10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark one)

[ X ]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
[     ]	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number:  001-35113

GNC Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	20-8536244
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
300 Sixth Avenue	15222
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (412) 288-4600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     [ X ] Yes [    ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

[ X  ] Yes [    ] No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [   ] Non-accelerated filer [   ] Smaller reporting company [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). [      ] Yes

[ X ] No

As of October 24, 2014, there were 88,862,489 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “common stock”), of GNC Holdings, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		PAGE
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013	1
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	2
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	3
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	4
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	5
	Summarized Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	31
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	33
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	34
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	34
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	34
Item 5.	Other Information	34
Item 6.	Exhibits	34
Signatures		35

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, including share data)

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Current assets:	(unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,243		$	226,217
Receivables, net	139,719			144,833
Inventories (Note 3)	592,793			547,916
Prepaids and other current assets	37,909			47,081
Total current assets	918,664			966,047
Long-term assets:
Goodwill (Note 4)	673,583			666,346
Brands (Note 4)	720,000			720,000
Other intangible assets, net (Note 4)	135,904			142,774
Property, plant and equipment, net	230,817			206,754
Other long-term assets	42,015			38,426
Total long-term assets	1,802,319			1,774,300
Total assets	$	2,720,983		$	2,740,347
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	147,805		$	135,164
Current portion, long-term debt (Note 5)	4,793			5,443
Deferred revenue and other current liabilities	113,078			106,459
Total current liabilities	265,676			247,066
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt (Note 5)	1,338,605			1,341,656
Deferred tax liabilities, net	285,447			282,377
Other long-term liabilities	60,510			53,669
Total long-term liabilities	1,684,562			1,677,702
Total liabilities	1,950,238			1,924,768
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized:
Class A, 113,912 shares issued and 89,587 shares outstanding and 24,325 shares held in treasury at September 30, 2014 and 112,961 shares issued and 93,989 shares outstanding and 18,972 shares held in treasury at December 31, 2013	113			112
Paid-in-capital	875,721			847,886
Retained earnings	860,818			700,108
Treasury stock, at cost	(964,827		)	(734,482		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,080		)	1,955
Total stockholders’ equity	770,745			815,579
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,720,983		$	2,740,347

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

1

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenue	$	656,326		$	674,501		$	2,005,999		$	2,015,226
Cost of sales, including cost of warehousing,
distribution and occupancy	408,578			421,311			1,245,953			1,250,191
Gross profit	247,748			253,190			760,046			765,035
Compensation and related benefits	82,331			79,283			245,896			239,932
Advertising and promotion	20,319			16,751			59,408			53,473
Other selling, general and administrative	32,814			31,798			105,615			98,182
Management realignment (Note 2)	7,473			—			7,473			—
International franchise receivable reserve (Note 2)	4,446			163			4,446			363
Reversal of contingent purchase price (Note 2)	(4,313		)	—			(4,313		)	—
Other (income) expense, net (Note 2)	(4,047		)	(779		)	(9,510		)	(1,080		)
Operating income	108,725			125,974			351,031			374,165
Interest expense, net (Note 5)	11,781			11,237			34,987			33,353
Income before income taxes	96,944			114,737			316,044			340,812
Income tax expense (Note 10)	32,630			41,704			111,940			123,448
Net income	$	64,314		$	73,033		$	204,104		$	217,364
Income per share - Basic and Diluted:
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.72		$	0.77		$	2.24		$	2.24
Diluted	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	2.23		$	2.22
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	89,814			95,183			91,056			97,189
Diluted	90,233			96,078			91,635			98,096
Dividends declared per share:	$	0.16		$	0.15		$	0.48		$	0.45

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

2

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

	Three months ended   September 30,					Nine months ended   September 30,
	2014			2013		2014			2013
Net income	$	64,314		$	73,033	$	204,104		$	217,364
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,851		)	428		(3,035		)	(878		)
Comprehensive income	$	60,463		$	73,461	$	201,069		$	216,486

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

(in thousands, including per share data)

	Common Stock Class A				Treasury Stock			Paid-in- Capital		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares		Dollars
Balance at December 31, 2013	93,989		$	112	$	(734,482	)	$	847,886	$	700,108		$	1,955		$	815,579
Comprehensive income	—		—		—			—		204,104			(3,035		)	201,069
Repurchase of treasury stock	(5,326	)	—		(230,345		)	—		—			—			(230,345		)
Common stock dividends	—		—		—			—		(43,394		)	—			(43,394		)
Conversions to common stock	924		1		—			22,690		—			—			22,691
Non-cash stock-based compensation	—		—		—			5,145		—			—			5,145
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	89,587		$	113	$	(964,827	)	$	875,721	$	860,818		$	(1,080	)	$	770,745
Balance at December 31, 2012	99,244		$	111	$	(423,900	)	$	810,094	$	492,687		$	3,047		$	882,039
Comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—			—		217,364			(878		)	216,486
Repurchase of treasury stock	(5,328	)	—		(238,406		)	—		—			—			(238,406		)
Common stock dividends	—		—		—			—		(43,344		)	—			(43,344		)
Conversions to common stock	959		1		—			21,244		—			—			21,245
Non-cash stock-based compensation	—		—		—			5,861		—			—			5,861
Balance at September 30, 2013 (unaudited)	94,875		$	112	$	(662,306	)	$	837,199	$	666,707		$	2,169		$	843,881

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

4

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	204,104		$	217,364
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	41,418			37,922
Amortization of debt costs	1,343			1,887
Increase in provision for inventory losses	16,129			13,315
Gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees	(9,662		)	(946		)
International franchise receivable reserve adjustment	4,446			363
Reversal of contingent purchase price	(4,313		)	—
Decrease (increase) in receivables	1,288			(23,567		)
Increase in inventory	(62,513		)	(66,304		)
Decrease in prepaids and other current assets	9,898			4,217
Increase in accounts payable	8,863			36,091
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and other current liabilities	8,518			(13,021		)
Other operating activities	18,495			8,827
Net cash provided by operating activities	238,014			216,148
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(55,236		)	(33,631		)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(6,402		)	—
Other investing activities	631			(633		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,007		)	(34,264		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid to shareholders	(43,287		)	(43,309		)
Payments on long-term debt	(4,243		)	(2,850		)
Proceeds from exercised stock options	20,186			10,282
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	2,504			10,963
Repurchase of treasury stock	(230,345		)	(238,406		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(255,185		)	(263,320		)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	204			573
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(77,974		)	(80,863		)
Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents	226,217			158,541
Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents	$	148,243		$	77,678

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 1.  NATURE OF BUSINESS

General Nature of Business.GNC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings,” and collectively with its subsidiaries and, unless the context requires otherwise, its and their respective predecessors, the “Company”), is a global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, which include: vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet products and other wellness products.

The Company is vertically integrated, as its operations consist of purchasing raw materials, formulating and manufacturing products and selling the finished products through its three segments: Retail, Franchising and Manufacturing/Wholesale. Corporate retail store operations are located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Ireland, which began in 2014 with the acquisition of THSD d/b/a The Health Store ("The Health Store"). In addition, the Company offers products domestically through GNC.com, LuckyVitamin Corp. ("Lucky Vitamin"), www.drugstore.com, and internationally in the United Kingdom, which began in 2013 with the acquisition of Discount Supplements, Ltd. (“Discount Supplements”). Franchise stores are located in the United States and over 50 other countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made). The Company operates its primary manufacturing facilities in South Carolina and distribution centers in Arizona, Indiana, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The Company manufactures the majority of its branded products, but also merchandises various third-party products. Additionally, the Company licenses the use of its trademarks and trade names.

The processing, formulation, packaging, labeling and advertising of the Company’s products are subject to regulation by various federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities are also regulated by various agencies of the states and localities in which the Company’s products are sold.

Recent Significant Transactions.In August 2014, the board of directors of Holdings approved a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of Holdings' common stock. This replaces the repurchase program established in November 2013. Holdings repurchased $230.3 million of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and has utilized $40.0 million of the current repurchase program.

In October 2013, the Company acquired Discount Supplements, an online retailer of multi-brand sports nutrition products in the United Kingdom. The aggregate purchase price of Discount Supplements was $33.3 million.

On April 17, 2014, the Company acquired The Health Store, a nine store chain based in Dublin, Ireland. The aggregate purchase price of The Health Store was $8.9 million.

NOTE 2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The year-end consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements in Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes to the application of significant accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates since December 31, 2013.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of a normal and recurring nature) that management considers necessary for a fair statement of financial information for the interim periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation.The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and all of its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has no relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

6

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Some of the most significant estimates pertaining to the Company include the valuation of inventories, the allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes. On a regular basis, management reviews its estimates utilizing currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such reviews and if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management realignment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred $7.5 million of expenses associated with the changes among the executive leadership team. These expenses related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock-based compensation expense net of forfeitures, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

International franchise receivable reserve. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded a $4.4 million reserve against receivables with its international franchisees. An allowance for international franchisees is calculated based on unpaid, non-collateralized amounts associated with their receivable balance. The collectability of receivables from certain international franchisees has become uncertain due principally to the current financial condition of our franchisees.

