GNC
GNC franchises operate retail health, wellness, and performance stores that sell vitamins, mineral supplements (including GNC-branded products), sports nutrition, herbs, health foods, beauty products, diet aids, fitness items, and related health-management products under the GNC brand and system. Franchisees follow standardized store designs, operating procedures, and merchandising to serve customers through physical stores and potentially omni-channel strategies. The target market includes health-conscious consumers seeking supplements and wellness products.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
6% royalty + 3% national advertising + $342-$383/mo technology/network fees (incl. $233 network, $75-$100 tech maintenance, $16 CC processing, $18 Wi-Fi, optional $16 cellular)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data based on 675 franchised GNC Stores that operated continuously from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, and were open for business to the public within the United States for at least one year during a one-year measuring period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How GNC Compares to Other Specialty Retail Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GNC Current | N/A | $20K | 6.0% | 703 |
| MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | $48K - $260K | N/A | N/A | 797 |
| CORNWELL | $80K - $324K | N/A | N/A | 793 |
| BATTERIES PLUS | $263K - $497K | $45K | 5.0% | 604 |
| PET SUPPLIES PLUS | $537K - $2.0M | $50K | 3.0% | 502 |
| WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | $227K - $379K | $40K | 4.0% | 340 |
Specialty Retail Average 46 franchises | $285K - $708K | $38K | 5.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 46 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+27 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for GNC franchisees (2018 - 2023)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Arbitrations with international franchisees over alleged breaches of distribution and franchise agreements, wrongful terminations, and unauthorized store conversions to competing brands.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Predecessor General Nutrition Corporation and 16 affiliates filed Chapter 11 on June 23, 2020; assets sold to parent on October 7, 2020, plan effective October 30, 2020. GNC Ireland subsidiaries entered liquidation proceedings July 10, 2024. Key officers (COO, CFO) served in leadership at Conn’s, Inc. (unaffiliated) during its Chapter 11 filing July 23, 2024.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much revenue does a GNC franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a GNC franchise is $475,924.53. The median revenue is $443,685.41.
How many GNC franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, GNC has 703 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1987.
Can you get an SBA loan for a GNC franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for GNC franchises. Historical data shows 14 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for GNC franchisees, with an average loan amount of $158,657. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is GNC a good franchise to buy?
GNC shows several positive indicators: established brand with 703+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in GNC?
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