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.
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121 comments Add your comment
Frank
February 14th, 2010
10:34 pm
Just watched this week’s UnderCover Boss Program.
Last weeks Boss from Waste Management was admirable.
But this Cody Brooks from Hooters was Clueless. He should have had “Jimbo” removed imediately and actually done something about the working conditions in his restaurants. Remember that Jimbo knew he was being taped.
It’s been over 4 years since Cody has been in charge and he had not been in the Naturally Fresh facility since his Father’s death.
Cody & the other Board Members especially the one who wanted to know if Jimbo’s career could be salvaged are clueless.
Very Sad “Leadership @ Hooters Corporate
Frank
Jacksonville, Florida
Rodney - It's CoBy, not Cody!
February 14th, 2010
10:35 pm
Please pay attention and edit your postings! Today’s error is in the FIRST SENTENCE! HIs name is Coby with a B, not Cody with a D. “In the second episode of CBS’s “Undercover Boss,” Hooters CEO Cody (WRONG!) Brooks’ experience was comparable to that of the Waste Management CEO week one.”
LizDawg
February 14th, 2010
10:40 pm
Jimbo should have been fired on the spot.
Slap on the wrist to simply ask him to apologize.
Erin
February 14th, 2010
10:44 pm
First of all, I know Jim personally. He’s an extremely nice guy. This whole epidsode was scripted and edited to make him the bad guy. The bean eating contest was at the request of the producers and the girls volunteered to get TV time. I am pretty certain that if this were a legitimate scene those girls would have filed suit and he would have been fired immediately. He and the CEO were joking around during the entire filming process. They had to redo several takes to get the best reaction. Jim is one of the most respected managers in the corporation and his employees love him. Believe what you want but know that this was absolutely not reality. It’s really kind sickening how the editing process works
Erica Lange
February 14th, 2010
10:54 pm
I am blown away that Jimbo actually got to keep his job! As a female, I have never had an issue with Hooters restaurants, girls, or image.. Until, I watched Undercover Boss. By allowing a power tripping male shovenist to make the girls line up for a daily inspection, and shaming them in front of the entire staff for things like not wearing fingernail polish is (in my opinion) just deplorable. Not to mention his disgusting “reindeer games.” If that is whats being shown on camera, I can’t even imagine what “reindeer games” are going on behind the sceenes, and a “formal apology” to his employees is certainly not enough!! As long as Jimbo is empolyeed by Hooters, they have lost my patronage, and as I work in a very public industry, I will share my new found boycott with all of my clients and my community. If Hooters wants to show the girls are not just “hooters Girls” and they are real people, with lives and more than meets the eye.. The first way of showing this will be to shut down the management of Jimbo.
Erica Lange
February 14th, 2010
10:56 pm
Erin.. Are you Jimbo’s wife, mother, or sister??
Shannon
February 14th, 2010
10:56 pm
I’m appalled. If they wanted to make the first step toward building their brand, they should have fired Jimbo.
Adrianne
February 14th, 2010
10:57 pm
Since Jimbo still works there, I see no need to ever eat at Hooters. No one who displays such degrading behavior toward his subordinates can change their behavior that quickly. He should have been fired on the spot. Ineffective managers are the reason American business is going down hill not the average worker.
Its admirable that Coby attemped to see what life is like on the front lines but it seems he did it more for PR not any real changes.
Ruth
February 14th, 2010
11:00 pm
Hello; I have watch the show last week and i was very happy with the results and how caring he was. This week OH! all i need to say is that he should have fired the manager, how you know he’s not going back to his old ways, shame on you Hooters, people like that shouldn’t be keep on the payroll, not worthy. RBD
Grace
February 14th, 2010
11:02 pm
Erin bought Jimbo’s story, all right. He should not be employed at Hooters. What a disgrace!!
Ted
February 14th, 2010
11:05 pm
I can’t believe Cody Brooks and Hooters corporate management allows this Jimbo to continue to work for the company. Unbelievable! What does this say about Hooters management? Jimbo flat out degraded those women and Hooters gives him a slap on the wrist.
rodsiltor
February 14th, 2010
11:09 pm
It is a TV show, it is all scripted!!
