company, the most valuable part.

So anyway I'll spare you the details on the reveals and stuff because like I said, 7-11 was better. But this episode was really good to watch to realize what a pain it is to be the head of a company that is controversial.