Frozen yogurt franchise team members are inspiring as they embrace the culture of Menchie’s

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Just months after viewers got a look behind the scenes in a typical Menchie’s frozen yogurt franchise on the two-time Emmy award-winning CBS hit series Undercover Boss, the show featured another Menchie’s team member on March 7, 2014. Menchie’s CEO Amit Kleinberger, who was featured along with PostNet CEO Steve Greenbaum and the restaurant company Twin Peaks, was described as being among “three of the most memorable bosses in the show’s history.”

During the first Undercover Boss episode last October, Amit went undercover as “Alan” and visited a Menchie’s in El Paso, Texas. Amit was so moved by team member Jenni Lutz’s positive attitude and enthusiasm, he contributed $25,000 to her university  tuition. She’s now enrolled at University of Texas at Arlington, where she’s studying marketing. Her dream job? Working at Menchie’s corporate headquarters.

CEO Amit Kleinberger appeared disguised as a team member for his first appearance on “Undercover Boss.”

Although he enjoyed his experience on the show, Amit figures he can’t go undercover again because he might be recognized. He chooses Jenni to go instead because, he says, she “embodies the values of what we’d like to see from every single one of my team members.”

With a blonde wig and a bit of disguise work from a talented makeup artist, Jenni heads to the Santa Monica Menchie’s, one of the chain’s most visible stores. In addition to serving a large number of guests each day, the store draws its fair share of celebrities. Amit felt it was crucial to make sure the store was delivering the right experience for each person who passed through the door.

Posing as a college student named “Mickey” trying to win money on a reality show, Jenni works for shift leader Christina, 24, whom Amit is pleased to see immediately trains “Mickey” on the importance of Menchie’s culture — making every guest feel welcomed and putting a smile on every guest’s face. “Mickey” learns that Christina, a former college basketball player, stays positive despite hardships in her life — she’s working two full-time jobs, raising her 3-year-old son, and she recently lost her mother after an illness.

Amit Kleinberger, CEO of Menchie’s

From his vantage point in an RV outside the store, Amit describes Christina as a “warrior.” “These are the type of people I wake up for in the morning,” he says. “These are the type of people I want working with me.”

Later, Jenni reveals herself and takes Christina to meet with Amit. He gifts the store with updated equipment to help best serve guests, and he gives the hard-working and dedicated Christina an all-expenses paid vacation to Hawaii for herself, her son and her father, along with $5,000 to start a college fund for her son. Amit thanks Christina for inspiring everyone around her and constantly putting others first — and then tells her he is giving her an additional $10,000 to spend however she likes.

The segment concludes with Amit again recognizing Jenni’s hard work and uplifting personality. He knows she sees her parents less now due to the demands of school and work, so he tells her he will pay for her to fly out to see her parents every 90 days over the next four years.

The first experience with “Undercover Boss” truly touched Amit, and this second experience was no less meaningful.

“As we grow from where we are now to where we want to be, it’s critical to know, are we delivering on the experience we want to deliver for our guests?”

Become a part of the Menchie’s team

Menchie’s is looking for franchisees who will embrace the values embodied by great team members like Jenni and Christina. If you love the idea of making people smile and owning a Menchie’s frozen yogurt franchise, please fill out the form or set up a call HERE. We look forward to hearing from you!