Cheryl
February 14th, 2010
11:13 pm
First of all, who CARES if his name is CoBy, CoDy, or CoRy? That’s not the point and if that’s all you have to pick on, then you need something else to pass your time.
I didn’t see the episode tonight, but I saw the commercials after last week’s episode. However, Erin, the girls wouldn’t file suit for being in a bean eating contest. There is no merit to that claim if they willingly took part.
Anyway, doesn’t sound like the Hooters episode went well, and I really wish I had seen it tonight. If you degrade your workers, they should quit, and you should be fired. But that’s just my 2 cents.
witta
February 14th, 2010
11:15 pm
I understand the anger that some of you have! But you don’t know what has been edited and what’s going on behind the scenes. I think anyone in their right mind would fire a guy like Jimbo! I believe that this was an attempt to boost ratings for the show because I know that everyone here was anticipating this episode based off of last weeks previews. Before you boycott Hooters, remember that this is TV and you can’t tell real from fake.
William
February 14th, 2010
11:16 pm
I too am appalled at the results of the Jimbo matter. If Hooters truly wishes to rebrand their image, they must start with absolutely not tolerating this behavior in their organization – in any way and not accepting any excuses when such behavior is discovered. The girls were further disrespected when this Jimbo guy was allowed to continue his employment within the organization – what was the message to them? I’m angered the CEO thinks that allowing Jimbo to be part of Hooters in any way is respectful to any employee of the company. Maybe this decision shows the true character of the organization. One does not have to be a woman to know the Jimbo matter is an insult to any person treated in such an abusive manner – Hooter has clearly shown how they will stand behind abused employees, or not.
Ann
February 14th, 2010
11:19 pm
Loved last weeks episode…hated this one. Jimbo should have been shown the door. Why didn’t they bring the guy from the plant back in at the end? This CEO is clueless. It would have been nice to see him doing more for the company as a whole and not just a $50,000 donation for one guy and a vacation for another. 2 people out of how many? Thought he wanted to make life a little less hectic for the kitchen staff but didn’t mention any changes. Hope next weeks episode is better!
bad brad leavin chicks sad
February 14th, 2010
11:20 pm
Oh Im for sure goin to some hooters now. that dude jimbo is a pimp! i want to work at that place. i bet it goes down after work! i want to be cody brooks. that dude is a real boss. you see how he runs things? all i know is theres hooters everywhere! even in florida in panama city. man im goin to the hooters by gwinnett mall. gonna get me a job and a couple of chicks on the side
Brock K Martin
February 14th, 2010
11:21 pm
I hope this entire series is scripted…if this episode is real then the entire Hooter’s corp should burn. How could you allow a guy, who is the epitimy of what you would call a pig, to continue to work at you establishment. He basically said the girls deserve to be treated like dogs could they work here. This better be scripted!
Kelsey
February 14th, 2010
11:21 pm
I think Cody got exactly what he wanted out of tonight’s show-free advertising.
Jim
February 14th, 2010
11:22 pm
I’m really disapointed that Cody didn’t fire Jimbo if he thinks the morale is down in Hooters there would be a good reason having a manager doing a good job for him and the company watch that. Sometimes I just don’t understand how people get as far as they do and not a drop of common sense perfect example of being born with a gold spoon in your mouth.
Ben
February 14th, 2010
11:22 pm
I was pretty disgusted by that game. I mean what do you have to do to get fired at Hooters.
Kelly
February 14th, 2010
11:28 pm
Outraged after watching Undercover Boss – Hooters episode. Seriously? They want to change Americas perception however they allow a totally inappropriate manager to keep his job after all of America got to witness this behavior???
Andi
February 14th, 2010
11:28 pm
Enter your comments here
rutts
February 14th, 2010
11:29 pm
Well, if Erin is right, and the bean eating contest was at the producers request, and not jimbo’s, then the whole show is a fake, and the only “reality” is that we have all been taken for a ride.
Pago Flyer
February 14th, 2010
11:29 pm
Hooters has great wings.
Andi
February 14th, 2010
11:30 pm
No wonder Hooter’s is up for sale for only 28 million. with people like “JUMBO Bimbo Jimbo” working for them.
