Undercover Boss Canada

Undercover Boss Canada
Genre	Reality television
Created by	Stephen Lambert
Country of origin	Canada
Original language	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	19
Production
Running time	45 minutes
Production companies	Studio Lambert Alliance Films Corus Entertainment
Original release
Network	W
Release	February 2, 2012 (2012-02-02) – present
Related
Undercover Boss (franchise)

Undercover Boss, commonly referred to as Undercover Boss Canada is a Canadian reality television series, based on the British series of the same name. Each episode depicts a person who has a high management position at a major Canadian business, deciding to become undercover as an entry-level employee to discover the faults in the company. The first season, which consisted of 10 episodes, ran from February 2, 2012 to April 5, 2012, on W Network. On April 3, 2012, W Network, Alliance, and Corus ordered an additional 30 episodes for the series, to be split into several new seasons.

The second season, which consisted of 8 episodes, aired from September 6, 2012 to October 25, 2012. The third season will premiere on January 17, 2013.

Format

CEOs from ten of Canada’s biggest corporations stealthily join the ranks of their own unsuspecting workforce in the anticipated new series Undercover Boss Canada. Each episode features a prominent executive from a Canadian company who goes incognito among their employees. The executive, in disguise, works with their staff who believe they are simply training a new recruit. Each “boss” takes an often emotional journey, discovering the effects their decisions have on others, the perception of the company, and who the unsung heroes of their workforce are. Most importantly, they learn how to apply what they have gained from the experience – both for their company and for themselves.

Episodes

Summary

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			Season premiere	Season finale
	1	10	February 2, 2012	April 5, 2012
	2	8	September 6, 2012	October 25, 2012
	3	TBA	January 17, 2013	Spring 2013

Episodes

• No. = Overall episode number
• Ep = Episode number by season

Season 1: 2012

No.	Ep	Title	"Boss"	Original air date
1	1	"Toronto Zoo"	John Tracogna	February 2, 2012 (2012-02-02)
As the new CEO of the Toronto Zoo, John Tracogna has a lot of beasts to herd. The zoo’s livelihood relies on private investments and grants, but the city threatening a sale following $1 million in budget cuts has donors closing their wallets. Between press fiascos over separated gay penguins and imported giant pandas costing a fortune, John goes undercover to get a sense of employee morale and maintain perspective on what is important – conservation, breeding endangered species and making sure the daily tonne of animal food gets distributed properly.
2	2	"Pizza Pizza"	Paul Goddard	February 9, 2012 (2012-02-09)
Paul Goddard has big shoes to fill as recently appointed CEO of Canada's largest and most successful pizza chain, Pizza Pizza. His late father-in-law Michael Overs – who founded the business 45 years ago – turned the brand into a multi-million dollar company. Now Paul has taken over in this highly competitive industry, but his background is in the oil industry and IT – not pizza. Paul goes undercover to get a slice of the action and the front line information he needs to run the company successfully. From the dough factory floor onto the delivery routes in Edmonton and Toronto, Paul gains a fresh perspective on Pizza Pizza – and the challenges the company faces day-to-day.
3	3	"Toronto Transit Commission"	Karen Stintz	February 16, 2012 (2012-02-16)
City Councillor and Toronto Transit Commission Chair Karen Stintz goes undercover inside the country's largest mass transit system to get her hands dirty with some of the toughest and grittiest jobs.
4	4	"1-800-Got-Junk?"	Brian Scudamore	February 23, 2012 (2012-02-23)
Just over 20 years ago, Brian Scudamore had a vision for 1 - 800 - GOT - JUNK ?. Since then, he has revolutionized customer service in the junk removal business, having built the largest junk removal franchise in the world. Brian was once a junk remover himself and knows the ropes, but now he goes undercover to really understand how the franchisees in his business work. With recent motivation to grow his one-day painting service, he needs new ammunition and a better understanding on how to improve customer service and marketing. Getting down and dirty on the job, Brian collects much more than junk – including new inspiration from employees along the way.
