‘Undercover Boss’ Analysis of Episode 4: Owner Dave Rife of White Castle

Brief Overview:

In this week’s episode of “Undercover Boss”, Dave Rife, one of the owners of White Castle, discovers what it’s like to work in the front lines of a White Castle fast food restaurant, and as a line worker in some of the bakery plants.

Analysis

Obligatory Harold and Kumar reference. Just wanted to get this done with.

Position 1: Fast Food Restaurant Employee

Overview: “David” works alongside Donna performing cleaning, cooking, and preparation duties.

Result: Rife learns of Donna’s struggle with eating habits and weight loss, leading to a previous heart attack.

How he made amends: Rife creates a new wellness program designed to help employees make healthier choices.

What he should have done: Take a look at the White Castle menu nutrional information. Can you find “salad”? Didn’t think so. Give your employees healthier lunch options, so they don’t have to brown bag it just to avoid the occasional heart attack. Rife must have fallen asleep during Super Size Me.

Caught red-handed...or should I say bare-handed?

Position 2: White Castle Bakery Line Worker

Overview: “David” works the bun assembly lines under manager Steve. He can’t quite figure out how to pack the buns right. That’s what she said.

Result: Steve informs Rife that he’s destroyed 4,800 buns, which will now be used as feed for a pig farm. 

How he made amends: Rife actually does not not indicate that he’s become aware of an issue.

What he should have done: Hey Rife, ever heard of gloves? You know, the things that cover your hands from depositing germs and bacteria on the thousands upon thousands of raw food products the employees handle on a daily basis? White Castle may want to work this into the rule book.

Topping of the burger with cheese, pickle, and swine flu.

Position 3: Fast Food Restaurant Employee Part 2

Overview: “David” works the grill under manager Tina’s orders, taking a crack at both the grill and the intercom, with smooth talker Joe as his mentor.

Result: Rife is very impressed with the way Joe handled himself on the intercom.

How he made amends: Rife creates a new program “Leaders of Tomorrow” and asks Joe to help write the curriculum. He also gives $5,000 to Joe towards assisting his visually impaired son.

What he should have done: The “Leaders of Tomorrow” program is very vague, so it’s hard to say much about it.  Instead, I’d like to bring up the glove issue again, just to drive it home.  Seriously.

Appetizing. It's no wonder Jose' wants to go to school to learn how to cook.

Position 4: Fast Food Restaurant Employee Part 3

Overview: “David” is paired with worker Jose’ restocking food. “David” learns that Jose’ wants to go to culinary school and start his own restaurant one day.

Result: Rife samples Jose’s homemade special sauce on his lunch, and is blown away.

How he made amends: Rife introduces Jose’ to the White Castle culinary team, and provides him with a $5,000 scholarship.

What he should have done: I don’t know which school Jose is planning to attend, but unless it’s the School of Hard Knocks, $5,000 won’t go very far.

"Ok ready? On 3...1...2...3...Awkward!"

Position 5: White Castle Frozen Foods Assembly Line

Overview: “David” shows up late to work with supervisor Brenda and line worker Vicky, where he ensures that each piece of cheese is laid squarely on each square burger. Do people really get paid for this?

Result: Rife notices that Brenda does not assist Vicky when she’s in need, and instead leaves her employees to fend for themselves on the cheese line. The two clearly do not work together well.

How he made amends: In a somewhat awkward meeting, Rife asks Vicky to explain what she dislikes about Brenda’s management. He then demands that the two learn to work together, because everyone knows straightening cheese on patties is a two-person job.

What he should have done: Made some good reality TV and fired Brenda! Ok, maybe not, but perhaps a more severe talking-to was in order.

Grade:

The no-glove thing is a killer.

We found Rife to be almost as cheap as the burgers White Castle sells.

He would make for a great pig farmer though.

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