- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$150K - $389K
- Units as of 2019
-
6,019 10% over 3 years
Company Overview
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. They started franchising in 1988. With company and franchised stores throughout the U.S. and worldwide, GNC now focuses on vitamins and nutritional supplements.
About GNC Franchising
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Related Categories | Vitamin Stores, Miscellaneous Health Products |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Parent Company | General Nutrition Inc. |
| Leadership | Ken Martindale, CEO |
| Corporate Address |
300 6th Ave., 4th Fl. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
| Social | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1988 (36 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 600 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: |
| # of Units | 6,019 (as of 2019) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a GNC Franchising franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$40,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$149,722 - $388,630 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$330,000 - $1,000,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$130,000 - $1,000,000 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
50% off first-store franchise fee |
|
Royalty Fee
|
6% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
3% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| In-House Financing | GNC Franchising offers in-house financing to cover the following: accounts receivable |
|---|---|
| Third Party Financing | GNC Franchising has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, payroll |
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 80 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 40 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
| # of employees required to run | 3-4 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where GNC Franchising landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to GNC Franchising.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
International Franchise Association Pushes Back on Franchise Regulation
The IFA has formally called on the Federal Trade Commission to shift its focus away from increased regulation of the franchise business model, arguing that the commission's recent actions exceed its authority.
The Customer Is Always Worth Listening to, But Proving You're Right Can Backfire
When approaching a customer who may be mistaken, sensitivity is critical — and the language we choose is vital.
Having Trouble Sleeping? Listen to Some 'Kentucky Fried Chicken Rain' ASMR.
This collaboration introduces soundscapes on Hatch devices that feature gentle "fried chicken rain sounds" meant to evoke the soothing sound of fried chicken sizzling in oil.
Taco Bell's New Decades Menu Brings Back Nostalgic Discontinued Menu Items — Here's What's Making a Comeback
The Decades Menu comes at a time when retro branding and nostalgia marketing are on the rise, especially among brands with devoted customer bases.
The McRib Is Back, But Only at Select McDonald's — Here's Where to Find It
This scarcity is nothing new. In 2022, McDonald's announced a "Farewell Tour" for the McRib, suggesting that it might be the last time customers could get their hands on it.
ComForCare Franchises Make a Profound Difference in the Lives of Older Adults
With the demand for senior care rapidly expanding, a ComForCare franchise offers a rewarding opportunity to enhance the quality of life of seniors in your community.