5	5	"Cineplex Entertainment"	Ellis Jacob	March 1, 2012 (2012-03-01)
Toronto headquartered Cineplex theaters plays host to 70 million guests annually. CEO Ellis Jacob has had wild success in the theatre business, but the digital revolution has left audiences with a myriad of viewing options. As such, Cineplex is well aware they had better take nothing for granted. Ellis goes undercover in theatres serving popcorn and selling tickets in hopes to improve efficiency and innovation in order keep the good times rolling. But how will this media mogul perform on the ground floor away from his spreadsheets and head office corner suite?
6	6	"Molson"	Dave Perkins	March 8, 2012 (2012-03-08)
With Molson CEO Dave Perkins too recognizable for the job, Chief Legal Officer Kelly Brown goes undercover in the Molson Coors Breweries across Canada. A new mother, Kelly leaves her young daughter at home, traveling from east to west to brave the production line and overnight shifts. Working in a male-dominated industry, Kelly connects with other women in the breweries to see what they face on the job – and she is surprised by what she learns. As well, facing public criticism from beer lovers of Molson’s “industrial” taste, Kelly gets into the hops and testing at the Creemore plant. She also checks if corners are being cut safety-wise. She discovers employee dedication she can raise a glass to, and makes some emotional connections along the way.
7	7	"Second Cup"	Stacey Mowbray	March 15, 2012 (2012-03-15)
Under CEO Stacey Mowbray’s direction, Second Cup is gunning to reverse the losses of the last decade and take on the intense coffee chain competition as Canadians’ cup of choice. The challenge is steering a new course in the franchise system where change can’t be mandated, but rather inspired. With bold competition and an evolving brand, Second Cup needs to make its mark as a company that cares and provides the best cafe experience. Stacey gets brewing with her frontline employees – her most valuable asset – and shows them what this really means.
8	8	"GoodLife Fitness"	Jane Riddell	March 22, 2012 (2012-03-22)
COO of GoodLife Fitness Jane Riddell enjoys making a difference in people’s lives through fitness. From coast to coast, one in every 45 Canadians is a GoodLife member. Creativity and new programs for member and employee retention are necessary to be competitive in the gym crowd. Without this, profitability could flounder. Jane immerses herself in the gym scene to gain new insight. As an undercover boss, she works as a Zumba instructor trainee, a maintenance worker and salesperson, whose competitive skills may not be up to snuff. Later, when she witnesses employee dedication wavering, she must exercise her covert operation skills.
9	9	"Skyline International Development"	Michael Sneyd	March 29, 2012 (2012-03-29)
Michael Sneyd, CEO of Skyline International Development, is new to the company and has been tasked by Skyline’s investors to take business to the next level creating a coast-to-coast hotel group. During one of the most severe downturns the hospitality industry has experienced in decades, Skyline is relying on its employees to provide superior guest experiences in resorts that need updating and investment. Michael knows he also needs to cut costs – and that means getting creative. His goal in going undercover is to engage front line employees and get their ideas up the chain’s fast-growing infrastructure. If all goes to plan, the sky is the limit.
10	10	"FedEx"	Lisa Lisson	April 5, 2012 (2012-04-05)
In the season one finale, Lisa Lisson, CEO of FedEx Express Canada, knows how to deliver. But as a single mother with a high stress job, she also believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. FedEx is consistently listed as one of the top 50 best Canadian employers and Lisa knows to be number one, the FedEx work environment needs to improve. She believes that when employees are engaged, committed and motivated by their leaders and work culture, they are driven to contribute to the company’s well being. Lisa goes undercover to ensure employees have the tools they need to succeed - and that FedEx not only delivers to its customers, but also to its valuable employees.