Ann
February 14th, 2010
11:35 pm
Just read that Hooters is for sale? No wonder he doesn’t care! http://adage.com/article?article_id=142119
Sandy
February 14th, 2010
11:39 pm
The Waste Management episode was so obviously staged. Seriously, did you notice how clean and new all the trucks were? I have no doubt the Hooters episode was staged as well. Regarding the issue with Jimbo…first there was a freakin’ camera crew there. How stupid would someone really have to be to allow that game to be videotaped? Secondly, if it were real and Brooks didn’t fire him on the spot, he’s the real villan (forget the “under cover” excuse). And finally, Jim would have had to allow his part in this to be filmed, I would think. So, you’ll never convince me both episodes weren’t stage and heavily edited.
jeff
February 14th, 2010
11:40 pm
Man… i have actually eaten here (even though the food isn’t great) but after watching this episode i won’t go back. Even if it is scripted hooters pr team and the boss really dropped the ball letting that go to air and not firing the pathetic joke of a manager.
It’s pretty obvious what hooters is all about and i’m sure its the norm for their business but that even pissed me off and i don’t have a daughter. and until my sons are out of the house they won’t be going there either.
Savannah
February 14th, 2010
11:41 pm
My family has gone to Hooters for years. we personally know Jim, and i promise you this was scripted and edited to make people watch! Looks like it worked. Jim is NOT AT ALL what this show depicted him as. People need to remember that “reality t.v” is NOT reality. i am surprised how many people are so quick to judge from something they saw clips and bits of. My family and i love Hooters and will always love Hooters. Great food, cold beer, and the best Hooters Girls!
bad brad leavin chicks sad
February 14th, 2010
11:44 pm
hey man for real im not happy with hooters. when i go, i expect hooters. not chicks with lil A or B cups. hooters should be nothin but D’s and above! and hot chicks!
Scott
February 14th, 2010
11:46 pm
well if its all fake and thats why jimbo didn’t get fired I won’t eat at Hooters ever again so tell Coby just for messing around like that he has lost more customers than he thought to gain. We woun’t eat there evere again and will let other know also
Ken
February 14th, 2010
11:50 pm
This CEO is an idiot. Even if ‘Scooter’ didn’t care one bit about whether the girls were respected or not, he should have fired “Jimbo” for making the company look that bad in front of a camera crew. And if Erin is correct and the show instigated the ‘reindeer games’, then the CEO is an idiot for allowing it.
Erin In KC
February 14th, 2010
11:51 pm
I forgot to DVR the show tonight, and after reading some of the comments, I don’t care that I didn’t.
To the “other Erin”, if this “Jimbo” is truly “an extremely nice guy”, he would NEVER have girls play a game like they advertised.
I agree, who gives a rip what the guy’s first name is. The bottom line is his whole company degrades woman. As the mother of both a son and a daughter, I will NEVER eat at one of these places.
If he wanted to make any kind of a difference in his company, he would have fired “Jimbo”, provided the women with proper uniforms, and made some sort of public apology for being yet another organization who makes women objects for drunk horny men to drool over.
Watch out “Mr. Hooters”, karma will someday pay you a visit and SHE will kick your butt.
Cheryl
February 14th, 2010
11:52 pm
Perception is everything and the perception of Hooters is that it is the kind of place that guys go to drink beer, watch sports games on the TV and stare at the waitresses. It is not the kind of restaurant that families really want to bring their children to or a place that business people would go to during the work week for lunch. The most devistating comment was when one of the girls said if effect – that’s ok, their husbands will still keep coming in. That one line totally verified the public perception of Hooters. And they want to include that girl in a PR campaign? You have got to be kidding.
The restaurant industry is a tough one and the economy is hurting right now.
lucie40@hotmail.com
February 15th, 2010
12:05 am
I agree with Frank and Erica they said what I was feeling. I also hope the Hooter Girls having to play Jimbo’s games have an attorney, they may end up owning their own Hooters.
Jason
February 15th, 2010
12:12 am
Cheryl there is merit for the girls to file suit, it is called a hostile work environment. One of the girls needed to leave for school and was told that she needed to participate and it was implied that she must win to be able to leave. if her shift is over then it is time for her to go, if you need to cut the floor then and it is allowed ask if there is anyone that would like to go. I think that Jimbo should be fired, and for the person who said it was scripted doing such a thing is bad, and makes the hooters corporation look bad, nad honestly with the wings that they serve they cannot afford any more bad publicity. The CEO needs to stop treating his employees bad the employees and customers alike are how they stay in business.