Reversal of contingent purchase price. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reversed $4.3 million of contingent purchase price associated with Discount Supplements based on changes in the probability that all required targets of the purchase agreement would be met ("Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price").

Other (Income) Expense, net. Other (income) expense, which includes the gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees and foreign currency (gain) loss, was a gain of $4.0 million and $9.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to a gain of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the same periods in 2013, respectively.

Revision.Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior year periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation. Specifically, the gain resulting from the sale of Company-owned stores is presented in "Other (income) expense, net" on the consolidated statements of income and the related cash proceeds are presented in "Other investing activities" on the consolidated statements of cash flows. These revisions are not material to any of the prior year periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standard ASU 2013-11, regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This standard requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) or tax credit carryforward whenever the NOL or tax credit carryforward would be available to reduce the additional taxable income or tax due if the tax position is disallowed. This accounting standard update requires entities to assess whether to net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset as of the reporting date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-09, which updates revenue recognition guidance relating to contracts with customers. This standard states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-12, which updates guidance on performance stock awards. The update states that for any award that has a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite period, that performance target should still be treated as a performance condition. This

7

standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3.  INVENTORIES

The net carrying value of inventories consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Finished product ready for sale	$	512,887	$	458,366
Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials	72,558		81,575
Packaging supplies	7,348		7,975
Total	$	592,793	$	547,916

NOTE 4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company acquired 22 and 13 franchise stores, respectively. These acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and the Company recorded the acquired inventory, fixed assets, franchise rights and goodwill, with an applicable reduction to receivables and cash. The total purchase price associated with these acquisitions was $3.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of which $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, was paid in cash.

On April 17, 2014, the Company acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of The Health Store, which was accounted for as a business combination. The total purchase price for this acquisition was approximately $8.9 million. Of the purchase price, $6.9 million was allocated to goodwill, $0.8 million to amortizable intangibles, and $0.3 million to working capital.

 The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill activity:

	Retail			Franchising		Manufacturing/ Wholesale		Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	346,202			$	117,303	$	202,841	$	666,346
Acquired franchise stores	1,328			—		—		1,328
Acquisition of The Health Store	6,853			—		—		6,853
Translation effect of exchange rates	(944		)	—		—		(944		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	353,439		$	117,303	$	202,841	$	673,583

Intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following:

	Retail Brand		Franchise Brand		Operating Agreements			Other Intangibles			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	125,665		$	17,109		$	862,774
Acquired franchise stores	—		—		—			635			635
Acquisition of The Health Store	—		—		—			788			788
Amortization expense	—		—		(4,990		)	(3,155		)	(8,145		)
Translation effect of exchange rates	—		—		—			(148		)	(148		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	120,675		$	15,229		$	855,904

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The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major intangible asset: 

	Weighted- Average Life	September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(unaudited)
		(in thousands)
Brands - retail	—	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000
Brands - franchise	—	220,000		—			220,000		220,000		—			220,000
Retail agreements	30.3	31,000		(8,091		)	22,909		31,000		(7,301		)	23,699
Franchise agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Manufacturing agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Other intangibles	8.2	20,904		(6,664		)	14,240		20,327		(3,995		)	16,332
Franchise rights	3.0	6,098		(5,109		)	989		5,463		(4,686		)	777
Total	23.4	$	918,002	$	(62,098	)	$	855,904	$	916,790	$	(54,016	)	$	862,774

The following table represents future estimated amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives at September 30, 2014:

Years ending December 31,	Estimated amortization expense
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
2014	$	2,726
2015	10,668
2016	9,790
2017	7,774
2018	7,670
Thereafter	97,276
Total	$	135,904

NOTE 5.  LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE

Long-term debt consisted of the following: 

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Senior Credit Facility	$	1,343,110		$	1,345,987
Other	288			1,112
Total debt	1,343,398			1,347,099
Less: current maturities	(4,793		)	(5,443		)
Long-term debt	$	1,338,605		$	1,341,656

In 2013, the Company amended and restated its existing $1.4 billion term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) to, among other amendments, increase borrowings by $252.5 million and extend the maturity date of the Term Loan Facility to March 2019. The Company also increased the amount available for borrowing under the $80.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Credit Facility”) to $130.0 million, extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to March 2017, and effected changes in the interest rates applicable to amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, net interest expense was $35.0 million and $33.4 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of interest on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. Interest u

9

nder both the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility is based on variable rates. At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate under the Term Loan Facility was 3.25%. The Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and had outstanding letters of credit of $1.1 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility was 0.5%, and the outstanding letters of credit fee was 2.50%.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that it is in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Credit Facility.

NOTE 6.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments consisted of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, franchise notes receivable, accounts payable, certain accrued liabilities and long-term debt. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their respective fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. Based on the interest rates currently available and their underlying risk, the carrying value of the franchise notes receivable approximates their respective fair values. These fair values are reflected net of reserves for uncollectible amounts. As considerable judgment is required to determine these estimates and assumptions, changes in the assumptions or methodologies may have an effect on these estimates. The Company determined the estimated fair values of its debt by using currently available market information. The fair value measurement for debt is classified as a Level 2 input on the fair value hierarchy, as defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The actual and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,243	$	148,243	$	226,217	$	226,217
Receivables, net	139,719		139,719		144,833		144,833
Franchise notes receivable, net	18,286		18,286		10,163		10,163
Accounts payable	147,805		147,805		135,164		135,164
Long-term debt (including current portion)	1,343,398		1,306,455		1,347,099		1,343,732

NOTE 7.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

The Company is engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including claims related to breach of contracts, products liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters resulting from the Company’s business activities.

The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability.  Currently, none of the Company’s accruals for outstanding legal matters are material individually or in the aggregate to the Company’s financial position. However, if the Company ultimately is required to make a payment in connection with an adverse outcome in any of the matters discussed below, it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties, including for each such contingency the following, among other factors: (i) the procedural status of the case; (ii) whether the case has or may be certified as a class action suit; (iii) the outcome of preliminary motions; (iv) the impact of discovery; (v) whether there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) whether the proceedings involve a large number of parties and/or parties and claims in multiple jurisdictions or jurisdictions in which the relevant laws are complex or unclear;

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(vii) the extent of potential damages, which are often unspecified or indeterminate; and (viii) the status of settlement discussions, if any, and the settlement posture of the parties.  Consequently, except as otherwise noted below with regard to a particular matter, the Company cannot predict with any reasonable certainty the timing or outcome of the legal matters described below, and the Company is unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss.

As a manufacturer and retailer of nutritional supplements and other consumer products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, the Company has been and is currently subjected to various product liability claims. Although the effects of these claims to date have not been material to the Company, it is possible that current and future product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company currently maintains product liability insurance with a deductible/retention of $4.0 million per claim with an aggregate cap on retained loss of $10.0 million. The Company typically seeks and has obtained contractual indemnification from most parties that supply raw materials for its products or that manufacture or market products it sells. The Company also typically seeks to be added, and has been added, as an additional insured under most of such parties’ insurance policies.  The Company is also entitled to indemnification by Numico for certain losses arising from claims related to products containing ephedra or Kava Kava sold prior to December 5, 2003. However, any such indemnification or insurance is limited by its terms and any such indemnification, as a practical matter, is limited to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and its insurer, and the absence of significant defenses by the insurers. Consequently, the Company may incur material products liability claims, which could increase its costs and adversely affect its reputation, revenue and operating income.

Hydroxycut Claims.    In 2009, the FDA issued a warning on several Hydroxycut-branded products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A., Inc. (“Iovate”) based on 23 reports of liver injuries from consumers who claimed to have used the products between 2002 and 2009. As a result, Iovate voluntarily recalled 14 Hydroxycut-branded products.

Following the recall, the Company was named, among other defendants, in multiple lawsuits related to Hydroxycut-branded products in several states. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated pretrial proceedings of many of the pending actions in the Southern District of California (In re: Hydroxycut Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2087), and Iovate previously accepted the Company’s tender request for defense and indemnification under its purchasing agreement with the Company in these matters.

As of September 30, 2014, there were 76 pending lawsuits related to Hydroxycut in which the Company had been named: 70 individual, largely personal injury claims and six putative class action cases, generally inclusive of claims of consumer fraud, misrepresentation, strict liability and breach of warranty. In May 2013, the parties to the individual personal injury cases signed a Master Settlement Agreement, under which the Company is not required to make any payments. Settlement payments are being made exclusively by Iovate and dismissals are expected to be entered in these actions in the near term. The parties in the consolidated class actions reached a settlement, which was approved by the Court on October 20, 2014 and which does not require the Company to make any payments. Following final resolution of the individual personal injury cases and the settlement of the consolidated class action suits, all of the Hydroxycut claims currently pending against the Company will be resolved without any payment by the Company.  

