GNC Holdings, LLC
FormerlyGNC Holdings, Inc.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryHealth and wellness stores
Founded1935 (1935)
FounderDavid Shakarian
HeadquartersStrip District,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
United States
Number of locations
2,281 U.S. stores (2022)
ProductsNutritional supplements
ParentHarbin Pharmaceutical Group (2020–present)
Websitegnc.com
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3][4]

GNC Holdings, LLC (abbreviated GNC; alternatively General Nutrition Centers) is a retail company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5][6] It specializes in health and nutrition related products, including vitamins, supplements, minerals, herbs, sports nutrition, diet, and energy products.

In 2020, Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer,[7][8][9] acquired the company.[10][11]

History

In 1935, David Shakarian, an Armenian-American, opened a small health food store, Lackzoom, in downtown Pittsburgh. He made US$35 on his first day[12] and was able to open a second store within six months. A year later, Shakarian suffered from what appeared to be a fatal blow when the Ohio River flooded into downtown on St. Patrick's Day. Both of his stores were wiped out. But he opened a new store the next year and later began a mail-order business, shipping health foods and later vitamins and prescription drugs throughout the country.[13] Major expansion began in the 1960s. Shakarian said the physical fitness movement, anxiety about smoking and the growth shopping centers brought success to his business venture.[14]

In the 1960s, the company changed the name of its stores to General Nutrition Centers.[15] Shakarian stepped down as chief executive officer in February 1984 but continued as chairman until his death later that year.[14]

Shakarian took GNC public (listed on the NYSE) in the 1980s. Gary Daum was named chief executive office in February 1984. In May 1985, Jerry Horn took on the role.[16] GNC was taken private and sold to Thomas H. Lee Partners a PE investment/management fund in the late 1980s. Thomas Lee ran GNC and took it public prior to selling the company to Royal Dutch Numico and Numico acquired GNC in 1999;[17] it sold GNC to Apollo Management in 2003.[18] Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Ares Management bought GNC in 2007.[19] GNC went public in 2011.[20]

GNC HQ at 3 Crossings 75 Hopper Place
GNC’s new global headquarters

In 1990, the company considered relocating but a public/private effort retained GNC headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh.[6]

An empty and closed GNC store in June 2020

In 2018, the Chinese state-owned Harbin Pharmaceutical Group agreed to acquire an approximately 40% stake in GNC.[21] In September 2020, Senator Marco Rubio asked the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to examine the proposed acquisition on data protection and national security grounds.[22]

In November 2018, the company announced they would be closing up to 900 stores over 3 years. In July 2019, it was announced that they planned to close up to 1,400 company owned retail locations, primarily those located within shopping malls.[23]

In June 2020, GNC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and indicated plans to close at least 800 stores.[24] Effective on June 30, 2020, the stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and shifted to the OTC Markets Group.[25] In September 2020, the bankruptcy court in Delaware approved the sale of GNC for $770 million to Harbin Pharmaceutical Group.[26]

The company emerged from the Chapter 11 process under the new ownership of Harbin Pharmaceutical Group in October 2020.[27] In 2021, GNC revealed that Josh Burris will take over as CEO and Cam Lawrence as CFO.[28]

In 2021, GNC announced a partnership with Walmart for a selection of GNC specific products.[29]

Retail and Online Stores

A GNC store at The Promenade Shopping Centre, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

GNC stores typically stock a wide range of weight loss, bodybuilding, nutritional supplements, vitamins, natural remedies, and health and beauty products, in both its owned brands as well as third-party brands. Its products are also sold on GNC.com and, as of January 2017, on GNC's Amazon Marketplace.[30]

On December 31, 2018, GNC had approximately 8,400 locations, of which approximately 6,200 were in the United States (including approximately 2,200 Rite Aid licensed store-within-a-store locations), as well as franchise operations in approximately 50 countries.[31]

Of GNC's approximately 4,100 U.S. locations in 2019, 61% were in strip malls and 28% were in larger malls.[32]

In July 2023, the company announced it would begin making deliveries in select markets via drone.[33]

GNC health

GNC health was created in 2023, and provides different health options to members such as, virtual appointments and medications.[34][35]