That is my opinion
bamabelle2000
February 15th, 2010
12:20 am
I find it hard to believe that even if this was “staged” that Hooters would allow this to be seen on TV when they KNOW it would bring them bad publicity. 90 percent of the comments here have said they were disgusted and wouldn’t go in there again. So, if this was scripted then the CEO of Hooters is a dummy.
Erika
February 15th, 2010
12:24 am
This show was filmed while I was under Jimbo’s management at Hooters. Although his ways clashed with what the Hooter Girls agreed with from time to time (as I’m sure every employee experiences with their boss every now and then) he was overall a good manager. Some of the games we played to get cut early weren’t very practical, but by all means we always had fun playing them, whether we lost or won. He never made us do anything like the bean eating contest…so I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the producer’s idea. I didn’t work that shift so I don’t know, but it’s hard to believe because when they filmed during my shifts, everything was 100% real, and not a single part of it was scripted or staged. The “inspections” we go through before each shift is done by EVERY manager. Not just Jimbo. Our hair, make-up, nails and uniform had to all be in place before we were let onto the floor. This is to create the image that the store wants. Sometimes he would call us out on small details about the way we looked, but it was always in a joking manner, and he never said things to actually hurt us or make us feel bad about ourselves. Several times Jimbo would even hold contests with prizes for the Hooter girls that he paid for out of his own pockets. There were times I had conflicts with Jimbo, but overall, by judging the year or so that I worked with, I feel he was a good manager that added excitement to our shifts. It’s too bad they portrayed him this way on the show!
Savannah
February 15th, 2010
12:24 am
For the record, i said the SHOW scripted it, not Hooters. Do you really think Hooters WANTED to look bad?? Hooters has fun and games all the time. if someone was to take bits and clips of anything, showing only one side, it could and would look bad. think about it. have you ever been IN a Hooters? see for yourself. ask the Hooters Girls.
bamabelle2000
February 15th, 2010
12:28 am
Sweetheart even if the show was scripted Hooters looks like a bunch of dummies for letting it air and believe me when I say, every women’s group out there is licking their chops just to get a chance to cut down this company. And this girls are stupid for letting themselves be taken advantage of. They should know better and he should too.
Erika
February 15th, 2010
12:34 am
I never felt taken advantage of. I worked at Hooters for a year and a half, so that shows that I felt comfortable there and enjoyed my time spent at Hooters. If Jim or anyone ever disrespected me, I would have quit on the spot! Over half of the Hooter Girls have been working there for much longer than I did…I’m talking 3-4 years longer than I did! So there is something that we enjoy about working there. I quite because it conflicted with my school schedule, not because of management issues. I actually truely miss my co-workers and would definately consider getting rehired over the summer! It’s a laid back, casual, fun and easy job, and I don’t regret my time spent there in the slightest.
Kelly
February 15th, 2010
12:39 am
Whether or not the show was scripted doesn’t matter, because either way, Coby showed extremely poor judgment – certainly not the judgment befitting a CEO. Any competent CEO would never have agreed to do the ‘beyond’ degrading scene with Jimbo (”inappropriate” doesn’t even come close to describing it!) sensationalism or not. Again, scripted or not, Coby could have made it work by breaking his cover and firing the *bleep* Jimbo on the spot, thereby showing that he isn’t completely incompetent and negligent. Coby should also know that millions of viewers believe what they see and would never think the show was scripted. The girls who did (or agreed to do) the Jimbo scene simply proved that Hooters girls ARE stupid bimbos – blatantly contradicting Coby’s claim. Oh, and Coby – sexy doesn’t have to be slutty!
bamabelle2000
February 15th, 2010
12:39 am
My question is then,when is enough is enough? When he ask the girls to mud wrestle for a raise? I mean seriously. This guy is a jerk staged or not and should be fired. It make Hooters image any better, if anything it made it worse and open them up to a lot of law suits.