DMAA / Aegeline Claims.  Prior to December 2013, the Company sold products manufactured by third parties that contained derivatives from geranium known as 1.3-dimethylpentylamine/ dimethylamylamine/13-dimethylamylamine, or “DMAA,” which were recalled from its stores in November 2013, and/or Aegeline, a compound extracted from bael trees.  As of September 30, 2014, the Company was named in 21 lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline, including 18 personal injury cases and three putative class action cases.  As a general matter, the proceedings associated with these cases, which generally seek indeterminate money damages, are in the early stages, and any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time. The Company is contractually entitled to indemnification by its third-party vendor with regard to these matters, although the Company’s ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against it is dependent upon the creditworthiness of the vendor and/or its insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to its insurer.

On October 13, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida preliminarily approved a settlement agreement among the parties to two of the three putative class action cases in which the Company is named and scheduled a hearing with regard to final approval of the proposed settlement in February 2015. The proposed settlement does not require any payment by the Company.

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California Wage and Break Claims.    In November 2008, 98 plaintiffs filed individual claims against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, alleging that they were not provided all of the rest and meal periods to which they were entitled under California law, and that the Company failed to pay them split shift and overtime compensation to which they were entitled under California law.  The plaintiffs also allege derivative claims for inaccurate wage statements, failure to pay wages due at termination, and penalty claims under the California Labor Code.  The cases were removed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and in June 2013, a trial was conducted that resulted in a verdict in favor of the Company with respect to the claims of seven of the plaintiffs. The claims of 20 other plaintiffs have been resolved and the claims of 71 plaintiffs remain, with respect to which discovery is ongoing.  As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

In July 2011, Charles Brewer, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, sued General Nutrition Corporation in federal court, alleging state and federal wage and hour claims (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 11CV3587). In October 2011, Mr. Brewer filed an amended complaint alleging, among other matters, meal, rest break and overtime violations. In January 2013, the Court conditionally certified a Fair Labor Standards Act class with respect to one of Plaintiff’s claims. As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

In February 2012, former Senior Store Manager, Elizabeth Naranjo, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated sued General Nutrition Corporation in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda (Case No. RG 12619626), alleging, among other matters, meal, rest break, and overtime violations. As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

FLSA Matters.    In June 2010, Dominic Vargas and Anne Hickok, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, sued General Nutrition Corporation and the Company in federal court (U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, Case No. 2:5-mc-2025), alleging, generally, that plaintiffs were required to perform work on an uncompensated basis and that the Company failed to pay overtime for such work. Class notice was mailed to putative class members in November 2012 and discovery regarding opt-in plaintiffs is ongoing. As of September 30, 2014, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

Jason Olive v. General Nutrition Corp. In April 2012, Jason Olive filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC482686), for misappropriation of likeness in which he alleges that the Company continued to use his image in stores after the expiration of the license to do so in violation of common law and California statutes. Mr. Olive is seeking compensatory, punitive and statutory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs, and a trial in this matter is currently scheduled for December 2014. As of September 30, 2014, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

Commitments

In addition to operating leases obtained in the normal course of business, the Company maintains certain purchase commitments with various vendors to ensure its operational needs are fulfilled.  As of September 30, 2014, such future purchase commitments consisted of $3.2 million. Other commitments related to the Company’s business operations cover varying periods of time and are not significant. All of these commitments are expected to be fulfilled with no adverse consequences to the Company’s operations or financial condition.

Environmental Compliance

In March 2008, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the “DHEC”) requested that the Company investigate contamination associated with historical activities at its South Carolina facility. These investigations have identified chlorinated solvent impacts in soils and groundwater that extend offsite from the facility. The Company entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Contract with the DHEC regarding the matter on September 24, 2012. Pursuant to such contract, the Company will submit a plan for additional investigations to the DHEC and will implement the plan upon DHEC’s approval. After the Company completes the investigations to understand the extent of the chlorinated solvent impacts, the Company will develop appropriate remedial measures for DHEC approval. At this stage of the investigation, however, it is not possible to estimate the timing and extent of any remedial action that may be required, the ultimate cost of remediation, or the amount of the Company’s potential liability, therefore no liability is recorded. 

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In addition to the foregoing, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign environmental and health and safety laws and regulations governing its operations, including the handling, transportation and disposal of the Company’s non-hazardous and hazardous substances and wastes, as well as emissions and discharges from its operations into the environment, including discharges to air, surface water and groundwater. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in costs for remedial actions, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities. New laws, changes in existing laws or the interpretation thereof, or the development of new facts or changes in their processes could also cause the Company to incur additional capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations and environmental permits.  The Company is also subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and cleanup responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment without regard to fault or knowledge about the condition or action causing the liability. Under certain of these laws and regulations, such liabilities can be imposed for cleanup of previously owned or operated properties, or for properties to which substances or wastes were sent in connection with current or former operations at its facilities. The presence of contamination from such substances or wastes could also adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell or lease its properties, or to use them as collateral for financing. From time to time, the Company has incurred costs and obligations for correcting environmental and health and safety noncompliance matters and for remediation at or relating to certain of the Company’s properties or properties at which the Company’s waste has been disposed.  However, compliance with the provisions of national, state and local environmental laws and regulations has not had a material effect upon the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings, financial position, liquidity or competitive position. The Company believes it has complied with, and is currently complying with, its environmental obligations pursuant to environmental and health and safety laws and regulations and that any liabilities for noncompliance will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial performance or cash flows. However, it is difficult to predict future liabilities and obligations, which could be material.

NOTE 8.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has outstanding stock-based compensation awards that were granted by the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of Holdings’ board of directors under the following two stock-based employee compensation plans:

• the GNC Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2011 Stock Plan”) adopted in March 2011; and

• the GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan adopted in March 2007 (as amended, the “2007 Stock Plan”).

Both plans have provisions that allow for the granting of stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards and are available to certain eligible employees, directors, consultants or advisors as determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock options under the plans were granted with exercise prices at or above fair market value on the date of grant, typically vest over a four- or five-year period, and expire seven or ten years from the date of grant.

Up to 8.5 million shares of common stock may be issued under the 2011 Stock Plan (subject to adjustment to reflect certain transactions and events specified in the 2011 Stock Plan for any award grant). If any award granted under the 2011 Stock Plan expires, terminates or is cancelled without having been exercised in full, the number of shares underlying such unexercised award will again become available for awards under the 2011 Stock Plan. The total number of shares of common stock available for awards under the 2011 Stock Plan will be reduced by (i) the total number of stock options or stock appreciation rights exercised, regardless of whether any of the shares of common stock underlying such awards are not actually issued to the participant as the result of a net settlement, and (ii) any shares of common stock used to pay any exercise price or tax withholding obligation. In addition, the number of shares of common stock that are subject to restricted stock, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are not subject to the appreciation of the value of a share of common stock (“Full Share Awards”) that may be granted under the 2011 Stock Plan is limited by counting shares granted pursuant to such awards against the aggregate share reserve as 1.8 shares for every share granted. If any stock option, stock appreciation right or other stock-based award that is not a Full Share Award is cancelled, expires or terminates unexercised for any reason, the shares covered by such awards will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2011 Stock Plan. If any shares of common stock that are subject to restricted stock, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are Full Share Awards are forfeited for any reason, 1.8 shares of common stock for each Full Share Award forfeited will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2011 Stock Plan.

 The Company will not grant any additional awards under the 2007 Stock Plan.  No stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock or performance shares were granted under the 2007 Stock Plan.

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The Company utilizes the Black Scholes model to calculate the fair value of options under both the 2011 Stock Plan and the 2007 Stock Plan. The grant-date fair value of the Company’s restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is based on the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the grant. The resulting compensation cost is recognized in the Company’s financial statements over the vesting period. The Company recognized $5.1 million and $5.9 million of total non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014, there was approximately $7.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation for all awards previously made that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.6 years. All expense for the non-cash stock-based compensation plans is recorded to paid-in-capital.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the total intrinsic value of options exercised and stock awards converted was $12.7 million and the total amount received by Holdings from the exercise of options and stock awards converted was $20.2 million. The total tax impact associated with the exercise of options and stock awards converted for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a benefit of $2.5 million, which was recorded to paid-in-capital.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the total intrinsic value of options exercised and stock awards converted was $32.6 million, and the total amount received by Holdings from the exercise of options and stock awards converted was $10.3 million. The total tax impact associated with the exercise of options and stock awards converted for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a benefit of $11.0 million, which was recorded to paid-in-capital.