National & Foreign Stores

The company offers consumer products and services via retail locations, like their own stores, franchises, online, digital commerce and wholesales and retail partnerships.[36] They have over 17,500 employees working in their stores and sell lots of different things from over 325 brands, with more than 7,500 things available in their stores and on their website.[37] With more than 4,000 stores all over America[38] and in other countries, GNC has become a popular destination for people looking to improve their health through supplements and other nutritional products. While GNC may offer a wide range of products that can be beneficial for some people, the company has been accused of selling products containing harmful compounds. Also, the supplement industry is largely unregulated, which means that the claims made by companies like GNC may not be backed up by solid scientific evidence. Operating in the health and wellness industry, GNC brand has over 2,000 operations. GNC4U offers a program that allows customers to receive a monthly supply of personalized vitamins and supplements.

Franchising

In 1988, GNC began offering franchising opportunities.[39] They sell various third-party brands such as Glaxon Electro Creatine.[40] GNC also offers exclusive energy formula powders and G Fuel energy drinks that are available for purchase both online at GNC.com and at GNC stores across the country.[41][42] The company offers a turnkey business model that includes training, marketing support, and access to GNC's proprietary products. However, franchisees are required to pay an initial franchise fee, ongoing royalties, and adhere to certain operational standards. there are also some potential drawbacks to franchising with GNC. Franchisees are required to follow GNC's operational standards, which can limit their ability to innovate and differentiate themselves from other GNC locations. Additionally, ongoing royalties can eat into profit margins, and franchisees may be subject to additional fees for marketing and advertising support.

Science

Beyond Raw

GNC is a company that offers creatine supplements in both pill and powder forms through its GNC AMP® and Beyond Raw® Chemistry Labs product lines. Their products have been scientifically supported and clinically tested, such as the GNC AMP® Creatine HCl 189™.[43] In collaboration with The Hershey Company, products like Beyond Raw® LIT™ JOLLY RANCHER Grape pre-workout powder and on the-go have been produced which come in flavours like watermelon, green apple, and blue raspberry. Each pre-workout supplement contains clinically dosed ingredients, such as L-Citrulline, CarnoSyn betaalanine, micronized creatine, caffeine, and Nitrosigine. Other supplements like Burn MF Metabolic Activator Powder, Capsules, Sticks, and Drink belong to the Beyond Raw brand. Additionally, the text mentions that a new flavor, JOLLY RANCHER Grape, has been launched after the release of another supplement called Beyond Raw Concept X in May 2022.[44][45][46] However, in a settlement with the Department of Justice, GNC, the largest retailer of supplements in the country, has agreed to pay $2.25 million. This settlement comes as part of a larger effort by the federal government to crack down on supplements that contain undisclosed drug ingredients, harmful compounds, or inaccurate ingredient labeling. As part of the settlement, GNC has committed to improving its product screening process and removing any supplements containing illegal or unsafe ingredients. In addition, the company will maintain a list of products that have been deemed safe for sale.[47]

Internal R&D Department

In recent years, GNC has faced challenges due to changing consumer preferences and increased competition in the health and wellness market. The company has responded by rebranding itself and focusing on digital sales and marketing. GNC collaborates with healthcare professionals, academic institutions and researchers worldwide to investigate various technologies, botanical extracts, and nutrients. They have a team of quality and research scientists Franchising Science Beyond Raw Internal R&D Department who conduct tests on nutritional ingredients sourced from different parts of the world. Additionally, GNC implements a "Truth in Labeling Policy," where their scientists, nutritionists and quality assurance professionals independently validate all the information stated on their product labels.[48]

Live Well Foundation (Philanthropy)

In 2022, GNC Live Well Foundation partnered with Filmrise and director Nate Boyer to support his first film "MVP," while also holding a fundraising campaign for Boyer's nonprofit organization, Merging Vets & Players. The GNC Live Well Foundation is also the national sponsor for the film throughout the 2022-23 NFL season.[49] With a stated mission to encourage and assist people in living well, the company has donated over $1 million to MVP in December 2020. This nonprofit organization was founded by Jay Glazer and Nate Boyer in 2015 in order to address the challenges that military veterans and retired athletes face when transitioning to civilian life.[50][51] Starting from December 2020, the company has made a donation that exceeds $1 million to Merging Vets and Players (MVP). Jay Glazer, a Fox Sports NFL Insider, and Nate Boyer, a former green beret and Seattle Seahawk, established MVP in 2015. The goal of the non-profit organization is to tackle the difficulties that combat veterans and former professional athletes encounter as they transition to civilian life after leaving their respective professions.[52] While the foundation aims to improve public health through its various initiatives, its association with GNC raises questions about its independence and the authenticity of its objectives.