Richard
February 15th, 2010
12:39 am
Folks, as much as I would like to believe, this is not real world. CBS is the culprit here and I hope that either the ratings drop this show as currently produced or they not further insult the American intellect with unbelievable “reality”. Scripting to sell TV is the name of the game, here. The Waste Management episode had some redeeming qualities, namely the obvious sincerity of Larry O’Donnell III. But even that episode left some big questions (not about him, but about the production). Tonight’s episode was a joke, showing a supposedly sincere CEO toward making things better in Hooters. CBS tried to show us the truly caring side of Coby Brooks tonight but it sure didn’t work with me. If most companies in the US had any sort of similarity to the way Coby does things, we are in a world of hurt. Coby, if you truly cared for the thing that fell into your lap from your dad, tonight’s episode surely did not convinoe me of that. CBS, don’t take the intelligence of TV viewers for granted.
Gary
February 15th, 2010
12:40 am
Doesn’t seemed to have hurt Hooters any. The three restaurants that I know of have had good months recently and the last several weeks with the SuperBowl and Daytona 500. People need to understand that these reality shows are scripted and heavily edited. The way some of you are reacting just goes to show why these TV execs continue to put these shows on the air. The ignorance of some makes for great TV. Hooters was fine before the show and will be after.
bamabelle2000
February 15th, 2010
12:41 am
And I agree it makes the girls look like a bunch of bimbos who will do anything for a dollar. Not the message I want my niece to get.
bamabelle2000
February 15th, 2010
12:42 am
Gary if you have a daughter, would you let her work at Hooters?
Matt Mackowski
February 15th, 2010
1:30 am
the majority of reality shows are scripted and heavily edited to create on thing “good television” To the first Erin that believed that Jimbo is a nice guy and that this was all a staged event – I got to believe you. Don’t know if he is a nice guy but notice at the end in the parking lot in the recap they didn’t show the Jimbo fiasco again, because the company knew it was a staged event. When Coby “revealed” himself to Jimbo there were very quick cuts, most of reactions, and I’ll bet that other than the wide shot that they were not even in the same room.
Watching the portion of Jimbo again, I can clearly see the “acting” by Jimbo. When he brings the plate of beans out he’s looking of camera supposedly to either one of the producers, to Coby almost laughing off camera.
Besides NO ONE would EVER be kept on after really treating employees that badly if were me and I WOULD HAVE shown the rest of the company after I fired him. I’m not saying they don’t get away with it, but…
While I get it, this is TV, but it is certainly NOT reality TV.
Kelly
February 15th, 2010
1:44 am
CBS isn’t exactly the culprit – they are a business, capitalizing on the ignorance of viewers (Joe Six-pack – you betcha!) The viewers are the culprit. If people continue to watch without complaining, CBS will continue with the degrading (to all) ‘reality’ scripts. The Waste Management episode was more believable, and had a ‘feel good’ ending – the CEO showed sincerity and empathy – more importantly, he made appropriate changes reflecting what he learned. After all, the true appeal of the show (real or not) is that viewers love to see the CEO get into the trenches and better appreciate the challenges their employees face (both in work and in life) – people relate – everyone likes to see the ‘bad guy’ punished/fired, and everyone likes to see the CEO listen to suggestions, especially if they show (act like) they really care. Fantasy or not, the show has a lot of potential because who doesn’t want to be appreciated, who doesn’t want to see that injustices have consequences – especially now in this economy, with so many people being over-worked and/or struggling? Tonight, they dropped the ball, or rather, Coby Brooks dropped the ball – it was a lose/lose situation – Coby/Hooters just looked stupid, and the show left most people (except the 14 y/o boys) dissatisfied, (because someone like Jimbo, who exemplifies the scum of society, wasn’t fired immediately) which isn’t good for CBS.
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.
CBS Sucks
February 16th, 2010
7:31 pm
I really enjoyed last week’s Undercover Boss, but this week’s was an absolute joke! That Coby was guy is an absolute joke, no real changes!?!? His big thing about the degradation of women, was hey how about let’s do a marketing campaign to show people what Hooter’s girls do in the community. Give me a break, what a joke. That Coby guy has no spine, is a joke of a CEO, and NO Coby, your father is not looking down giving you a wink, he’s looking down and seeing what a spineless dolt he has for a son!
