The eighth season largely centers around Andy Bernard's ascension to regional manager, as well as the antics of Robert California, the new CEO of Sabre, a fictional printer company that owns Dunder Mifflin. Halfway through the season, Dwight Schrute —along with Jim Halpert, Stanley Hudson, Ryan Howard, Erin Hannon, and Cathy —travel to Florida to help set up a Sabre Store, where Nellie Bertram is introduced.
Robert California stops by for the first time as CEO and leaves behind a mysterious list that has a line down the middle and every member of the office on either one side or the other. The office members frantically try to figure out what it means. Meanwhile, the new manager Andy faces a crisis.
After Robert California challenges the Dunder Mifflin staffers to double their sales, Andy, taking matters into his own hands, creates an incentive program. Eventually, he promises to tattoo himself if the staff doubles their sales. Meanwhile, Pam strikes up an unlikely friendship with Angela, both of whom are pregnant.
The entire warehouse staff quits after winning the lotto, leaving Andy and Darryl to scramble for replacements while several of the office workers get a taste of the warehouse life.
Andy plants the seeds of trying to impress Robert California by throwing a garden party at Schrute Farms. Andy's parents and brother also attend the event, only to make him feel awkward.
Erin works to make a spooky, non-childish Halloween party with help from Gabe. Dwight becomes friends with Robert's son, and Pam and Jim debate the existence of ghosts. Meanwhile, Robert tries to figure out everyone's deepest fears.
Dwight installs a Doomsday device that will fire all of the employees and effectively close down the branch if they make too many mistakes. Meanwhile, Gabe attempts to court the new warehouse worker, Val.
Pam trains an attractive temporary worker to take her place while she is on maternity leave, and enlists Dwight's support when she tries to show that Jim finds her replacement attractive. Meanwhile, Robert California surprises Andy, Kevin, and Darryl when he requests to join their band.
Andy takes some of the office staff on a field trip to Gettysburg for inspiration. Meanwhile, the rest of the office, under orders from Robert California, are tasked with coming up with a new business idea for Dunder Mifflin. Kevin proposes several ideas that catch California's attention, although they are rather idiotic.
Robert California brings his wife into the office for a job, and tells Andy behind her back not to give her one which turns disastrous. Meanwhile, Dwight opens a gym in the building and tries to get Darryl to join it.
Andy attempts to make everyone's Christmas wishes come true, including those of a drunken Erin. Meanwhile, Dwight and Jim are entangled in an escalating prank war wherein one attempts to frame the other.
After Robert decides to sell his mansion following his divorce, Kevin suggests that he have an office pool party. Erin tries to make Andy jealous by flirting with Dwight. Meanwhile, Robert gives everyone a tour of his massive home.
Jim returns from jury duty, only to have to deal with Dwight's pesky questions about the details of the case. Elsewhere, Angela and her senator beau welcome their baby.
Dwight scores a special assignment at Sabre's Florida headquarters. As a result, he and Andy must decide which Scranton staffers will join him. Elsewhere, Pam returns from maternity leave.
Dwight arrives in Tallahassee with his team and sets out to win over the president of Sabre's special projects. Back in Scranton, Andy fills in for reception and enjoys himself.
A power play unfolds in Tallahassee when Dwight and Todd Packer compete to become Nellie's vice president. Meanwhile, Jim receives an unwelcome visitor, and Andy forces the Scranton staffers to work late.
The Florida contingent puts the final touches on the new Sabre store, with Dwight preparing a theatrical presentation in his continuing bid to impress Nellie. Back in Scranton, a red-faced Andy arrives at work with a humiliating injury.
Andy makes a game-changing decision and takes a road-trip odyssey in the name of romance. Elsewhere, Nellie arrives at the Scranton branch and sets out to seize the manager position.
Robert California forces the office to throw a welcome party for Nellie, but the Party Planning Committee works on ways to sabotage it. Meanwhile, Erin tries to help Andy figure out a way to break up with Jessica.
Unemployed Andy crashes a fundraiser for the Senator and winds up adopting twelve disabled dogs. Dwight discovers that winning an auction means losing money, and Darryl teaches Nellie how to eat a taco.
Andy takes a break from flambéing cherries and composing rock operas to jumpstart his Dunder Mifflin comeback. When Robert drunkenly shuts down a nearby branch, Jim and Dwight join forces to outsmart a salesman from Scranton’s uglier sister city.
Dwight offers free family portraits, and a stolen diaper leads to a high-speed car chase. With help from David Wallace, Andy goes undercover to try to get his job back. A new business opportunity arises for Robert California.