Critics argue that the foundation is a mere marketing tool used by GNC to promote its products and brand. This association could be seen as a strategy to attract customers who are looking for socially responsible businesses. Furthermore, some critics question the foundation's actual impact on public health. While the foundation claims to support research, education, and community programs that promote healthy living, there is little information about the specific initiatives it has supported or their impact. This lack of transparency raises concerns about the effectiveness and legitimacy of the foundation's activities. GNC has faced several lawsuits related to false or misleading claims about the efficacy of its products. The foundation's association with GNC raises questions about whether its initiatives are influenced by the company's profit motives rather than genuine concern for public health.

Lawsuits

In 1998, GNC was accused of purposely running its franchisees out of business in order to "retake" the stores into corporate control.[53] An April 30, 2003, article states that the GNC corporate company was sued by numerous franchise owners.[54] The complaint is that the parent company was allowing their corporate owned stores to sell products for less than the franchise stores are allowed to sell them for. The suit also claimed that GNC charged high "reset fees" to franchisees when there is new signage that needs to be changed in the store or an image facelift that must be done by GNC corporate.[55] A similar lawsuit was filed again in an article written on October 20, 2004.[56]

In February 2015, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent cease and desist letters to GNC and other major retailers due to concerning laboratory tests regarding the accuracy of the claimed contents of supplements.[57][58] GNC shortly afterwards removed some stock from sales while working with the Attorney General.[59][60] In September 2016, GNC, the New York Office of the Attorney General, and other supplement retailers ultimately came to an agreement and retailers are now accomplishing more robust testing of supplements to ensure accurate labeling.[61][62]

In October 2015, the Attorney General of Oregon filed a lawsuit against GNC alleging that the company knowingly sold products containing the ingredients picamilon and BMPEA, which are banned by the FDA.[63][64][65]

On February 2, 2017, GNC threatened to sue the Fox Broadcasting Company for "significant economic and reputational damages, lost opportunities, and consequential damages", after an advertisement for the chain was blocked from airing during Super Bowl LI. Despite repeated approvals by Fox, the network stated that the ad had been vetoed by the National Football League because of GNC's placement on an NFLPA blacklist for selling products that contain substances banned by the NFL. The letter of intent claimed that Fox had not informed them of any such rules when they purchased the ad time, and cited that the purchase induced them to "spend millions of dollars in production costs and in the development of a national, coordinated marketing and rebranding campaign" around the commercial. The NFL itself does not prohibit ads for health stores unless they contain references to specific prohibited products; the GNC ad only contained motivational themes and no references to its products.[66][67][68]