Stock Options

The following table sets forth a summary of stock options under all plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

	Total Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,887,154		$	24.14
Granted	175,000		33.13
Exercised	(896,861	)	22.60
Forfeited	(290,014	)	30.12
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	875,279		$	25.52	5.7	$	11,571
Exercisable at September 30, 2014	272,852		$	20.40	4.5	$	5,004

The weighted fair value per share of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $7.89 and $14.20, respectively. Fair value of options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

The Black Scholes model utilizes the following assumptions in determining a fair value: price of underlying stock, award exercise price, expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and expected stock price volatility over the award’s expected term. Due to the utilization of these assumptions, the existing models do not necessarily represent the definitive fair value of awards for future periods. As the initial public offering (the “IPO”) occurred during the second quarter of 2011, the option term has been estimated by considering both the vesting period, which typically for both plans has been four or five years, and the contractual term, which historically has been either seven or ten years. Prior to the IPO, the fair value of the common stock was estimated based upon the net enterprise value of the Company, discounted to reflect the lack of liquidity and control associated with the stock.  Since the consummation of the IPO, the fair value of the common stock has been based upon the closing price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. Volatility is estimated based upon the current peer group average utilized by the Company. 

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The assumptions used in the Company's Black Scholes valuation related to stock option grants made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:

Dividend yield	1.9%
Expected option life	4.8 years
Volatility factor percentage of market price	31.1%
Discount rate	1.7%

Restricted Stock Awards

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock awards granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	114,981		$	25.16
Granted	10,404		36.52
Vested	(32,165	)	30.75
Forfeited	(46,474	)	24.04
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	46,746		$	24.96

Restricted Stock Units – Time Vesting and Performance Vesting

Under the 2011 Stock Plan, the Company granted time vesting and performance vesting restricted stock units. Time vesting restricted stock units vest over a period of three years. Performance vesting restricted stock units vest based on the passage of time and the achievement of certain criteria; based on the extent to which the targets are achieved, vested shares may range from 0% to 200% of the original share amount. The unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance vesting restricted stock units is adjusted as necessary to reflect changes in the probability that the vesting criteria will be achieved.

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	141,298		$	40.81	55,366		$	45.94
Granted	151,412		43.99		130,798		44.62
Vested	(1,174	)	46.47		—		—
Forfeited	(164,296	)	43.45		(129,171	)	45.26
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	127,240		$	41.13	56,993		$	44.45

NOTE 9.  SEGMENTS

The Company has three reportable segments, each of which represents an identifiable component of the Company for which separate financial information is available. This information is utilized by management to assess performance and allocate assets accordingly. The Company’s management evaluates segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary key performance indicators are sales and operating income or loss for each segment. Operating income or loss, as evaluated by management, excludes certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as distribution and warehousing, impairments and other corporate costs. The Retail reportable segment includes the Company’s corporate store operations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Ireland, and its websites GNC.com, Lucky Vitamin, and Discount Supplements. The Franchise reportable segment represents the Company’s franchise operations, both domestically and internationally. The Manufacturing/Wholesale reportable segment represents the Company’s manufacturing operations in South Carolina and the Wholesale sales business.

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This segment supplies the Retail and Franchise segments, along with various third parties, with finished products for sale. The Warehousing and Distribution and Corporate costs represent the Company’s administrative expenses. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

The following table represents key financial information of the Company’s segments: 

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Retail	$	480,691		$	487,271		$	1,495,197		$	1,483,228
Franchise	114,106			117,780			327,763			335,985
Manufacturing/Wholesale:
Intersegment revenues	62,247			66,231			194,862			199,248
Third Party	61,529			69,450			183,039			196,013
Subtotal Manufacturing/Wholesale	123,776			135,681			377,901			395,261
Subtotal segment revenues	718,573			740,732			2,200,861			2,214,474
Elimination of intersegment revenues	(62,247		)	(66,231		)	(194,862		)	(199,248		)
Total revenue	$	656,326		$	674,501		$	2,005,999		$	2,015,226
Operating income:
Retail	$	89,370		$	92,580		$	277,916		$	291,507
Franchise	40,316			41,616			121,639			116,694
Manufacturing/Wholesale	22,917			28,436			69,359			76,869
Unallocated corporate and other costs:
Warehousing and distribution costs	(17,277		)	(17,513		)	(50,258		)	(50,737		)
Corporate costs	(19,128		)	(19,145		)	(60,152		)	(60,168		)
Management realignment	(7,473		)	—			(7,473		)	—
Subtotal unallocated corporate and
other costs	(43,878		)	(36,658		)	(117,883		)	(110,905		)
Total operating income	108,725			125,974			351,031			374,165
Interest expense, net	11,781			11,237			34,987			33,353
Income before income taxes	$	96,944		$	114,737		$	316,044		$	340,812

NOTE 10.  INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized $111.9 million of income tax expense (or 35.4% of pre-tax income) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $123.4 million (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2013. The decrease in the tax rate is principally due to reductions in state taxes and the permanent difference related to the non-taxable Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price liability of $4.3 million.

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal tax return and various consolidated and separate tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the state, local and international jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company’s 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company has various state, local and international jurisdiction tax years open to examination (the earliest open period is 2009), and the Company also has certain state and local jurisdictions currently under audit. As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that it has appropriately reserved for potential federal, state and international income tax exposures.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $11.3 million and $10.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $11.3 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had accrued approximately $4.2 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to the ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions, amounts previously accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. 

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NOTE 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 23, 2014, the board of directors authorized and declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on or about December 26, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 12, 2014.

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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Item 1, “Financial Statements” in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.  Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information.  Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of terminology such as “subject to,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “continue,” “seek,” “could,” “can,” “think,” the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy.

All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our examination of historical operating trends, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. We believe there is a reasonable basis for our expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain. We may not realize our expectations, and our beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following uncertainties and factors, among others (including, but not limited to, those we describe under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013), could affect future performance and cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements:

• significant and growing competition in our industry;

• unfavorable publicity or consumer perception of our industry or products, as well as general changes in consumer behaviors and trends;

• increases in the cost of borrowings and limitations on availability of additional debt or equity capital;

• our debt levels and restrictions in our debt agreements;

• incurrence of material product liability and product recall costs;

• loss or retirement of key members of management;

• costs of compliance and our failure to comply with new and existing governmental regulations governing our products, including, but not limited to, proposed dietary supplement legislation and regulations;

• changes in our tax obligations;

• costs of litigation and the failure to successfully defend lawsuits and other claims against us;

• failure of our franchisees to conduct their operations profitably and limitations on our ability to terminate or replace under-performing franchisees;

• economic, political, and other risks associated with our international operations, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar;

• failure to keep pace with the demands of our customers for new products and services;

• limitations of or disruptions in our manufacturing system or losses of manufacturing certifications;

• limitations of or disruptions in our distribution network;

• lack of long-term experience with human consumption of ingredients in some of our products;

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• increases in the frequency and severity of insurance claims, particularly claims for which we are self-insured;

• failure to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights against competitors;

• changes in raw material costs and pricing of our products;

• failure to successfully execute our growth strategy, including any delays in our planned future growth, any inability to expand our franchise operations or attract new franchisees, any inability to expand our company-owned retail operations, any inability to grow our international footprint, or any inability to expand our e-commerce business;

• any failure by our current marketing initiatives to timely produce the results that we anticipate;

• changes in applicable laws relating to our franchise operations;

• damage or interruption to our information systems;

• risks and costs associated with data loss, credit card fraud and identity theft;

• impact of current economic conditions on our business;

• unusually adverse weather conditions;

• natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, boycotts, and geo-political events; and

• failure to maintain effective internal controls.

Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update, republish or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.

Business Overview

We are a global specialty retailer of health and wellness products. We derive our revenues principally from product sales through our company-owned stores and online through GNC.com, LuckyVitamin Corp. ("Lucky Vitamin"), and Discount-Supplements.co.uk ("Discount Supplements"), domestic and international franchise activities and sales of products manufactured in our facilities to third parties. We sell products through a worldwide network of more than 8,800 locations operating under the GNC brand name.

We acquired Discount Supplements, the leading multi-brand sports nutrition e-commerce retailer in the United Kingdom, in October 2013.

In August 2014, our board of directors authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of our Class A common stock (the "common stock"). This replaces the repurchase program established in November 2013. We repurchased $230.3 million of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and have utilized $40.0 million of the current repurchase program.

On April 17, 2014, the Company acquired THSD d/b/a The Health Store (“The Health Store”), a nine store chain based in Dublin, Ireland.

Executive Overview

In 2014, we have continued to focus on our five principal corporate goals: growing company-owned domestic retail earnings, growing company-owned domestic retail square footage, growing our international footprint, expanding our e-commerce business and further leveraging the GNC brand. These goals are designed to drive both short-term and long-term financial results. Our results for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were affected by a difficult

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retail environment. The following results are for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013:

• Our company-owned domestic same store sales decreased 5.8%, which includes a 4.2% decrease in sales by our GNC.com business.

• We increased our company-owned domestic store count by 33 net new stores during the third quarter of 2014.

• Our retail segment sales decreased 1.4%, and operating income decreased 3.5%.

• Total franchising revenue and operating income decreased 3.1%.

• Domestic franchising revenue increased 7.3%, and we added 79 net new domestic franchise stores since the third quarter of 2013.

