Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven

I must have gotten a good night’s sleep before this one because I was all in and ready to go. Let’s talk about Joe DePinto, the president of 7-Eleven, and why this episode stuck with me in a really unexpected way.

Joe and Dolores
Dolores is the Coffee Queen, full stop. I’m genuinely tempted to go visit her store just to try a cup. There’s something so satisfying about watching a CEO completely mess up a simple task. Joe mixed up decaf and regular, and anyone who drinks coffee knows that mistake can destroy your whole day. Dolores called him out in the most perfect way. Just enough sass, never disrespectful. She also shared that she’s on dialysis, which honestly just reminded me how many people are quietly going through so much while still showing up and doing their jobs. The healthcare system is a disaster, but that’s a separate conversation.

Joe and Phil
The bakery scene might have been my favorite part of the episode. I would actually try that job. You could feel Joe’s stress and frustration build up, and I’ve absolutely been in that panic-work zone where you are going so fast that nothing is actually getting done right. But that approach just doesn’t work in a bakery. Phil was such a solid trainer. He met Joe’s energy but didn’t make it easy on him. He used a little sarcasm, kept it real, but never crossed a line. He also happens to be an artist with incredible personal style, and I always love when people bring their creativity into any job they do.

Joe and Waqas
This was one of those quietly impactful moments. Waqas noticed Joe didn’t have much to do, but instead of giving him busywork, he kept him in training mode. He explained things clearly, stayed patient, and didn’t talk down to him. When they started throwing out expired bakery items, Joe asked questions and really listened to the answers. That kind of curiosity and presence is exactly what I want from a leader. It also made me think about how broken food waste is in this country, but that’s another topic for another time.

Joe and Laura
Laura had such a calm and grounded presence. She handled everything with patience, but one thing that stood out was the fact that the lights in her stockroom had been out for a full month. That was just her normal. I would not want to walk into a pitch-black storage area either, and that should not have been part of her job. Joe noticed the issue, called his COO, and got it fixed immediately. That is what taking action looks like. Meanwhile, I still cannot believe Coby let Jimbo slide. I’m definitely still holding onto that one.

Joe and Igor
Igor had me smiling the entire time. He brought joy and energy to everything he did and did not need a title to be a leader. Joe asked him how he stays so positive, and Igor said it is because he is living the American Dream. He came here not speaking English and with just fifty dollars in his pocket. Watching that moment again fifteen years later hit me hard. Back then, the dream felt possible. Now people are warned not to come here. If you’re someone who has ever felt left out or pushed aside, I want you to know I see you. Being people-first is not just something I say. It is how I move through the world.

After the Show
Joe has earned a lot of praise since this aired, and he is still going strong as president of 7-Eleven. Under his leadership, the company has donated over eight million dollars to military support groups and helped veterans launch their own franchise businesses. But it has not all been perfect. Some franchise owners have accused the company of churning, which basically means ending agreements just to resell stores. That sparked lawsuits and plenty of public backlash. There were also reports of side deals that seemed aimed at silencing criticism. In 2024, Joe acknowledged the company had to make some hard calls due to inflation and lower sales. That included closing stores and cutting costs. I get that business can be tough, but I still wonder how much of that could have been avoided. Let me know what you think.

Overall, I like Joe. He showed up. He asked real questions. He listened. And he made changes on the spot. That is the kind of leadership I can get behind.

Now that’s what I call leadership.