References

  1. ↑ "GNC Completes sale to Chinese Harbin Pharmaceutical 2020". June 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ Doughty, Nate. "GNC appoints new CEO, CFO following last year's restructuring and sale to Harbin Pharmaceutical Group". Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  3. ↑ "US SEC: Form 10-K GNC Holdings Inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Kenneth A. Martindale: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  5. ↑ Schooley, Tim (June 3, 2022). "GNC celebrates opening of new headquarters office at 75 Hopper Place in the Strip District". Wpxi.
  6. 1 2 Daparma, Ron (April 17, 2003), "Robinson to retire as RIDC president", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh, PA
  7. ↑ "Harbin Pharmaceutical to issue RMB 800 mln short-term bonds". news.alibaba.com. November 10, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  8. ↑ Ferek, Katy Stech (September 10, 2020). "Rubio Seeks Security Review of Chinese Bid for GNC". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  9. ↑ Stevenson, Alexandra; Kulish, Nicholas; Gelles, David (April 24, 2020). "Frantic for Coronavirus Gear, Americans in Need Turn to China's Elite". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  10. ↑ "GNC Taps 5WPR For Consumer Business". www.provokemedia.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "GNC, China's Harbin Pharmaceutical agree on sale price before auction". New Hope Network. August 10, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "G.n.c. Expanding at a Robust Pace by Moving to Malls". The New York Times. November 2, 1981. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Founder of GNC chain dies - UPI Archives". Upi.com. September 11, 1984. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Founder Of Food Chain Dies - The New York Times". The New York Times. September 13, 1984. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  15. ↑ "#284 GNC". Forbes.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  16. ↑ Todd S. Purdum (May 15, 1985). "Business People; Chief Is Replaced By General Nutrition - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Fire sale leaves GNC as Dutch parent's lone U.S. unit". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  18. ↑ JOURNAL, Robin SidelStaff Reporter of THE WALL STREET (October 17, 2003). "Apollo Management Agrees To Buy General Nutrition". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  19. ↑ Kaplan, Thomas (December 7, 2010). "Three Years After Private Equity Boom, an Exit Strategy". DealBook. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  20. ↑ Rovell, Darren (December 28, 2011). "GNC is IPO Star Of 2011". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  21. ↑ Kate Wu (February 13, 2018). "China's Harbin Pharma to buy stake in U.S. health retailer GNC". Reuters. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ↑ Bartz, Diane (September 10, 2020). "U.S. senator asks for CFIUS review of GNC purchase by Chinese company". Reuters. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  23. ↑ "GNC plans to close up to 900 stores with a focus on mall locations". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  24. ↑ "GNC Holdings Inc. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection - Pittsburgh Business Times". June 24, 2020.
  25. ↑ Twedt, Steve (June 30, 2020). "NYSE to begin process of delisting GNC shares". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  26. ↑ Doherty, Katherine (September 17, 2020). "GNC Wins Bankruptcy Court Approval for Sale to Chinese Sponsor". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Court approves GNC bankruptcy plan". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  28. ↑ Wilson, Marianne (February 11, 2021). "GNC names new CEO". Chain Store Age. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  29. ↑ "GNC, Walmart in 'exclusive' tie-up in stores and online". Retail Dive. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  30. ↑ Garcia, Tonya (April 19, 2017). "GNC credits Amazon marketplace, fewer promotions for improved earnings". MarketWatch. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  31. ↑ "GNC forms strategic partnership with International Vitamin Corporation (IVC) | GNC Holdings, Inc". Gnc.gcs-web.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  32. ↑ "GNC store closings: Up to 900 could close with focus on mall stores". Usatoday.com. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  33. ↑ "GNC Piloting Drone Delivery Service in Select U.S. Markets". RIS News. June 28, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  34. ↑ "GNC Health expands virtual health service with three membership plans". MobiHealthNews. October 23, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  35. ↑ Vaidya, Anuja (October 23, 2023). "GNC Launches Telehealth Prescription Medication Services". Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  36. ↑ www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2003/04/28/daily32.html%20(https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2003/04/28/daily32.html. Retrieved March 29, 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ↑ www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/pitts%20burgh/stories/2004/10/18/daily15.html?q=gnc%20franchasing%20complaints. Retrieved March 29, 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ↑ "A.G. Schneiderman Asks Major Retailers To Halt Sales Of Certain Herbal Supplements As DNA Tests Fail To Detect Plant Materials Listed On Majority Of Products Tested | New York State Attorney General". ag.ny.gov. February 3, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  39. ↑ "NICE refutes claims of pharma influence on CVD risk guidelines". PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News. 699 (1): 2. March 2014. doi:10.1007/s40274-014-1122-6. ISSN 1173-5503. S2CID 195283935.