• International franchise revenue decreased 16.8%, and we added 25 net new international franchise stores during the third quarter of 2014.

• Sales decreased in our wholesale/manufacturing segment by 11.4% due to reduced purchases from our large wholesale customers, and operating income decreased 19.4%.

• Our total revenue decreased 2.7%, and our total operating income decreased 13.7%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we generated net cash from operating activities of $238.0 million, repurchased $230.3 million in common stock, and paid $43.3 million in common stock dividends.

Revenues and Operating Performance from our Segments

We measure our operating performance primarily through revenues and operating income from our three segments, Retail, Franchise and Manufacturing/Wholesale, and through the management of unallocated costs from our warehousing, distribution and corporate segments, as follows:

• Retail:Retail revenues are generated by sales to consumers at our company-owned stores and online through our websites, GNC.com, Lucky Vitamin, and Discount Supplements. Although we believe that our retail and franchise businesses are not seasonal in nature, historically we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, a variation in our net sales and operating results from quarter to quarter.

• Franchise:Franchise revenues are generated primarily by:

(1) product sales to our franchisees;

(2) royalties on franchise retail sales; and

(3) franchise fees, which we charge for initial franchise awards, renewals and transfers of franchises.

Although we do not anticipate the number of our domestic franchise stores to grow substantially, we expect to achieve domestic franchise store revenue growth generally in line with our domestic retail business, which we expect to generate from royalties on franchise retail sales and product sales to our existing franchisees. As a result of our efforts to expand our international presence and provisions in our international franchising agreements requiring franchisees to open additional stores, we have increased our international store base in recent periods and expect to continue to increase the number of our international franchise stores over the next five years. We believe this will result in additional franchise fees associated with new store openings and increased revenues from product sales to, and royalties from, new franchisee stores. Since our international franchisees pay royalties to us in U.S. dollars, any strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to our franchisees’ local currency may offset some of the growth in royalty revenue.

• Manufacturing/Wholesale: Manufacturing/Wholesale revenues are generated by: sales of manufactured products to third parties, generally for third-party private label brands; the sale of our proprietary and third-

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party products to and through Rite Aid and www.drugstore.com; and the sale of our proprietary products to PetSmart and Sam’s Club. We also record license fee revenue from the opening of franchise store-within-a-store locations within Rite Aid stores. Our revenues generated by our manufacturing and wholesale operations are subject to our available manufacturing capacity.

A significant portion of our business infrastructure is comprised of fixed operating costs. Our vertically integrated distribution network, manufacturing capacity, and ability to outsource production can support higher sales volume. We opened a fourth domestic distribution center in October 2014. This distribution center is located near Indianapolis, Indiana, and we believe that it will provide incremental distribution capacity sufficient for the foreseeable future.

The following trends and uncertainties in our industry could affect our operating performance as follows:

• broader consumer awareness of health and wellness issues and rising healthcare costs may increase the use of the products we offer and positively affect our operating performance;

• interest in, and demand for, condition-specific products based on scientific research may positively affect our operating performance if we can timely develop and offer such condition-specific products;

• the effects of favorable and unfavorable publicity on consumer demand with respect to the products we offer may have similarly favorable or unfavorable effects on our operating performance;

• a lack of long-term experience with human consumption of ingredients in some of our products could create uncertainties with respect to the health risks, if any, related to the consumption of such ingredients and negatively affect our operating performance;

• increased costs associated with complying with new and existing governmental regulation may negatively affect our operating performance;

• consolidation within our industry and increasing participation in our market by mass market retailers and consumer product manufacturers could continue to intensify competition within our industry and could continue to negatively affect our market performance; and

• a decline in disposable income available to consumers may lead to a reduction in consumer spending and negatively affect our operating performance.

Results of Operations

The following information presented for the three and nine months ended September 30,2014 and 2013 was prepared by management, is unaudited, and was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and operating results for such periods and as of such dates have been included.

As discussed in Note 9, “Segments,” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements, we evaluate segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary key performance indicators are revenues and operating income or loss for each segment. Revenues and operating income or loss, as evaluated by management, exclude certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as warehousing and distribution costs, impairments and other corporate costs. The following discussion compares the revenues and the operating income or loss by segment, as well as those items excluded from the segment totals.

Same store sales growth reflects the percentage change in same store sales in the period presented compared to the prior year period. Same store sales are calculated on a daily basis for each store and exclude the net sales of a store for any period if the store was not open during the same period of the prior year. We also include internet sales, as generated only through GNC.com and www.drugstore.com, in our domestic retail company-owned domestic same store sales calculation. When a store’s square footage has been changed as a result of reconfiguration or relocation in the same mall or shopping center, the store continues to be treated as a same store. If, during the period presented, a store was closed, relocated to a different mall or shopping center, or converted to a franchise store or a company-owned store, sales from that store up to and including the closing day or the day immediately preceding the relocation or conversion are included as same store sales as long as the store was open during the same period of the prior

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year. We exclude from the calculation sales during the period presented that occurred on or after the date of relocation to a different mall or shopping center or the date of a conversion.

Results of Operations

(Dollars in millions and percentages expressed as a percentage of total net revenue)

	Three months ended September 30,										Nine months ended September 30,
	2014					2013					2014					2013
	(unaudited)
Revenues:
Retail	$	480.7		73.2	%	$	487.3		72.2	%	$	1,495.2		74.5	%	$	1,483.3		73.6	%
Franchise	114.1			17.4	%	117.8			17.5	%	327.8			16.4	%	336.0			16.7	%
Manufacturing / Wholesale	61.5			9.4	%	69.4			10.3	%	183.0			9.1	%	196.0			9.7	%
Total net revenues	656.3			100.0	%	674.5			100.0	%	2,006.0			100.0	%	2,015.3			100.0	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales, including warehousing,
distribution and occupancy costs	408.6			62.2	%	421.3			62.5	%	1,246.0			62.1	%	1,250.2			62.0	%
Compensation and related benefits	82.3			12.5	%	79.3			11.7	%	245.9			12.2	%	239.9			11.9	%
Advertising and promotion	20.3			3.1	%	16.7			2.5	%	59.4			3.0	%	53.5			2.7	%
Other selling, general and administrative expenses	30.1			4.6	%	29.7			4.4	%	97.5			4.9	%	91.8			4.6	%
Amortization expense	2.7			0.4	%	2.1			0.3	%	8.1			0.4	%	6.3			0.3	%
Management realignment	7.5			1.2	%	—			—		7.5			0.4	%	—			—
International franchise receivable reserves	4.4			0.7	%	0.2			—		4.4			0.2	%	0.4			—
Reversal of contingent purchase price	(4.3		)	-0.7	%	—			—		(4.3		)	-0.2	%	—			—
Other (income) expense, net	(4.0		)	-0.6	%	(0.8		)	-0.1	%	(9.5		)	-0.5	%	(1.0		)	-0.1	%
Total operating expenses	547.6			83.4	%	548.5			81.3	%	1,655.0			82.5	%	1,641.1			81.4	%
Operating income:
Retail	89.4			13.6	%	92.6			13.7	%	277.9			13.8	%	291.5			14.5	%
Franchise	40.3			6.1	%	41.6			6.2	%	121.6			6.1	%	116.7			5.8	%
Manufacturing / Wholesale	22.9			3.5	%	28.4			4.2	%	69.4			3.5	%	76.9			3.8	%
Unallocated corporate and other costs:
Warehousing and distribution costs	(17.3		)	-2.6	%	(17.5		)	-2.6	%	(50.3		)	-2.5	%	(50.7		)	-2.5	%
Corporate costs	(19.1		)	-2.9	%	(19.1		)	-2.8	%	(60.1		)	-3.0	%	(60.2		)	-3.0	%
Management realignment	(7.5		)	-1.1	%	—			—		(7.5		)	-0.4	%	—			—
Subtotal unallocated corporate and other costs, net	(43.9		)	-6.6	%	(36.6		)	-5.4	%	(117.9		)	-5.9	%	(110.9		)	-5.5	%
Total operating income	108.7			16.6	%	126.0			18.7	%	351.0			17.5	%	374.2			18.6	%
Interest expense, net	11.8					11.3					35.0					33.4
Income before income taxes	96.9					114.7					316.0					340.8
Income tax expense	32.6					41.7					111.9					123.4
Net income	$	64.3				$	73.0				$	204.1				$	217.4

Note:The numbers in the above table have been rounded to millions.  All calculations related to the Results of Operations for the year-over-year comparisons were derived from unrounded data and could occasionally differ immaterially if you were to use the table above for these calculations.

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Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

Revenues

Our consolidated net revenues decreased $18.2 million, or 2.7%, to $656.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $674.5 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was the result of decreased sales in all three business segments.

