Where was Employee of the Month filmed?
2006
City Locations
Albuquerque (USA), Santa Fe (USA)
Location Types
Storefront, Unusual
Location Styles
Modern Building, Modern Car, Parking Lot
About Employee of the Month
Employee of the Month is a 2006 comedy centered around two retail superstore workers, Zack (Dane Cook) and Vince (Dax Shepard). They get embroiled in competing for the attention of their newest co-worker, Amy (Jessica Simpson). As Zack and Vince vie for her affection, they also battle over who will ultimately get the Employee of the Month recognition at their store.
Zack had his eyes set on the prestigious title since starting the job at the store, while Vince is new to the position and is determined to prove himself by winning it. In an effort to gain Amy’s attention, both Zack and Vince attempt to outdo each other in their work performance to win the title. Through a series of hijinks and misadventures, they end up learning valuable lessons about friendship instead.
The movie performed decently at the box office, raking in over $38 million against a production budget of $10 to $12 million. It didn’t fare too well when it came to critics, and according to Rotten Tomatoes, it has a low approval rating of 20% based on feedback from 93 critics, with an average score of 4.1 out of 10. The website's consensus concludes that the film features average performances, insufficient humor, and lackluster satirical commentary.
On Metacritic, it has a score of 36 out of 100 by 24 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews." In a survey conducted by CinemaScore, audiences gave the movie a B- grade on a scale from A to F.
Employee of the Month Locations
Employee of the Month is a classic comedy film set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The majority of scenes were shot at a local Costco store, located just off Carlisle Boulevard.
Visitors will find themselves surrounded by well-known places like Old Town Albuquerque, where you can take a stroll through centuries worth of Spanish colonial architecture and American Indian Jewelry. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore nearby attractions such as the Sandia Peak Tramway or visit historical sites like the Petroglyph National Monument.
A trip to the Employee of the Month filming locations would be an enjoyable way to experience some of the unique cultures found in Albuquerque. Not only can you visit classic landmarks like Old Town Plaza or snap pictures at various shopping centers, but you can also take part in activities related to the production.
For instance, you could stop by Costco, where some of our favorite characters from Employee of the Month still work today! If you’re looking for something more adventurous, try your hand at ballooning over Albuquerque’s stunning desert skyline or exploring nearby pueblos and ancient ruins.
Fun Facts:
Employee of the Month was partly filmed at a real-life Costco in Albuquerque, and all the store staff featured in the film were actual employees from that location. Jessica Simpson sang her own version of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" during her audition. The producers included her version in the movie's soundtrack.
New cashier hiring scene in Employee of the Month
Costco Wholesale, 1420 N Renaissance Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States
After a new cashier arrives, Amy Renfro (Jessica Simpson), Vince (Dax Shepard), and Zack (Dane Cook) all develop a romantic interest in her and start vying for her affection. After receiving information from Russell (Harland Williams) that Amy previously slept with the Employee of the Month at her previous job, Zack decides to compete for the title himself. Meanwhile, Vince takes Amy out to dinner but makes advances toward her that she finds repulsive.
Costco Wholesale in Albuquerque is a popular destination for those in search of high-quality products at affordable prices. Located at 1420 N Renaissance Blvd NE, the warehouse store offers a range of goods, including groceries, electronics, furniture, and home goods, among other items.
Costco in Albuquerque also features a food court, gas station, and tire center, making it a convenient one-stop shop for all your needs. The food court also offers various tasty and affordable food options, including pizza, hot dogs, and ice cream, while the gas station offers competitive fuel prices.
If you're headed to 1420 N Renaissance Blvd NE in Albuquerque, you might be wondering how exactly to get there. Fortunately, navigating to this address is not as complicated as it might seem. It’s as easy as asking a local for directions or using public transportation to get to the area.
The warehouse scene in Employee of the Month
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
The scene is set in an industrial-style warehouse, surrounded by traditional adobe buildings and desert plants. Inside, the employees are hard at work stocking shelves and organizing boxes.
One of the main draws of Santa Fe is its beautiful historic architecture, which reflects the city's long and diverse history. The downtown area is filled with adobe buildings, narrow streets, and hidden courtyards, giving it an unmistakable charm and character.
Some of the most notable historic landmarks in Santa Fe include the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in America, and the Santa Fe Plaza, which dates back to the early 1600s.
Amtrak's Southwest Chief route stops in Lamy, New Mexico, which is about 15 miles southeast of Santa Fe. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service into town.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers train service between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, with multiple stops along the way. Once you arrive at the Santa Fe Depot, you can walk or take a taxi to your destination.
Vince working in the Maxi-Mart scene in Employee of the Month
Sam's Club Bakery, 1421 N Renaissance Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107, United States
After being terminated from Super Club, Vince (Dax Shepard) finds himself on probation and working at Maxi-Mart. Jorge's (Efren Ramirez) treatment towards Vince has changed and he treats him with the same lack of respect as he was shown.
While seated together in Jorge's new car, Vince requests a ride to the bus stop, which Jorge obliges. However, Jorge purposely drives beyond the perimeter of Vince's court-ordered ankle monitor, resulting in the device shocking him.
Sam's Club Bakery in Albuquerque, located at 1421 N Renaissance Blvd NE, is a popular destination for everyone with a sweet tooth. In addition to offering a wide selection of fresh and delicious bread, cakes, pastries, and cookies, the bakery is also known for its excellent customer service.
To get to 1421 N Renaissance Blvd NE, Albuquerque, start on the route heading towards Interstate 25 (I-25) in Albuquerque. From there, navigate your way to the unmistakable Employee of the Month filming location.
Conclusion
Employee of the Month is a film that follows the story of an ambitious slacker and a repeat winner who compete for the title of Employee of the Month, to gain the affection of a new female employee. Much of the film was shot at a real-life Costco store in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
It turns out that Sam’s Club had just set up shop opposite the Costco location, and the on-screen rivalry inspired the competition between the two brands in part. Perhaps that’s the tidbit any huge fan of the comedy needs to embark on an Employee of the Month filming tour.
The locations were also used to create a visually stimulating experience for viewers. Various scenes were filmed at different establishments, including corporate offices, restaurants, factories, malls, and parks.
From charmingly quaint cafés to bustling factories and everything in between, it gives audiences a glimpse into different aspects of daily life in Albuquerque. The diverse scenery complements the heartfelt story arc perfectly; not only does it provide an entertaining movie-watching experience but it also emphasizes its optimistic message about chasing goals and achieving dreams.
All in all, Employee of the Month is an inspiring comedy that speaks to anyone no matter where they are from.