Recap of ‘Undercover Boss’ featuring Atlanta-based Hooters
In the second episode of CBS’s “Undercover Boss,” Hooters CEO Coby Brooks’ experience was comparable to that of the Waste Management CEO week one. But he didn’t have to clean toilets.
The Atlanta-based company got an hour of primetime exposure, ceding editorial control to CBS producers. As a woman told an undercover Brooks that she thinks the chain is “degrading to women,” I can’t imagine this will change their minds.
But I don’t think it made Hooters look any worse. In fact, it may help Hooters short term by getting people to think about the chain and consider eating there.
Loading ...Brooks comes across as humble and calm. Nobody detects him. He shaves his goatee, wears glasses and pretends to be part of a documentary about entry-level jobs. Day one, he tries to be a busboy and fails miserably before a former Marine/cop Dave who mocks him incessantly (but amusingly.)
On day two, he hangs with Ashley and Brittney on the streets of Dallas doing promotions. There, he hears first hand the positive and negative feelings people have about the chain. He eventually puts the girls on a PR campaign that Hooters girls are… people! And Hooters gives to the community. Again, as long as the Hooters girls wear what they wear, no PR campaign is going to cause certain feminists to suddenly want to become patrons.
Day three is the most interesting because Brooks meets store manager Jimbo (yes, they call the guy Jimbo), a burly guy who likes to fling rubber bands and spin trays on his finger. He seems a bit immature. And he treats the gals without a great deal of respect. He “inspects” them every day in an uncomfortably leering way. When he holds a contest for girls to leave early, he has them eat a plate of beans without using their hands.
Brooks watches, embarrassed. “The things I saw today,” he told the show, “were inappropriate. They were wrong and I don’t want any part of it… the way he approached the girls was not acceptable.”
Jimbo does not get fired. He gets reprimanded. The show says he has changed his management style.
On day four, Brooks plays assistant manager to another store manager Marcee, a single mom struggling to balance work with home life. She comes across as stern but respectful and nurturing. It helps she used to be a Hooters girl. He eventually gives her a paid vacation and she takes a less stressful job.
Day five, he hangs in Atlanta at the Naturally Fresh factory, where his dad used to have an office. (His father, who helped build the operation, died in 2006.). One employee, who got there after Coby’s dad died, tells Coby that employee morale is down and that people “hate” the son. Ouch! For some reason, the show does not really address how Brooks is going to help improve morale there. Oddly, he admits not having visited the factory since he was 16. I suspect he delegated that operation and didn’t pay any attention.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
121 comments Add your comment
Jim Maurer
February 15th, 2010
2:02 am
This “Erin” above has been pretty busy, so far I’ve found the same text in three different places under three different names. It’s exactly the same, must be using cut and paste. Check out “google answers” under “Does anyone know if the idiot manager from the texas hooters “Jimbo” from undercover boss got fired?”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100214190550AApYJwi
Donald Curtis
February 15th, 2010
3:11 am
I have been a manager for 25+ years G.M. D.M. and have always been a training store for new managers my last job with Lonestar Steakhouse 9 years that i loved working for jamie coulter C.E.O. he was a great man to work with.I would a chance to have a one on one with M.R. Brooks would travel anywhere to do this thank you for your time
jodee
February 15th, 2010
4:41 am
“Erin” a.k.a Coby Brooks or Jimbo—just stop IT!!!! The public aint buying it– it doesn’t matter if it was scripted or not, either way it made Hooters look bad.
And I agree with Cheryl why did they let that comment stay if it was scripted Coby would have gotten rid of that comment…
Maybe Coby just don’t get it or maybe COBY wants to secretly destroy his father’s business…
DLink
February 15th, 2010
6:44 am
post held by censors… Ah yes. It’s America!
At least they telly you,
DLink
February 15th, 2010
7:16 am
youtube.com/watch?v=ItC5KmyYbxA
heehehe, working on getting banned. Censoring html links lately?