Retail. Revenues in our Retail segment decreased $6.6 million, or 1.4%, to $480.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $487.3 million for the same period in 2013, due primarily to negative domestic retail same store sales, which includes sales from GNC.com, of 5.8%. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in sales of $6.8 million in our e-commerce businesses (principally due to the acquisition of Discount Supplements which occurred in October 2013) and $13.3 million from the addition of 151 net new corporate stores and nine The Health Store locations in Ireland, acquired in April 2014. Our company-owned store base increased by 160 stores to 3,459 at September 30, 2014 compared to 3,299 at September 30, 2013, which includes the nine The Health Store locations and 14 new Canadian stores.

Franchise.Revenues in our Franchise segment decreased $3.7 million, or 3.1%, to $114.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $117.8 million for the same period in 2013. Domestic franchise revenue increased $4.9 million primarily due to higher wholesale sales of $5.2 million. Our domestic franchise same store sales decreased by 4.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. There were 1,063 domestic franchise stores at September 30, 2014 compared to 984 stores at September 30, 2013. International revenue decreased by $8.6 million, or 16.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, due to lower wholesale product sales of $8.4 million, particularly due to regulatory and macro-economic factors in several key international franchise markets. Our international franchisees have reported a 2.9% same store sales decrease this quarter, on a local currency basis. Our international franchise store base increased by 146 stores to 2,101 at September 30, 2014 compared to 1,955 at September 30, 2013.

Manufacturing/Wholesale.Revenues in our Manufacturing/Wholesale segment, which includes third-party sales from our manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, as well as wholesale sales to Rite Aid, PetSmart, and Sam’s Club, decreased $7.9 million, or 11.4%, to $61.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $69.4 million for the same period in 2013. Third-party contract manufacturing sales from our South Carolina manufacturing plant decreased by $7.3 million, or 19.2%, to $30.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $37.7 million for the same period in 2013 due generally to softer market trends.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales, which includes product costs, costs of warehousing and distribution and occupancy costs, decreased $12.7 million, or 3.0%, to $408.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $421.3 million for the same period in 2013. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net revenue, was 62.2% and 62.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The lower cost of sales percentage for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was due principally to reduced promotional activities compared to the same period in 2013, partially offset by higher occupancy expense related to the operating of 160 new stores in our retail segment.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

SG&A expenses, including compensation and related benefits, advertising and promotion expense, other SG&A expenses including amortization expense, increased $7.6 million, or 6.0%, to $135.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $127.8 million for the same period in 2013. These expenses, as a percentage of net revenue, were 20.5% and 19.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Compensation and related benefits.Compensation and related benefits increased $3.0 million, or 3.8%, to $82.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $79.3 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in store salaries and benefits was primarily to support our increased store base and expenses from our newly acquired retail businesses.

Advertising and promotion.Advertising and promotion expenses increased $3.6 million, or 21.3%, to $20.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $16.7 million for the same period in 2013. Advertising expense, as a percentage of net revenue, was 3.1% and 2.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in our advertising expense as a percentage of net revenue is principally

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due to increased media advertising related to the Beat Average™ marketing campaign and the acquisition of Discount Supplements, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other SG&A.Other SG&A expenses, including amortization expense, increased $1.0 million, or 3.2%, to $32.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2013. This increase principally relates to expenses from our newly acquired retail businesses.

Other

Management realignment. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we incurred $7.5 million associated with the changes among our executive leadership team. This expense related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock-based compensation expense net of forfeitures, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

International franchise receivable reserve. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a $4.4 million reserve against receivables with our international franchisees, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2013. The collectability of receivables principally from one international franchisee has become uncertain due to its current financial condition.

Reversal of contingent purchase price. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, it was determined that certain conditions required to be met by the seller in the purchase agreement of Discount Supplements were not achieved, and as such, we reversed a $4.3 million contingent purchase price liability ("Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price").

Other (income) expense, net. Other (income) expense, which includes the gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees and foreign currency (gain) loss, increased $3.2 million to a gain of $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to a gain of $0.8 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in other (income) expense is a result of more conversions from corporate stores to franchise stores for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Operating Income

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $17.3 million, or 13.7%, to $108.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $126.0 million for the same period in 2013. Operating income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 16.6% and 18.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Retail.Operating income decreased $3.2 million, or 3.5%, to $89.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $92.6 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease in operating income was primarily related to higher media advertising spend corresponding with our Beat Average™ campaign launch during the second quarter of 2014, and expense deleveraging associated with negative same store sales, partially offset by improved gross margin and the Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price.

Franchise.Operating income decreased $1.3 million, or 3.1%, to $40.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $41.6 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to the International Franchise Receivable Reserve adjustment of $4.4 million, partially offset by the gain of $4.1 million from the sale of corporate owned stores, which was an increase of $3.3 million over the gain of $0.8 million for the same period in 2013.

Manufacturing/Wholesale.Operating income decreased $5.5 million, or 19.4%, to $22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $28.4 million for the same period in 2013.  The decrease in operating income was generally due to lower shipments to wholesale customers for softer market trends as well as lower proprietary sales.

Warehousing and distribution costs.Unallocated warehousing and distribution costs decreased $0.2 million, or 1.3%, to $17.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $17.5 million for the same period in 2013.

Corporate costs.Corporate overhead costs were $19.1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

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Management realignment. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we incurred $7.5 million associated with the changes among our executive leadership team. This expense related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock option expense, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense increased $0.5 million, or 4.8%, to $11.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $11.3 million for the same period in 2013. This increase was due to the effects of the additional borrowings of $252.5 million under the Senior Credit Facility, partially offset by interest rate savings resulting from the repricing of the Senior Credit Facility, both of which occurred during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Income Tax Expense

We recognized $32.6 million of income tax expense (or 33.7% of pre-tax income) during the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $41.7 million (or 36.3% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2013. The decrease in our tax rate is principally due to reductions in state taxes and the permanent difference related to the non-taxable reversal of the contingent purchase price liability of $4.3 million.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income decreased $8.7 million to $64.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $73.0 million for the same period in 2013.

Comparison of the Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2014 and 2013

Revenues

Our consolidated net revenues decreased $9.3 million, or 0.5%, to $2,006.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $2,015.3 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was the result of decreased sales in our Manufacturing/Wholesale and Franchise segments, partially offset by the increased sales in the Retail segment.

Retail. Revenues in our Retail segment increased $11.9 million, or 0.8%, to $1,495.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $1,483.3 million for the same period in 2013, which was primarily driven by an increase in sales of $35.7 million in our e-commerce businesses (principally due to the acquisition of Discount Supplements which occurred in October 2013), and $37.2 million from the addition of 151 net new corporate stores and nine The Health Store locations in Ireland, acquired in April 2014. These increases were partially offset by negative domestic retail same store sales, which includes sales from GNC.com, of 2.7%, approximately $6.5 million due to the exchange rate trend of the Canadian dollar, and the negative effect due to the Gold Card giveaway associated with the Member Pricing launch in 2013. Our company-owned store base increased by 160 stores to 3,459 at September 30, 2014 compared to 3,299 at September 30, 2013, which includes 14 new Canadian stores and nine new stores as a result of the acquisition of The Health Store.

Franchise.Revenues in our Franchise segment decreased $8.2 million, or 2.4%, to $327.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $336.0 million for the same period in 2013. Domestic franchise revenue increased $5.1 million primarily due to higher wholesale sales, fees, and royalties. Our domestic franchise same store sales decreased by 3.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. There were 1,063 domestic franchise stores at September 30, 2014 compared to 984 stores at September 30, 2013. International revenue decreased by $13.3 million, or 9.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to lower product sales, particularly due to regulatory and macro-economic factors in several key international franchise markets, partially offset by an increase in royalties and fees. Our international franchisees have reported a 1.9% same store sales increase this year, on a local currency basis. Our international franchise store base increased by 146 stores to 2,101 at September 30, 2014, compared to 1,955 at September 30, 2013.

Manufacturing/Wholesale.Revenues in our Manufacturing/Wholesale segment, which principally includes third-party sales from our manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, as well as wholesale sales to Rite Aid, PetSmart, and Sam’s Club, decreased $13.0 million, or 6.6%, to $183.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $196.0 million for the same period in 2013. Third-party contract manufacturing sales from our South

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Carolina manufacturing plant decreased $6.2 million, or 6.0%, to $97.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $103.4 million for the same period in 2013. Wholesale revenue decreased $6.8 million, or 7.3%, due to lower shipments to our wholesale customers from softer market trends.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales, which includes product costs, costs of warehousing and distribution and occupancy costs, decreased $4.2 million, or 0.3%, to $1,246.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $1,250.2 million for the same period in 2013. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net revenue, was 62.1% and 62.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

SG&A expenses, including compensation and related benefits, advertising and promotion expense, other SG&A expenses including amortization expense, increased $19.4 million, or 4.9%, to $410.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $391.5 million for the same period in 2013. These expenses, as a percentage of net revenue, were 20.5% and 19.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Compensation and related benefits.Compensation and related benefits increased $6.0 million, or 2.5%, to $245.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $239.9 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in compensation and related benefits was primarily due to support for our increased store base and sales volume, partially offset by the reversal of incentive and non-cash stock-based compensation accruals.