Liz
February 17th, 2010
10:17 am
I think the way people judge is pitiful. I was googling some stuff because I went to college with Coby. I will not be back on here because it is quite disheartening to read the judging made by so many people. None of us are in a place to judge. We really need to realize that what you see on TV and hear in the news is not always the truth, and rarely the whole truth. I have experienced this type of thing personally….people personally attacking my family behind the internet, etc. How do we really know if Mr. Brooks can fire Jimbo? The girls CHOOSE to work there. The girls are not FORCED to wear those uniforms. If we want to say that – then aren’t we all forced to wear “uniforms” to work? I wouldn’t say Hooters is for families; you know what type of place you are entering if you go there…so, if it offends you – don’t go. Just like if going to a strip club offends you – don’t go. If drinking alcohol offends you, don’t go to a bar.
People always judge and make comments as if it is so easy to do this and do that. We don’t know what the corporate rules are for firing….but, I do know that most companies cannot just fire someone without attempting to help the employee fix the problem. It got that way because of so many lawsuits filed by people who were fired without being given a chance to improve.
Who cares why he is divorced? Just because he was fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be put in the position he is in doesn’t mean he did something wrong to get divorced and doesn’t mean he is a male chauvenist or likes slutty girls. Geez. More than half of the American population is divorced – do we all deserve to have the reasons published or discussed on the internet?
I think it is too bad reality shows ever got started.
Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes!!
EricaLangeIsIgnorant
February 17th, 2010
12:15 pm
@Erica Lange
What the ^#@&$! is a “shovenist”?
jack mc
February 17th, 2010
3:29 pm
Suckers
Pam
February 17th, 2010
5:11 pm
I am with most of you out there, Jimbo (Dumbo) should have been fired. NO, IF, ANDS OR BUTS. He may overtime change his behavior but he will go back to his old ways, if he can act that way on camera then think of how it will be when this all dies down. The ladies make great tips I am sure, but, DUMBO should go, go, go.
Downhill fast
February 17th, 2010
10:59 pm
Hooters used to be wonderful as a kid growing up, but they have let quality, service and “top notch girls with good service go” The girls are stuck up now and over rated……. I am over them and I go BW3’s all day long much better (Buffalo Wild Wings). Its a shame too.
Troy Laack
February 18th, 2010
4:48 am
Hooters and CBS did their jobs from what I can see from the postings on this site. Hooters got a lot of PR and people buzzing about the chain. I don’t know what the ratings were, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s up from the Waste Management piece. Hooters is all about boobs and booty. Just take a look at Hooters.com. Hooters has an annual swimsuit pageant and the winner takes home $50,000. Hooters sells all kinds of products – magazine, calendars, DVDs, mouse pads, etc. – all featuring, you guessed it – T&A! The Web site even has a “Hall of Fame” where you can download a Hooters babe in a bikini for your computer’s wall paper. Why would a woman want to work at Hooters? It’s all about the money. Hooters is kind of like Playboy or Hustler – just a little more covered up – or an expanded version of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition – except that you can eat while you get an eyeful or flirt with a waitress. Jimbo, real or fake, isn’t going to make a dent in the Hooters target audience – horney men who like to drink beer, eat and watch sports. “Undercover Boss” probably helped the firm to increase its clientelle. From a business standpoint, it was probably a pretty smart move. And CBS, hey, they got you to turn off the Olympics for an hour at least. What I think is sad is that America is all about Reality TV, the Olympics, Hooters, Facebook, boycots, etc. Meanwhile, thousands are still homeless in New Orleans’ 9th Ward from Hurricane Katrina four years ago; the numbers of human suffering are staggering when you talk about the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean; and the aid for Haiti earthquake victims is all locked up in Port-au-Prince – little to none of it’s being distributed. But you don’t see any of those stories on the networks, in the media or the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And you don’t see it in any of the blogs either or comments either. But, hey, let’s all sing, “We Are the World,” pat ourselves on the back and get back to thumping our chests over guys like Jimbo and companies like Hooters. It’s a sick country and a hurting world.