Da'Truth
February 15th, 2010
7:17 am
The simple truth is that the food at Hooter’s sucks! I have not eaten there in years and would not if they gave it to me free. Yes…the main reason I went was to see the scantily clad waitresses. But after 4-6 trips to different locations over several months I came to the same conclusion…..the food is not good and is over priced. So they can keep their crappy food. Now I just have to walk around the mall to see knockers sticking out everywhere!!!! And thats Da’Truth!!!!
DLink
February 15th, 2010
7:28 am
/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/
So lez do it without the html an play harder w/out the context.
DLink
February 15th, 2010
7:37 am
Are scantily clad girlz at the mall paid to chat you up and make you feel important? And DaTruth..is in.
ozzfest
February 15th, 2010
7:38 am
I am a white 41 male and have lived in Alpharetta/Brookhaven/Dunwoody for 25 years and am a native Georgian. I am UGA alumni and season-ticket holder and I DRINK GOOD BEER.
I HAVE NEVER EATEN AT HOOTERS AND NEVER WILL.
TRASH IS TRASH. PERIOD.
AJ
February 15th, 2010
7:54 am
I do find it odd that Jimbo would have that bean eating contest in front of cameras. It does make you wonder about the authenticity. The answer to my rhetorical question is probably yes, but: Would a manager really subject his employees to that with cameras rolling????
Kaki
February 15th, 2010
8:07 am
Sounds like Cody needs to enlist a third party/company like the Franklin Covey Group help realign the organization’s long term moral (and morale) compass and not to mention update those xx-small ladies’ tops!!!!
Neil
February 15th, 2010
8:09 am
Eating beans on a plate with no hands is degrading? Have you people lost your minds? Look at how these girls dress just to have a job. If they really felt degraded they wouldn’t work there. I did a google search on Hooters Dallas and lawsuit, nothing came up. If this weren’t a stunt, someone would have sued.
What was Jimbo’s excuse when he was confronted, “I am making sales.” That is the golden phrase. In business. Any immorality or degradation is ignored as long as you make money for the company. It always will be. Many years ago I worked in retail with a boorish man who often dropped the N word all the time (He was black but I still found it offensive), would make other employees do his hard work and treated everyone like there were his serfs. When I mentioned to the store manager about his behavior, he pulled out the sales figures and said, “he is a necessary evil who makes sales.”
The show is quite formulaic. Owner works for a guy who tells him to go home. Owners works with a woman who is over-worked and under appreciated. Owner works with a guy who is a douche. Owner reveals himself, He praises the guy who fires him, financially rewards the woman who works too hard and admonishes the guy who is a douche. Then he has a rally saying he is a changed a man and things will be better.
Lanni
February 15th, 2010
8:47 am
Erin,
If you know Jimbo personally you shouldn’t be defending him because his actions are not defendable. Hello he could have said ‘no, we don’t do that’ or ‘no, it’s wrong to make the girls do that to get out of work early.’ Even if they did volunteered for TV time it shows his lack of back bone for not protecting those girls. What did he think was going to happen? That this would go on TV and CBS was going to show it in the high light like he thought it would? I’m sure he was thinking guys were going to like seeing girls do that kind of stuff but actually even my husband said it was disgusting to make girls do that just to get off early. Sorry, there is no defending the guy who shouldn’t have done it in the first place even at the request of producers. He should be fired because he obviously lacks good judgement skills.
Cindy
February 15th, 2010
9:08 am
There is NO excuse for Jimbo’s degrading actions. It does not matter if some think this was scripted or not. Seriously, if Jimbo where a decent person and a camera crew / producer asked him to degrade someone like that he should have said “NO”. It is wrong and degrading, that is it!
The fact that Coby Brooks did not blow his cover and fire this degrading Jimbo on the spot shows the kind of person Coby really is and Hooter’s will tolerate this behavior from there employees. To the girls who work there and are defending Jimbo. Have respect for yourself, Jimbo humilated you in front of America! You are so much better than that. There are no words to justify what Jimbo did to degrade these girls. Stop making excuses! A lawsuit needs to be filled. This happened in front of the CEO Coby Brooks, Jimbo basically was given a slap on the wrist. Coby Brooks did nothing! Hooter’s tolerates this degrading behavior. Any respectful company, would have fired this Jimbo.