Advertising and promotion.Advertising and promotion expenses increased $5.9 million, or 11.1%, to $59.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $53.5 million for the same period in 2013. Advertising expense, as a percentage of net revenue, was 3.0% and 2.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in our advertising expense as a percentage of net revenue is principally due to increased media advertising related to the Beat Average™ marketing campaign and the acquisition of Discount Supplements, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Other SG&A.Other SG&A expenses, including amortization expense, increased $7.5 million, or 7.6%, to $105.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $98.1 million for the same period in 2013. This increase principally relates to expenses from our newly acquired retail businesses and higher legal expenses.

Other

Management realignment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we incurred $7.5 million associated with the changes among our executive leadership team. This expense related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock-based compensation expense net of forfeitures, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

International franchise receivable reserve. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a $4.4 million reserve against receivables with our international franchisees, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2013. The collectability of receivables principally from one international franchisee has become uncertain due to its current financial condition.

Reversal of contingent purchase price. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, it was determined that certain conditions required to be met by the seller in the purchase agreement of Discount Supplements were not achieved, and as such, we reversed a $4.3 million contingent purchase price liability.

Other (income) expense, net. Other (income) expense, which includes the gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees and foreign currency (gain) loss, increased $8.5 million to a gain of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to a gain of $1.0 million for the same period in 2013. The increase in other (income) expense is a result of more conversions from corporate stores to franchise stores for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Operating Income

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $23.2 million, or 6.2%, to $351.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $374.2 million for the same period in 2013. Operating

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income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 17.5% and 18.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Retail.Operating income decreased $13.6 million, or 4.7%, to $277.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $291.5 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease in operating income was negatively impacted by higher media spend and expense deleveraging associated with negative same store sales, partially offset by a higher gross margin and the Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price.

Franchise.Operating income increased $4.9 million, or 4.2%, to $121.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $116.7 million for the same period in 2013. The increase was due to higher gross profit margin and the gain on sale of corporate owned stores.

Manufacturing/Wholesale.Operating income decreased $7.5 million, or 9.8%, to $69.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $76.9 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease in operating income was generally due to lower shipments to wholesale customers from softer market trends as well as lower proprietary sales.

Warehousing and distribution costs.Unallocated warehousing and distribution costs decreased $0.4 million, or 0.9%, to $50.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $50.7 million for the same period in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to transportation savings related to the transition to a third-party pooled transportation network during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Corporate costs.Corporate overhead costs decreased$0.1 million to $60.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $60.2 million for the same period in 2013, as the decrease in salaries and benefits of $4.5 million, which was principally related to the reversal of incentive and non-cash stock-based compensation accruals, was partially offset by higher legal and other SG&A expenses.

Management realignment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we incurred $7.5 million associated with the changes among our executive leadership team. This expense related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense increased $1.6 million, or 4.9%, to $35.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $33.4 million for the same period in 2013. This increase was due to the effects of the additional borrowings of $252.5 million under the Senior Credit Facility, partially offset by interest rate savings resulting from the repricing of the Senior Credit Facility, both of which occurred during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Income Tax Expense

We recognized $111.9 million of income tax expense (or 35.4% of pre-tax income) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $123.4 million (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2013. The decrease in our tax rate is principally due to reductions in state taxes and the permanent difference related to the non-taxable reversal of the contingent purchase price liability of $4.3 million.

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income decreased $13.3 million to $204.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $217.4 million for the same period in 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At September 30, 2014, we had $148.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $653.0 million in working capital, compared with $226.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $719.0 million in working capital at December 31, 2013. The $66.0 milliondecrease in our working capital was primarily driven by a decrease in our cash due to the repurchase of common stock and an increase in accounts payable, partially offset by an increase in inventory levels.

We expect to fund our operations through internally generated cash and, if necessary, from borrowings under our $130.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility").  At September 30, 2014, we had $128.9 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility, after giving effect to $1.1 million utilized to secure letters of credit.

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We expect our primary uses of cash in the near future will be for capital expenditures, working capital requirements, and funding any quarterly dividends to stockholders and share repurchases that are approved by our board of directors.

In August 2014, our board of directors authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of our common stock. This replaces the repurchase program established in November 2013. We repurchased $230.3 million of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and have utilized $40.0 million of the current repurchase program.

On October 23, 2014, the board of directors authorized and declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on or about December 26, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 12, 2014.

We currently anticipate that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient for the term of the Revolving Credit Facility, which matures in March 2017, to meet our operating expenses and fund capital expenditures as they become due. We are required to make quarterly payments of $1.1 million on the amount outstanding under our term loan facility (and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Credit Facility”), payable every quarter beginning March 31, 2014 and ending on December 31, 2018. Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal on, to pay interest on or to refinance our debt and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend on our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial and other factors beyond our control.  We are currently in compliance with our debt covenant reporting and compliance obligations under the Senior Credit Facility and expect to remain in compliance during 2014.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $238.0 million and $216.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase was due to a decrease in receivables, the timing of payments for accounts payable, and an increase in deferred revenue and other current liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, inventory increased $62.5 million as a result of increases in our finished goods to support our increased store base and timing of purchase orders with a significant vendor. Accounts payable increased $8.9 million due to the increase in inventory and timing of payments.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $61.0 million and $34.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capital expenditures, which were primarily for new stores and improvements to our retail stores and our distribution center in Indianapolis, Indiana, which opened in October 2014, were $55.2 million and $33.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Also, in April of 2014, we spent approximately $6.4 million related to the acquisition of The Health Store.

We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $70.0 million in 2014, which includes costs associated with growing our domestic square footage and our new distribution center in Indianapolis, Indiana. We anticipate funding our 2014 capital requirements with cash flows from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Cash Used in Financing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, cash used in financing activities was $255.2 million, primarily consisting of dividends paid to Holdings’ stockholders of $43.3 million and the repurchase of an aggregate of $230.3 million in shares of common stock under the repurchase program, offset by $22.7 million of proceeds from exercised stock options, including the associated tax benefit.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, cash used in financing activities was $263.3 million, primarily consisting of dividends paid to Holdings’ stockholders of $43.3 million and the repurchase of an aggregate of $238.4 million shares of common stock under a repurchase program, offset partially by $21.2 million of proceeds from exercised stock options, including the associated tax benefit.

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Contractual Obligations

There are no material changes in our contractual obligations as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form  10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2014, we had no relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off balance sheet arrangements, or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements under Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”. There have been no material changes to the application of critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates since those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standard ASU 2013-11, regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  This standard requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) or tax credit carryforward whenever the NOL or tax credit carryforward would be available to reduce the additional taxable income or tax due if the tax position is disallowed. This accounting standard update requires entities to assess whether to net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset as of the reporting date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-09, which updates revenue recognition guidance relating to contracts with customers. This standard states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-12, which updates guidance on performance stock awards. The update states that for any award that has a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite period, that performance target should still be treated as a performance condition. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of changes in the value of market risk sensitive instruments caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in the results of our operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are primarily exposed to foreign currency and interest rate risks. We use an insignificant amount of derivative financial instruments in connection with these commodity market risks.

Interest Rate Market Risk

All of our long-term debt is subject to changing interest rates.  Although changes in interest rates do not impact our operating income, the changes could affect the fair value of such debt and related interest payments. Based on our variable rate debt balance as of September 30, 2014, an increase of 1% in the interest rates would cause our annual interest rate costs to increase by approximately $6.5 million. A decrease in the current interest rates would have no impact on interest expense due to an interest rate floor that exists on the Senior Credit Facility.

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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Market Risk

We are subject to the risk of foreign currency exchange rate changes in the conversion from local currencies to the U.S. dollar of the reported financial position and operating results of our non-U.S. based subsidiaries. We are also subject to foreign currency exchange rate changes for purchases of goods and services that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The primary currencies to which we are exposed to fluctuations are the Canadian Dollar, the Chinese Renminbi, the British Pound, and the Euro. The fair value of our net foreign investments and our foreign denominated payables would not be materially affected by a 10% adverse change in foreign currency exchange rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) , has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act has been appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and are effective in ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our CEO has concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

We are engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including claims related to breach of contracts, products liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters resulting from our business activities. 

We record accruals for outstanding legal matters when we believe it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated.  We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, we do not establish an accrued liability. Currently, none of our accruals for outstanding legal matters are material individually or in the aggregate to our financial position. However, if we ultimately are required to make a payment in connection with an adverse outcome in any of the matters discussed below, it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties, including for each such contingency the following, among other factors: (i) the procedural status of the case; (ii) whether the case has or may be certified as a class action suit; (iii) the outcome of preliminary motions; (iv) the impact of discovery; (v) whether there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) whether the proceedings involve a large number of parties and/or parties and claims in multiple jurisdictions or jurisdictions in which the relevant laws are complex or unclear; (vii) the extent of potential damages, which are often unspecified or indeterminate; and (viii) the status of settlement discussions, if any, and the settlement posture of the parties.  Consequently, except as otherwise noted below with regard to a particular matter, we cannot predict with any reasonable certainty the timing or outcome of the legal matters described below, and we are unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss.

