Business Description

GNC is the leading specialty retailer of vitamins, minerals, herbs and sports nutrition supplements and is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the accelerating self-care trend. As the leading provider of products and information for personal health enhancement, the company holds the largest specialty-retail share of the nutritional supplement market. GNC was ranked America's #1 retail franchise for 17 consecutive years.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1935

Franchising Since:  1988

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	2,034	35.2%
Company-Owned Units:	3,747	64.8%
Total Operating Units:	5,781	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 3,747 64.8% In 50 States Canada: 1 21% In 0 Canadian Provinces International: 822 14.2% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 5,781 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	0
2. Florida	0
3. Texas	0

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia, Alberta

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$100K
Cash Investment:	$65K
Total Investment:	$133-182K
Average Total Investment:	$157K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$40K
Average Franchise Fee:	$40K
On-Going Royalty:	6%
Average Royalty:	6%
Advertising Fee:	3%

Average Number of Employees: 1 Full-time, 3-5 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,402 (avg.)

Preferred Sites: Storefront, Strip Center, Regional Mall

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? No

Earnings Claims Provided?: Yes

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	5
General Business Experience:	5
Specific Industry Experience:	1
Formal Education:	1
Psychological Profile:	1
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10/5/5 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Not Allowed
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 0 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	No
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	600
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Direct
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Included in Fees
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
Field Operation Evaluation:	Not Applicable
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. On-Site in Local Corporate Store	1 Week
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All CAN Exc. PQ Overseas: Yes, All Countries	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from General Nutrition Centers.