Hooter’s has lost my business and the business of many others. People need to start boycotting Hooter’s for this. Coby Brooks did nothing to stand up for the rights of Hooter’s. Coby allowed Jimbo to degrade these girls and Hooter’s in front of America. There are NO excuses for this none. Jimbo should be fired. America is watching and we are better than that.
A Source
February 15th, 2010
9:38 am
I have worked for Hooters for more than 8 years and have loved every minute of it. could not ask to work for a better person than Coby. This show edited so many of the positive things that happened out. Many people are mad since Coby didnt create or change any policys. The policys are already in place and we had one bad egg not follow them and it wound up on national tv. Believe me, Jimbo got more than a quick talking to. Out of respect for his family though the company decided not to talk about it further.
Cindy
February 15th, 2010
10:07 am
“Out of respect for Jimbo’s family”! Jimbo, humilated these girls and there families in front of America. He disgraced his own family by his behavior! Stop making excuses. If Jimbo where any kind of a real man he would have said “No, i will not treat another person like that”. There are no excuses or words to justify degrading and humilating another person.
Coby had a chance to stand up for Hooter’s or his own beliefs and say “I or Hooter’s will not tolerate that from any employee or patron”. Thankfully, the editing allowed for America to see what really goes on with Jimbo and how the CEO Coby will tolerate this. America is apauled at Jimbos actions, the lack of respect and actions from Hooters. “Coby didnt create or change any policys. The policys are already in place and” Stop with the excuses. “Coby did not enforce the policies”. “Fire Jimbo” America is watching and we are better than that. Boycott Hooter’s.
F.L. Primer
February 15th, 2010
10:51 am
Assuming the show wasn’t scripted, especially the scenes with Jimbo that have everyone so upset, Coby isn’t in a position to fire Jimbo — even if he wanted to. The show said that Jimbo worked for a franchisee — which means he didn’t work for Coby. That’s why when he leaves the store that day, Coby made a phone call from his car to the franchisee to say they had a manager there they needed to talk to. Coby’s company is the franchisor that sold franchise rights to the company that Jimbo works for. Coby doesn’t have the authority to fire Jimbo as the franchisor. He did all that he could do in that situation given the business relationship between his company and the franchisee that owned the Dallas-area store where Jimbo works or worked. I’m guessing the nature of the franchise relationship is the reason that Coby didn’t take any action against Jimbo when he met with him after he revealed who he was. Again, assuming none of that crazy, bean-eating scene was scripted.
Jason
February 15th, 2010
10:54 am
Didnt we all play games growing up very similar to this? I recall one, bobbing for apples. Parents didnt think this was degrading and hell, you even blindfold the kid. Im not saying it was right by any means but wow, look at what games your children have played for years.
Ann
February 15th, 2010
11:32 am
Are you kidding Jason? Bobbing for apples as a kid and being subjected to eating beans with no hands as an adult are not even close to being comparable! Bobbing for apples is fun and no one is forced to do it. The way Jimbo presented it was degrading and gross.
say what?
February 15th, 2010
12:11 pm
after listening tothe CEO on The Bert show last week, we know that the show was not scripted and Jimbo was real in what he did. He knew he was being filmed and assumed that he would liven up the footage with the antics, but who wants to support a business with a manager who thinks taudry is acceptable.
joebob
February 15th, 2010
12:47 pm
Seriously, no one else has a problem with the answer to his hard working female parent?? She gets a trip? What about the other parents that work for you? How does this reward or motivate them?
Cindy
February 15th, 2010
12:52 pm
There are no excuses as to why Jimbo was not FIRED. No excuse can justify the humiliation, shame and embarrassment Jimbo put those girls and now there families thru. Scripted or not.
Coby, did make a phone call and should have demanded Jimbo be fired immedatley because Hooter’s will not tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone it is clearly unacceptable. Once again, no excuse can justify why this degrading man, Jimbo was not fired. He is a disgrace to Hooter’s. America needs to boycott Hooter’s because of Jimbo’s disgusting behavior and the fact he was not fired. The girls need to file a lawsuit against Hooter’s, the franchise owner, Coby, etc., etc.. Jimbo needs to be fired immedatley. America is watching, we are better than that.