Cindy
February 18th, 2010
3:34 pm
I got a response back from Hooter’s about Jimbo. It reads as follows:
Hooters of America, Inc and our franchisee Texas Wings, Inc., appreciate your concerns about a manager’s treatment of Hooters Girls in Texas during “Undercover Boss.” We agree with those concerns and agree that Coby Brooks, the President and CEO of Hooters of America, Inc. would have dealt with the manager immediately except the CBS contact requirements and the realities of “reality TV” did not allow for this result. The Company believes that you are entitled to know the following:
1.Hooters of America and Mr. Brooks were bound by a complex legal agreement with CBS not to disclose anything about the contents of the show, including the name of the owner of the restaurant; Texas Wings, Inc. Coming out of the Undercover role to discipline the manager in some way would have violated the CBS agreement. Now that the show has aired discussion is possible.
2.The manager in question resigned from his duties as an employee of Hooters and has left to pursue other options outside the Hooters system.
3.Texas Wings is the largest franchisee of Hooters of America and successfully operates 42 Hooters throughout Texas. Hooters of America is confident that the Texas stores are among the best managed and most successful in the Hooters system.
Hooters has a longstanding and highly effective policy protecting employees from all harassment. Hooters of America and Texas Wings are confident the incident portrayed on Undercover Boss is in no way representative of conduct within the Hooters system, which employs over 25,000 people at 460 restaurants in 42 states and 27 countries.
We appreciate your interest in Hooters and look forward to seeing you in one of our neighborhood restaurants soon. Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Avery
Hooters Hotline…We give a Hoot!
P.S. Please retain your Thread ID in the message body. This will help us locate your information should you need us again.
Jimbo is gone……
Michelle
February 18th, 2010
5:40 pm
The reports are true about it all being staged. Any employee or former employee can tell the difference between the atmosphere of the restaurant before the doors open and when the lunch rush is over. I also confirmed it with some of my Arlington friends. Should Jimbo thought twice before going along w/ it – yes. But when there is pressure from your CEO to “play along” what are you gonna do? They all knew it was Coby and it was all a big scam for ratings and to get Hooters name out there. I’ll bet your dad is proud of you Coby. I am embarrased for everyone who went along with it.
Michelle
February 18th, 2010
5:43 pm
Cindy – yes we have all heard that song and dance. Blah Blah Blah… Hooters can’t fix this one. The internet is a powerful tool. It only took a few days for the REAL truth to come out. Jimbo left because of the backlash, understandably. He was their puppet. He was a beloved stand up good guy managers who because of the show no longer works for a company he spent over a decade working for. poor judgement on everyone’s behalf.
Jennifer
February 19th, 2010
9:18 am
The girls who work there are young and ignorant. Most will no doubt feel different once they have children, especially a daughter! What Coby needs to do is to cover up their butts and breasts, and more families will definitely go in. The restaurant sell sex, that’s a fact, and is involves in sexual harassment towards these young women, whether they realize it or not. No decent mother or father will want to subject their kids to that. We would rather send our kids to college and have them get a part time job at a university. For Exploited-Hooters girls who can’t afford college, tell them to log into “Federal Pell Grant Program” to apply for money which will help them with their tuition.. And keep them from exploiting themselves and BEING exploited. Start using using your BRAIN not your BUTTS! Remember you will have to put this job on your resume!!
rob
February 20th, 2010
12:14 pm
I have only been to Hooters a handful of times, but I can’t say the food was great. I can say the girls worked very hard and were personable. Some things to point out, the “CEO” cannot fire the manager, but can apply serious penalties on the franchisee. The corporate policies are not the same as what each franchisee has in place, since it is technically a separate business paying to use the brand. When anyone applies to work for Hooters they should already know what kind of restaurant they are going to work for. Hooters has had a lawsuit before from a male applying for a waiter position and did not get hired(EOE, I don’t think so). Just the uniforms alone can be considered sexual harassment. Firing and hiring employees based on their looks may be immoral, but it is not illegal. Hooters most likely did this show as a publicity stunt to make “guys” wonder what these girls are really like. No one can be forced to do anything they don’t “want” to do. I worked at one place in almost 20 years that the owner treated the female employees this way, I was a supervisor. I informed them of their rights and argued with the owner over the treatment for one month trying to defend the women and improve the situation to no avail. I quit after no change was made, business dropped 10%. After 2 months one of the other partners finally found out about the treatment and other issues and forced him into a buy out. The business and treatment got better while several women filed suits against the previous owner. The face of a company not only affects its’ own appearance, it also affects the appearance of the people who continue to work there.
