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GNC

Vitamin and nutritional products stores

In 1935 David Shakarian started a health-food store in Pittsburgh called Lackzoom. It specialized in yogurt (which his father had helped introduce to the United States), but also carried health-food products such as honey and grains. Beginning with $35 in receipts his first day, Shakarian expanded to six Pittsburgh-area stores in five years.

As more people became interested in natural foods and better nutrition, Shakarian opened stores in other states and changed the company's name to General Nutrition Centers (GNC). GNC also began producing its own vitamin and mineral supplements, foods, drinks and cosmetics. It started franchising in 1988.

With company and franchised stores throughout the United States and worldwide, GNC now focuses on vitamins and nutritional supplements.The 'GNC Live Well' store format offers a full line of supplements plus aromatherapy, bath and spa products.

Please Note: The operators of GNC, may not have verified the accuracy of the Franchise information contained within this website. For accurate up-to-date information, customers are strongly recommended to visit the official GNC website.

Start-up Costs & Franchises Fees

How much does it cost to open a GNC Franchises?

Total Investment: $165,000-$205,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000-$40,000
Royalty Fee: 6%
Advertising Fee: N/A
Term of Agreement: 10 years
Renewal Fee: Current franchise fee

How to contact GNC

GNC News

Time To Trade In Your 'Clunker' Career For A Franchise Opportunity With Gnc?
With unemployment at 10.2% and growing, the economic climate for many hard-working Americans is challenging, to say the least. Despite economic hard times, however, the supplement and self-care industry -- a $21 billion industry -- continues to grow at a rate of 4%-6% each year, according to GNC, th... more

Gnc And The Forzani Group Team Up
The Forzani Group Ltd. and General Nutrition Centres Company ("GNC") today announced a partnership that will put GNC performance nutrition boutiques within FGL stores. The first pilot market will be in Calgary, Alberta this fall. "This is the result of discussions which began in 2008 ... more

Everything Is On Sale, Even Franchises
Retail workers need a pick me up these days after brutal holiday sales, rising unemployment and bleak expectations for 2009. One chain is offering its own spoonful of medicine, in a way. GNC, which sells vitamins and supplements at more than 6,200 stores (often with buy one, get one 50 percent o... more

Designer Whey Muscles Up In Gnc Franchise Show In Las Vegas With Debut Of New Designer Protein Blitz� Drinks And Designer Whey Lite & Lean Product Line
DESIGNER WHEY, the innovative protein powerhouse, is excited to announce that the company is working with General Nutritional Centers (GNC) to aggressively increase domestic distribution of its great tasting and healthy whey-based protein products. DESIGNER WHEY products are sold in more than 2500 G... more

Gnc Celebrates Opening Of 1,000th International Franchise Store
Today GNC celebrates the opening of its 1,000th international franchise store in Sofia, Bulgaria - marking yet another milestone for the company's international franchising division this year. In February, Entrepreneur magazine named GNC Franchising, Inc. the world's #1 franchise in the vit... more

View all GNC Press Releases

Franchise History

When did the first GNC open? 1935
When did GNC start Franchising? 1988

Year	U.S.A.	Canada	International	Corporate
2005	1314	0	737	3657
2004	1324	7	692	2649
2003	1402	7	566	2531
2002	1365	7	520	2789
2001	1368	2	311	2817

Expansion Plans

International:

Financing Options

Expense	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	Yes	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Other Financing Source(s): Signage & leasehold improvements

Training & Support

Support
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising

Business Operations

International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Related Franchise Categories

• Vitamins & Supplements Franchise Opportunities
• Franchises $100K to $250K

Listing Tags

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Legal Disclaimer: This information is not a franchise offering for GNC and should not be construed as such. TheFranchiseMall.com makes every effort to maintain accurate franchise data but does not guarantee nor assume liability for incorrect data. We recommend that anyone seriously interested in pursuing a GNC franchise opportunity, review that franchise's Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) with an attorney and accountant.