George
February 15th, 2010
1:24 pm
This is the guy in charge of a one BILLION dollar restaurant chain??
Dan
February 15th, 2010
1:40 pm
I was a manager for Hooter’s for five years, that spectical I watched last night did not even come close to some of the thing I witnesses. How about terminationg employees “because you no longer have the image you were hired for” i.e. you got fat. Regardless of length or quality of work. I’n my book that’s just wrong. They do it daily.
Brett
February 15th, 2010
3:11 pm
I love how “Erins” response is the the same cut and paste response i see on every website that is bashing Jimbo. Stop trying to save face Jimbo with a fake name and fake alias on websites, you are a complete loser. Every site I go to has the exact word for word response as Erin has by the top of the comments. Claims Jimbo is a nice guy and the show was scripted. Get a life Jimbo and stop copying and pasting the same paragraph response into every websites comment box to save face.
Rodney
February 15th, 2010
3:36 pm
The original “Erin” comment at the top of this post is all over the internet. If you google “Jimbo boss undercover” you will find forums all over the internet that have that exact statement word for word. So, who is “erin” really. Who knows…I am guessing Jimbo himself.
moe
February 15th, 2010
3:45 pm
Did anyone else get the feeling that Coby really did not want to be head of Hooters at all?
I could tell by Jimbo’s attitude that he is one of those jerk managers that loves to mess with people.
I have worked for a few and I have fired a few. You just don’t do that kind of crap to your employees.
I don’t feel that it was scripted. Edited yes. The best manager I saw was Marcie, now that is how amanger does things. She knew the jobs because she once worked them.
Denny
February 15th, 2010
4:53 pm
Jimbo should have been fired, on the spot! It doesnt matter if it was staged or real. It doesnt put a good spin on the management staff at Hooters, staff meaning local store, general, regional, or even corp. With events like Jimbos reindeer games, of any kind is unacceptable at any level. And I for one, who visits Hooters on a regular basis, will not be back until I hear that Jimbo is UNEMPLOYEED, and out on his ass, which is what he deserves. Until this happens I and my crew will be visiting Hooters Competition @ Bufflo Wild Wings.
Chris
February 15th, 2010
5:56 pm
I found Undercover Boss with Hooters disgusting and completely offensive. I can only imagine what “Jimbo” is up to in the backroom when the cameras are not rolling. Perhaps more offensive was Coby Brooks’ inaction to a situation that was clearly out of control and crossed WAY over the line. A quick Google of “hooters sexual harrassment” turned up several examples of similar behavior from Hooters managers… including a situation where “the girls” were punished by being forced to participate in bikini contests. Sounds like a systematic problem within their organization.
My wife was so offended she wrote to Hooters directly… I would encourage anyone else who feels strongly to do the same. On the Hooters webpage they offer an e-mail address: hooterspr@hooters.com
Or mail a real letter to the corporate headquarters:
Hooters, 1815 The Exchange, Atlanta GA 30339
F.L. Primer
February 15th, 2010
6:39 pm
At the risk of repeating myself:
Assuming the show wasn’t scripted, especially the scenes with Jimbo that have everyone so upset, Coby isn’t in a position to fire Jimbo — even if he wanted to. The show said that Jimbo worked for a franchisee — which means he didn’t work for Coby. That’s why when he leaves the store that day, Coby made a phone call from his car to the franchisee to say they had a manager there they needed to talk to. Coby’s company is the franchisor that sold franchise rights to the company that Jimbo works for. Coby doesn’t have the authority to fire Jimbo as the franchisor. He did all that he could do in that situation given the business relationship between his company and the franchisee that owned the Dallas-area store where Jimbo works or worked. I’m guessing the nature of the franchise relationship is the reason that Coby didn’t take any action against Jimbo when he met with him after he revealed who he was. Again, assuming none of that crazy, bean-eating scene was scripted.