ShopCrumbs.com
February 20th, 2010
10:48 pm
What a shame! Is this Jimbo for real? Coby should of fired that guy on the spot!
berme
February 21st, 2010
9:19 pm
this show is so fake but fun to watch
Oy Vey – Undercover Boss and Hooters’ CEO Coby Brooks « Mint Resumes – Job Search, Career Info and Resume Writing
February 21st, 2010
9:21 pm
[...] Even in Hooters’ corporate home town they’re less than thrilled – just read Rodney Ho of Access Atlanta. [...]
HootersResponse
February 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
I wrote to hooters and received this response this morning.. I only edit the “Dear…” part
Hooters of America, Inc and our franchisee Texas Wings, Inc., appreciate your concerns about a manager’s treatment of Hooters Girls in Texas during “Undercover Boss.” We agree with those concerns and agree that Coby Brooks, the President and CEO of Hooters of America, Inc. would have dealt with the manager immediately except the CBS contact requirements and the realities of “reality TV” did not allow for this result. The Company believes that you are entitled to know the following:
1.Hooters of America and Mr. Brooks were bound by a complex legal agreement with CBS not to disclose anything about the contents of the show, including the name of the owner of the restaurant; Texas Wings, Inc. Coming out of the Undercover role to discipline the manager in some way would have violated the CBS agreement. Now that the show has aired discussion is possible.
2.The manager in question resigned from his duties as an employee of Hooters and has left to pursue other options outside the Hooters system.
3.Texas Wings is the largest franchisee of Hooters of America and successfully operates 42 Hooters throughout Texas. Hooters of America is confident that the Texas stores are among the best managed and most successful in the Hooters system.
Hooters has a longstanding and highly effective policy protecting employees from all harassment. Hooters of America and Texas Wings are confident the incident portrayed on Undercover Boss is in no way representative of conduct within the Hooters system, which employs over 25,000 people at 460 restaurants in 42 states and 27 countries.
We appreciate your interest in Hooters and look forward to seeing you in one of our neighborhood restaurants soon. Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Avery
Hooters Hotline…We give a Hoot!
Susie
February 26th, 2010
2:37 pm
The Waste Management episode was honorable with the results, scripted or not, but the Hooters episode was a disgrace to women and good managers. I don’t care if people say he was a good person, there were way too many small character traits that showed through which showed Jimbo is not management material. To have a just a talk with him was wrong, he deserved to be fired and no human should be treated like this in order to just leave early. Not good management, and Coby Brooks needs to learn how to be a real CEO.
Nah
February 27th, 2010
4:00 am
It seemed to me that Marcee was actually fired or demoted, and this was skillfully edited out of the show. The editors chose to paint a narrative where the boss is sincerely looking to understand the minions and that Marcee is competent. Perhaps. But perhaps another narrative is also true, one in which the boss sees a manager who can’t cut it and finds a nice way to give her the kiss off and this is all edited out to make the boss seem like a good guy rather than a ruthless businessman. Who knows, maybe the CEO even has some editorial say in the show.
Dave
March 5th, 2010
12:54 pm
If you want to see what the corporations attitude really is, just look at the “bumps” sign on the wall of the corporate boardroom.
Will
March 13th, 2010
2:21 am
Getting worked up over this TV show is like getting worked up over who chose who on the Bachelor. Corporations get some free publicity. Generally these are the corporations that are experiencing some sort of public image problem and really can’t be hurt by putting a human face on their lowly employees – hence the focus on businesses dealing with trash, corner stores, fast food, etc. It’s just separate wings of the same corporate world jerking each other off. The premise of the show sounded interesting, but the execution came packaged in much the same way everything else is packaged – artificial and phony.
The guy Jimbo? Never met the guy, so I can’t really have an opinion on him. Wanting someone fired over 5 minutes worth of TV content where we have no idea of the circumstances. Maybe he was put up to it? Maybe he was acting for the camera? Maybe he’s a massive a-hole and should have been fired? But I’d never want to have someone judge whether I go home with or without a job based on some few minutes on a TV show.
zzzaxxx
March 14th, 2010
8:26 pm
Hooters is crap……..but that aside……..Anyone else notice that women who “find something degrading to women” usually have no shot at doing it? You don’t see Victoria’s Secret models complaining about beauty contests being demeaning, do ya?