Season 2: 2012

On April 3, 2012, the W Network ordered an additional 30 episodes. The second season, which contained 8 episodes, aired from September 6, 2012 to October 25, 2012.

No.	Ep	Title	"Boss"	Original air date
1	11	"Home Hardware"	Terry Davis	September 6, 2012 (2012-09-06)
The executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Terry Davis has been with Home Hardware for 42 years. Now he’s returning to his roots working in the warehouse and making his own improvements. But will the disguised worker walk off the job after a sweaty shift of hauling drywall?
2	12	"Canlan Ice Sports Corporation"	Joey St-Aubin	September 13, 2012 (2012-09-13)
Undercover Boss Canada takes a look at what really goes into creating the nation’s favourite pastime – Hockey. Canlan Ice Sports Corp is the largest private sector owner/operator of ice sports & entertainment facilities in North America and believes its role is to nurture future NHL stars. CEO Joey St-Aubin admits their prices are higher than local municipal rinks, but believes his company offers a premium service and better ice quality. In an effort to win back cost-conscious customers, he adopts a brand new identity, allowing him to secretly survey his rinks, bars and restaurants and find out how they’re really performing. Ice Queen Ramona coldly tells him to quit complaining when he struggles to get the rinks ready for play-off, and there’s so much dog poop to pick up at one facility, there’s no time for lunch. In the end, what he discovers leads to real frontline changes that make life easier for staff and also go down well with customers.
3	13	"Purdy's Chocolates"	Kriston Dean	September 20, 2012 (2012-09-20)
Chocolates are a sinful indulgence, but while Kriston Dean has the nation’s most delicious job, hitting sales targets is a tough nut to crack. Purdy’s dominates the west, but is struggling to make an impression elsewhere. To boost sales, the Chocolate Queen travels the country, working in disguise in her own stores and factory floors. But Kriston is nearly busted by a suspicious staffer, and it’s not long before she has a chocolate meltdown and brings an entire assembly line to a gooey halt. When her fake tattoo is wiped off and wig whipped away at the end of the week, she meets the people she worked with again. Her true identity is revealed, and they discover she’s a boss with a soft center. Devoted worker Kathy, who juggles hectic factory floor shifts while looking after a sick husband and raising a grandson, is full of teary-eyed appreciation when Kriston decides it’s time to make her life easier.
4	14	"Cooke Aquaculture"	Glenn Cooke	September 27, 2012 (2012-09-27)
This episode nets an exclusive “behind-the-scenes” look at what it really takes to get fish on our dinner plates. Cooke Aquaculture is the Canadian leader in salmon farming, but they operate within an aggressive global market, and have to maintain production to safeguard jobs in Atlantic Canada. In some communities, they are responsible for one out of every two pay cheques. CEO Glenn Cooke gets a fresh head of hair and a new identity, so he can join his own workers on the frontline. As he struggles through the work week, he causes chaos at his fish processing plant and creates costly delays. All is forgiven, though, when he gets a chance to make good and reveal his true identity at the end of it all. He summons the workers he met to the company’s remote retreat, The Big Hole Fishing Lodge. Mom Elvie, who lost her husband after a long illness, is in tears when family man Glenn makes her vacation dream come true, and hatchery technician Jean gets the surprise of her life when he announces plans to reunite her 15 brothers and sisters for a long-awaited get-together.
5	15	"Victorian Order of Nurses"	Judith Shamian	October 4, 2012 (2012-10-04)
The Healthcare system is at breaking point, as baby boomers age and put increasing demand on services. The Victorian Order of Nurses takes the pressure off hospitals by providing care for people in their own homes. It was once a unique service, but now hundreds of rival companies compete for cash and customers. Judith Shamian says unless she takes drastic action, the Canadian institution she runs will be consigned to the history books. However, her decision to work in disguise so she can see for herself the pressure nurses are under in life and death situations is riddled with risk. Just hours into her first day on the job, an unexpected encounter throws her undercover operation into chaos. At the end of the week, an exhausted Judith resumes her role as CEO, and rewards the workers who showed such kindness and dedication. A couple with a heart-breaking story gets an emotional double surprise. Their reward will benefit an entire community.
6	16	"Tervita Corporation"	Fory Musser	October 11, 2012 (2012-10-11)
Tervita specializes in environmental clean-up for Western Canada’s booming energy and mining industries. The company has ambitious growth plans to attract workers. It doesn’t take long for Fory Musser, VP of Strategy, to discover why when he quits his cushy office for a work week on the frontline – his company specializes in doing some of the nation’s dirtiest, smelliest jobs. He joins Julie, who sorts through tons of dangerous, nasty waste every day, and Etta, a former social worker who used to repair families but gets more job satisfaction destroying things, as Tervita’s top car crusher. When Fory’s undercover assignment is up, he returns to HQ and summons the five workers he met to a meeting, where he dishes out some of the season’s biggest rewards.
7	17	"Premiere Van Lines"	Kirsten Flynn	October 18, 2012 (2012-10-18)
Moving is officially the second most stressful event we go through in life – trumped only by the death of a loved one. Established, professional moving companies are being squeezed by low-cost rivals and unregulated fly-by-nights. “They give the industry a bad name,” says Kirsten Flynn, the boss of Premiere Van Lines. She’s a woman with a formidable reputation. Her own staff call her “Frugal Flynn” because she watches the pennies to protect profits. But will she loosen the purse strings after traveling the country and seeing firsthand how her own staff are missing basic tools? It’s doesn’t take long before the disguised boss is overwhelmed and literally can’t deliver the goods. A storage worker breaks down when he reveals how, years ago, a horrific accident cut short his career at the wheel.
8	18	"PJ's Pets and Pets Unlimited"	Margaret Kordas	October 25, 2012 (2012-10-25)
Canadians spend nearly $9 billion dollars a year on their pets – that’s more than we spend on kids’ toys, designer shoes and dental plans! PJ’s Pets/Pets Unlimited is one of the nation’s oldest and respected pet store chains, but the company has a new President in place, and she’s prepared to rattle a few cages. Margaret Kordas steps out of her high heels and spends a week working in her own stores. Throughout her journey, she comes to appreciate the level of knowledge and competence the retail staff displays. While in disguise she also discovers a few costly inefficiencies and wasted opportunities – and confronts a personal fear of spiders! At the end of the week, she slips back into her designer suit and heels to reunite with the passionate people she worked with. Her true identity is revealed and those workers are rewarded for their hard work and honesty.

Season 3: 2013

The show's third season will premiere on January 17, 2013.