CAROL COX
February 15th, 2010
6:51 pm
COBY BROOKS ,I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB & ARE SINCERELY INTERESTED IN MAKING YOUR BUSINESS BETTER FOR US…WE HAVE EATEN AT HOOTERS FOR YEARS LOVE IT EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS THE SIDES ARE ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. WE
HAVE TALKED TO MANAGERS & NOTHING HAPPENS…..WHY NOT SERVE GOOD MAC & CHEESE–GOOD SLAW- (YOURS IS AWFUL REPLACE PLEASE)
(YOUR POTATOE SALAD IS AWFUl) USE A GOOD ONE THE TATOR TOTS ARE WONDERFUL, EXCEPT FOR THE HOT CHEESE SAUCE WITH FLAVOR. BEANS ARE O.K.
THE STEAK SANDWICH IS TOUGH…..TRIED MANY TIMES, THEY CAN’T GET IT RIGHT. THESE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS. MAINLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEW SIDES. IT WOULDN’T HURT TO REPLACE THOSE TIRED CURLY FRIES EITHER.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GIRLS COVERED A LITTLE MORE TOO. THANKS FOR
LISTENING…HERS TO A BETTER HOOTERS……CAROL
Chris
February 15th, 2010
6:56 pm
I agree that a CEO can’t fire a franchise employee, but they can definitely put the pressure on, and they should in a situation like this. If they wanted, corporate HQ could simply shut the restaurant down or not allow it to be a Hooters, a CEO is NOT powerless.
That would be overkill in this situation, but certainly, more than an apology was necessary.
After looking into similar issues/lawsuits at Hooters (theres a LOT of ‘em), what we all saw on Undercover Boss (real or not) doesn’t seem to be too uncommon. They seem to settle these issues quietly. Whats also concerning are the instances where employees are fired after complaining about sexual Harassment to headquarters.
Theres already a Boycott Hooters page on Facebook. Wow. This TV show has really infuriated people for better or worse.
Carolyn
February 15th, 2010
6:58 pm
Erica Lange said very thing that I was feeling. I will not eat there again.
Cindy
February 15th, 2010
7:29 pm
Scripted or not.There are no excuses as to why Jimbo was not FIRED. No excuse can justify the humiliation, shame and embarrassment Jimbo put those girls and now there families thru.
Here is Hooter’s policy:
Hooters of America, Inc. has taken a pro-active lead in the industry addressing issues raised by individual acts of sexual harassment. Hooters of America, Inc., like all responsible corporations, deplores such acts and prohibits this behavior in the workplace. The company has a long-standing non-harassment policy forbidding unwelcome physical or verbal behavior, and specifically mentions sexual harassment. This policy includes a confidential reporting system for complaints, including a toll-free phone number. Since 1983, Hooters has employed over 250,000 Hooters Girls, and while even one incident is too many, this large number of employees, compared to the limited number of sexual harassment lawsuits filed, indicates this policy works.
So once again, Jimbo should have been fired immediately by Coby, the franchise owner, whoever. There is no excuse for this type of behavior. America is watching, we are better than that. Boycott Hooters until this Jimbo is fired. These girls deserve to be treated better than that. America is watching
Alexandra F.
February 15th, 2010
7:41 pm
Yes I started the BOYCOTT HOOTERS group on facebook today, after seeing the show last night, and I invite everyone to join it and leave comments and post links.
There is no excuse for Jimbo’s behavior, sorry. It’s just disgusting to me, but to be honest it doesn’t surprise me either. A franchise like Hooters attracts a certain kind of person in the first place and that includes managers. After typing in hooters + sexual harassment you get more hits than you can read and it seems to be a serious problem for the company. What the show made clear to me is that Hooters seems to have no intention to change that. Since they think an apology by Jimbo is enough. Do they really think the waitresses want to keep on working under him even after he apologizes? The guy even defended his actions and poorly if I might add. He must be a great manager and a great asset to the company LOL, if Hooters wants to keep him around after what he did. But that’s not all, as a woman I was never a great fan of the restaurant chain for obvious reasons, I don’t like to look at naked behinds while I’m eating and the food is just bad. That is my personal opinion and before the show aired I was cool with just staying away from the place, but now I just think BOYCOTT. Why? Besides the Jimbo issue? I’m a confident woman, not bad looking and not overweight, but I would have a hard time fitting into an xxs, xs, or s shirt, without dieting myself down to an unhealthy weight, since I’m just not that Miss Twiggy body type. So if I don’t fit your shirt I can’t work there? That’s just not right, sorry! What messages are you guys sending to young woman and yes Coby Brooks to your daughters. If you had any brains you wouldn’t have looked so surprised by women not wanting to bring their kids to that place.
