The Emmy-award-winning reality television series Undercover Boss - which allows upper-level managers to perform job duties on the front lines to explore how their companies really operate and where improvements can be made - has included senior execs from Hooters, Roto-Rooter, NASCAR, Boston Market and Yankee Candle.
On Friday night, Eric Casaburi will become the first CEO from the fitness industry to appear on the show. Casaburi founded New Jersey-based Retro Fitness in 2004 based, he says, on the principles of perseverance, integrity, honesty and cleanliness. He went undercover on the show as a sales associate, a front-desk associate and a general manager, and he wasn't always pleased with what he saw - as this episode preview attests:
"Going undercover allowed me see if our locations are operating within our brand's standards of top-notch customer service and cleanliness," Casaburi says. "If Retro Fitness is going to continue to grow and expand at the current rapid pace, it's imperative that our foundation of integrity remains intact."
Retro Fitness has more than 90 facilities operating in 12 states, and expansion plans call for 150 more in the next three years in such new markets as California, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Casaburi is celebrating Friday night's show by inviting members of the general public to a free cardio workout and watch party at local Retro Fitness locations.
Undercover Boss airs Friday on CBS at 8 p.m. (EST).