  40. ↑ "NBTY Signs Agreement with New York Attorney General Regarding DNA Testing of Herbs NY AG finds no evidence for non-compliance with cGMPs - American Botanical Council". www.herbalgram.org. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  41. ↑ Parveen, Iffat; Gafner, Stefan; Techen, Natascha; Murch, Susan J.; Khan, Ikhlas A. (September 2016). "DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Botanicals in Herbal Medicine and Dietary Supplements: Strengths and Limitations". Planta Medica. 82 (14): 1225–1235. doi:10.1055/s-0042-111208. ISSN 1439-0221. PMID 27392246. S2CID 1528789.
  42. ↑ GNC. "GNC Fuels More Gamers with Debut of Exclusive Products from G FUEL, The Official Energy Drink of Esports®". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  43. ↑ Aguillard, Anna. "Oregon's crackdown on GNC part of nation-wide crackdown on dietary supplement industry". Legal Newsline. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  44. ↑ Young, Alison. "Oregon AG accuses retailer GNC of selling drug-spiked dietary supplements". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  45. ↑ Ng, Sara Germano and Serena (October 22, 2015). "Oregon Sues GNC, Alleging Supplements Contained Illegal Ingredients". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  46. ↑ "GNC wants Oregon lawsuit on spiked products moved to federal court". Reuters. October 24, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  47. ↑ Affairs, Office of Regulatory (July 8, 2019). "December 7, 2016: GNC Enters Into Agreement with Department of Justice to Improve Its Practices and Keep Potentially Illegal Dietary Supplements Out of the Marketplace". FDA.
  48. ↑ Schrotenboer, Brent. "GNC's Super Bowl ad controversy escalates". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  49. ↑ Bruell, Alexandra (January 31, 2017). "GNC's Super Bowl Ad Rejected by NFL". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Watch the GNC ad the NFL rejected from Super Bowl". USA TODAY Ad Meter. January 31, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  51. ↑ "Watch the GNC ad the NFL rejected from Super Bowl". 13newsnow.com. January 31, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Mission". MVP | Merging Vets & Players. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  53. ↑ Hays, Constance L. (August 22, 2001). "Franchisees On Edge; Some Angry Ones Sue As GNC Competes". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  54. ↑ "Franchisees sue GNC in New Jersey - Pittsburgh Business Times". Bizjournals.com. April 30, 2003. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  55. ↑ www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2003/04/28/daily32.html. Retrieved July 20, 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  56. ↑ "GNC franchisees file lawsuit - Pittsburgh Business Times". Bizjournals.com. October 20, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  57. ↑ "A.G. Schneiderman Asks Major Retailers To Halt Sales Of Certain Herbal Supplements As DNA Tests Fail To Detect Plant Materials Listed On Majority Of Products Tested". ag.ny.gov. February 3, 2015. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  58. ↑ O'Connor, Anahad (September 28, 2016). "New York Attorney General Targets Supplements at Major Retailers". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  59. ↑ "GNC Stands Behind the Quality of Its Products and Agrees to Temporarily Remove a Small Number of Products While Working with New York State Attorney General's Office". GNC Holdings, Inc. February 4, 2015. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  60. ↑ "GNC Refutes New York State Attorney General's Claims in Full and Robust Response". GNC Holdings, Inc. February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  61. ↑ "A.G. Schneiderman Announces Major Nationwide Agreement With NBTY, Herbal Supplement Maker for Walgreens And Walmart". ag.ny.gov. September 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  62. ↑ Parveen, Iffat; Gafner, Stefan; Techen, Natascha; Murch, Susan J.; Khan, Ikhlas A. (September 2016). "DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Botanicals in Herbal Medicine and Dietary Supplements: Strengths and Limitations". Planta Medica. 82 (14): 1225–1235. doi:10.1055/s-0042-111208. ISSN 1439-0221. PMID 27392246.
  63. ↑ Aguillard, Anna (November 30, 2015). "Oregon's crackdown on GNC part of nation-wide crackdown on dietary supplement industry". Legal News Line. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  64. ↑ Young, Alison (October 23, 2015). "Oregon AG accuses retailer GNC of selling drug-spiked dietary supplements". USA Today. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  65. ↑ Germano, Sara; NG, Serena (October 22, 2015). "Oregon Sues GNC, Alleging Supplements Contained Illegal Ingredients". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  66. ↑ "GNC's Super Bowl ad controversy escalates". USA Today. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  67. ↑ Bruell, Alexandra (January 31, 2017). "GNC's Super Bowl Ad Rejected by NFL". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  68. ↑ "Watch the GNC ad the NFL rejected from Super Bowl". USA Today. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
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