Alexandra F.
February 15th, 2010
7:48 pm
Also can you guys imagine what must go on in that Texas franchise under Jimbo when there are no cameras around? Sorry but I think that’s just scary.
Debi
February 15th, 2010
8:02 pm
Fire Jimbo and before that make him do the reindeer game…….not that I want to look at THAT!
Mary
February 15th, 2010
8:39 pm
I hear the wings are fantastic. Do you honestly think I would take my nine year old twins, a boy and a girl, into your resturant? No way! Put them in T-shirts that fit. Cover their butts. And then and only then will your business pick up. It is for men! Not families, at least not my family and I do not stand alone in this. Oh, yeah! If you fired the pig manager maybe I might have thought maybe you were trying. But, once a pig always a pig. I would have fired him! He doesn’t deseserve a job. He shows that what I thought about your company was true. You demean women.
Fuzeber
February 15th, 2010
8:55 pm
What kind of education does Coby Brooks have? I am going with none. He needs some management classes!!!!
Supermom
February 16th, 2010
12:22 am
People, it’s a franchise. Coby doesn’t have the authority to fire the guy. You know how he went out and called the *owner* of the franchise? THAT is the guy to be pissed off at – you know, the one that hired “jimbo” in the first place. Coby can’t just randomly fire people he doesn’t actually employ.
I’m a mom of two small children whose husband frequents Hooters.
I enjoy taking the kids there… they love the girls. The girls come and cuddle and hug them, and it’s all in all a great blast. The girls are not being exploited… they love that job, and the cash that comes with it. Jessica, a fabulous girl from the Macon restaurant, has as much brains as boobs, and is way hotter than either of the two butterfaces that he chose for his “pr” campaign. Is Coby a tool? Indubitably. He’s a spoiled little rich kid who inherited his job and his money. You’re expecting him to have a clue?
If you want to make a difference deal with local owners. You know where this restaurant is. Go there. Affect that restaurant’s business. “Jimbo” will find his competitiveness won’t do him a damn bit of good when the public’s screaming for his blood.
In the mean time, I’m going back to the Macon hooters… and tipping our girls WELL, and enjoying some mediocre wings and beer.
jmx53
February 16th, 2010
7:53 am
The real question I have about this show is will these executives featured on the show continue to get out there once the cameras are gone, or was their week in the field a one shot deal? Would be interesting to see an episode that shows these same companies a few months later to show how or if things have changed for better or worse similar to the Kitchen Nightmares show.
Scripted or not…the premise behind this show underscores one important thing that ALL corporate and management types should be doing. That is to get out of the office and spend some time with the employees and see how the operations are running. This will enable them to see what is and what isn’t working. It will close that divide that always occurs when management is separate from the workers and result in improvement in morale which leads to a better working environment for all. Happy employees will have increased productivity and desire to see the company succeed instead of resentment, and that in turn leads to increased profits for the company.
Regarding the Hooters CEO…It seemed that he didn’t really want to be in charge of the company. He did mention earlier in the episode that he got thrown into the position by circumstance. He also mentioned that relations with his father had not been that good, so why would he want to be carrying on his father’s legacy?
With regards to the problem manager…The corporate CEO would have the power to fire someone who worked directly for the Hooters Corporation. I don’t think that he could fire the employee of a franchisee since that employee doesn’t work for the corporation. He might however be able to put pressure on the franchisee to take disciplinary action.
Why didn’t the show tell us how this CEO plans to address the problems with the food production plant?
The CEO said in his speech at the end that he had been to work undercover at Hooters all over America, but really he only went to some of the ones in Texas.
After the speech he exited the stage to the rear and there was no interaction any of the employees.
I’d like to see a comparison how much the Hooters waitresses receive in tips compared to waitresses at other restaurants. That would be a huge reason why these girls would be willing to wear those “uniforms”
All it all, the Waste Management episode was far better than this Hooters one.
gjh8122
February 16th, 2010
10:33 am
Why isn’t the airline that Hooters owned mentioned? Is it perhaps he had the airline augered into the ground? Pace Airlines was destroyed and over four hundred people and their families were effected by corporate greed. Reality show? If you’re going to call it a reality show, try showing some reality!
gjh8122
February 16th, 2010
10:47 am
I just noticed the caption under Coby’s picture at the beginning of the article. It states that he gets a taste of his own medicine. I can only wish that he got a taste of what he did to Pace Airlines, his father’s dream.
Terry S
February 16th, 2010
11:17 am
There are two sides to all corporations, the one the public sees and the one that management must protect. Mr. Brooks does not come across as a CEO that has fought his way to the top or has the entrepreneurial sprit to run a company of this magnitude. If he is smart enough to know his limitations, he will step down and hire a professional with a little more testosterone.
Chatty Kathy
February 16th, 2010
12:37 pm
Why would Brooks consider firing Jimbo when he isn’t even aware that the whole Hooters concept is offensive to some people? Maybe he’d get it if he was forced to work at a place called “Dickies” dressed in a Speedo…
I think he’s probably a nice guy whose domineering chauvinistic pig of a father brainwashed him into thinking that real men are Hooters men. Anyone care to guess why he’s divorced?
Kevin
February 16th, 2010
1:14 pm
Two days after this show aired, I am still greatly disturbed to see that the CEO of any organization, not the least of which one as successful and widely recognized as Hooters, would tolerate behavior such as that displayed by Jimbo. His dismissal should have been immediate and without question. Any smart attorney watching the show should be talking to those women TODAY and filing a class action suit against this organization.
I agree with the comment above that Mr. Brooks probably has no idea how offensive this behavior was to witness, due to the fact that he was raised by a father who obviously made a great fortune at the expense of the dignity and respect of the female gender working in his restaurants. Shame on you Mr. Brooks. Strap on a set and get with the times. It’s obvious your leadership skills leave much to be desired in today’s world.
Bo Diddley
February 16th, 2010
2:43 pm
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but Brooks cannot fire Jimbo because Jimbo doesn’t work for Hooters of America, Inc. (the company that Brooks heads). Instead, Jimbo works for whatever corporation owns that particular franchise. All Brooks can do is lean on that franchisee to correct the problem.
Having said that, I was not at all impressed by Brooks, his management style or his proposed solutions to the problems he saw. After the heartfelt expressions and meaningful reforms by the Waste Management CEO, Brooks’ concern and response rang a bit hollow.
Jason
February 16th, 2010
3:37 pm
Its amazing how much grief Hooters is getting over this whole Jimbo thing, yes, it was wrong but why was nothing said when a lady from Waste Management had to pee in a can? That seems alot more sexist and degrading then eating baked beans with no hands. It was wrong but the show didnt even focus on the girls that didnt do it, Jimbo did not force the girls to do this, they chose to play the game. Now lets talk about peeing in a can some more, seems more serious to me!
Donna
February 16th, 2010
5:07 pm
Chris Fatale you are a pig. How do you live with yourself?
Chris
February 16th, 2010
7:22 pm
Chatty Kathy your comment was spot-on!
“Maybe he’d get it if he was forced to work at a place called “Dickies” dressed in a Speedo…”
I might add that the Speedo would only come in small, x-small, or xx-small, if it didn’t fit, then too bad I guess you don’t have a job.
I also read elsewhere that the reaction to the show was almost unanimously negative and apparently shut down the Hooters website for a while yesterday. All over the country people were calling Hooters restaurants to complain as well. Maybe they’ll “get it” now.