As a manufacturer and retailer of nutritional supplements and other consumer products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, we have been and are currently subjected to various product liability claims. Although the effects of these claims to date have not been material to us, it is possible that current and future product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We currently maintain product liability insurance with a deductible/retention of $4.0 million per claim with an aggregate cap on retained loss of $10.0 million. We typically seek and have obtained contractual indemnification from most parties that supply raw materials for our products or that manufacture or market products we sell. We also typically seek to be added, and have been added, as an additional insured under most of such parties’ insurance policies. We are also entitled to indemnification by Numico for certain losses arising from claims related to products containing ephedra or Kava Kava sold prior to December 5, 2003. However, any such indemnification or insurance is limited by its terms and any such indemnification, as a practical matter, is limited to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and its insurer, and the absence of significant defenses by the insurers. Consequently, we may incur material products liability claims, which could increase our costs and adversely affect our reputation, revenue and operating income.

Hydroxycut Claims.In 2009, the FDA issued a warning on several Hydroxycut-branded products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A., Inc. (“Iovate”) based on 23 reports of liver injuries from consumers who claimed to have used the products between 2002 and 2009. As a result, Iovate voluntarily recalled 14 Hydroxycut-branded products.

Following the recall, we were named, among other defendants, in approximately 93 lawsuits, including a number of putative class action cases, related to Hydroxycut-branded products in 14 states. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated pretrial proceedings of many of the pending actions in the Southern District of California (In re: Hydroxycut Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2087), and Iovate previously accepted our tender request for defense and indemnification under its purchasing agreement with us in these matters.

As of September 30, 2014, there were 76 pending lawsuits related to Hydroxycut in which we have been named, including 70 individual, largely personal injury claims and six putative class action cases, generally inclusive of claims of consumer fraud, misrepresentation, strict liability and breach of warranty. In May 2013, the parties to the individual personal injury cases signed a Master Settlement Agreement, under which we are not required to make any payments. Settlement payments will be made exclusively by Iovate and dismissals are expected to be entered in these actions in the near term. The parties in the consolidated class actions also reached a settlement, which the Court approved on October 20, 2014. The Company is not required to make any payments under the class action settlement agreement. Following resolution of the individual personal injury cases and the settlement of the consolidated class

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action suits, all of the Hydroxycut claims currently pending against the Company will be resolved without any payment by us

DMAA / Aegeline Claims. Prior to December 2013, we sold products manufactured by third parties that contained derivatives from geranium known as 1.3-dimethylpentylamine/ dimethylamylamine/13-dimethylamylamine, or “DMAA,” which were recalled from our stores in November 2013, and/or Aegeline, a compound extracted from bael trees.  As of September 30, 2014, we were named in the following 21 lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline, including 18 personal injury cases and three putative class action cases:

Personal Injury Claims:

• Susan Straub, individual, and as Administratrix of the Estate of Shane Straub v. USPLabs LLC ("USPLabs") and General Nutrition Holdings, Inc., Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (Case No. 14-0502403), filed May 20, 2014

• Shirley Davila Trustee Ad Litem for the Estate of Jessica Davila v. General Nutrition Centers, Inc. and USPLabs, Court of the Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, PA (Case No.12-0602113), filed June 18, 2012

• Leanne Sparling and Michael Sparling on behalf of Michael Sparling, deceased v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al. Superior Court of California, County of San Diego (Case No. 2013-00034663-CU-PL-CTL), filed February 13, 2013

• Justin Carolyne, et al.  v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al. Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC508212), filed May 22, 2013

• Everine Van Huoten vs. USPLabs and GNC Holdings, United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. 13 CV 00635 LEK KSC), filed November 19, 2013

• Jeremy Reed, Timothy Anderson, Dan Anderson, Nadia Black, et al. v. USPLabs, et al., GNC, Superior Court for California, County of San Diego  (Case No. 37-2013-00074052-CU-PL-CTL), filed November 1, 2013

• Kenneth Waikiki v. USPLabs, Doyle, Geissler, USP Labs OxyElite, LLC, et al. and GNC Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. 3-00639 DMK), filed November 21, 2013

• Nicholas Akau v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV 14-00029), filed January 23, 2014

• Malissa Igafo v.  USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV 14-00030), filed January 23, 2013

• Calvin Ishihara v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV 14-00031), filed January 23, 2014

• Gaye Anne Mattson v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al., United States District for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV 14-00032), filed January 23, 2014

• Dominic Little vs. USPLabs, Jonathan Vincent Doyle (an individual), Jacob Geissler (an individual), USPLabs Jack3d, LLC, USPLabs OxyElite, LLC, GNC Corporation, the Vitamin Shoppe, Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc., Bally Total Fitness Corporation, Natural Alternatives International, Inc., S.K. Laboratories, Inc., Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. BC534065), filed January 23, 2014

• Jamie Franco  v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. CV-14-00592), filed January 24, 2014

• Roel Vista v. USPLabs, GNC Corporation, et al. United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. CV-14-0037), filed January 24, 2014

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• Karina Lujan, individually and as next friend of Kalysa Rosa, Michael Lujan, Jimmy Eddy Lujan and Gabriel Lujan v. USPLabs, GNC Holdings et al., District Court, 298th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas (Case No. DC-13-05677-M), filed March 14, 2014

• Thomas Park v. USPLabs, et al., California Superior Court, San Diego County (Case No. 37-2014-00010924-CU-PL-CTL), filed April 10, 2014

• Nicholas Olson, Adrian Chavez, Rebecca Fullerton, Robert Gunter, Davina Maes and Edwin Palm v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Orange County (Case No., 2014-00740258), filed August 18, 2014

• Michelle Cayton v. GNC Holdings, Inc. et al., California Superior Court, Los Angeles County (Case No. BC555230), filed August 19, 2014

Putative Class Action Claims:

• Michael Campos, Jennifer Southwick, and others v. USPLabs and GNC Corp., United States District Court for the Southern District of California (Case No. 13CV2891 DMS BLM), filed December 5, 2013

• Christopher Lutkus v. USPLabs and GNC Corp., United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida (Case No.  4:13-cv-00627-RH-CAS), filed November 13, 2013

• Sandeep Barot v. USPLabs and General Nutrition Center Holdings, Inc.,  United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 14-cv-00562), filed February 3, 2014

The proceedings associated with these cases, which generally seek indeterminate money damages, are in the early stages, and any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time. We are contractually entitled to indemnification by our third-party vendor with regard to these matters, although our ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against us is dependent upon the creditworthiness of our vendor and/or its insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to its insurer.

Jason Olive v. General Nutrition Corp. In April 2012, Jason Olive filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC482686), for misappropriation of likeness in which the plaintiff alleges that we continued to use his image in stores after the expiration of the license to do so in violation of common law and California statutes. Mr. Olive is seeking compensatory, punitive and statutory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs, and a trial in this matter is currently scheduled for December 2014. As of September 30, 2014, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the disclosures relating to this item from those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth information regarding Holdings’ purchases of shares of common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2014:

	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
July 1 to July 31, 2014	—	—		—	$	250,745,598
August 1 to August 31, 2014	1,092,723	36.61		1,092,723	$	460,000,030
September 1 to September 30, 2014	—	—		—	$	460,000,030
Total	1,092,723	$	36.61	1,092,723

(1) In August 2014, we announced that our board of directors approved a multi-year share repurchase program pursuant to which we were authorized to purchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million shares of common stock during the twenty-four month period ending August 31, 2016 (the “Repurchase Program”). This program replaces our previous repurchase authorization from November 2013. Other than purchases in connection with the Repurchase Program as set forth in the table above, we made no purchases of shares of common stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 4 is not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

None.

Item 6.   Exhibits

Exhibit
No.	Description
10.1	Separation Agreement, dated as of September 10, 2014, by and between General Nutrition Centers, Inc. and Thomas Dowd*
10.2	Separation Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2014, by and between General Nutrition Centers, Inc. and Joseph M. Fortunato*
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1	Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
*	Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the persons undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	GNC HOLDINGS, INC.
	(Registrant)
	/s/ Michael G. Archbold
Date: October 30, 2014	Michael G. Archbold
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer and performing the function of or similar to that of Principal Financial Officer)
	/s/ Patrick A. Fortune
Date: October 30, 2014	Patrick A. Fortune
	Corporate Controller

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EX-10.1

EXECUTION COPY

Separation Agreement and Mutual General Release and Waiver

THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER (this “Release”) is entered into as of the date this Release is executed by Thomas Dowd (the “Executive”), as set forth on the signature page attached to this Release, in favor of GNC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”) and General Nutrition Centers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” and together with Holdings, referred to herein as “GNC”), and, effective as of the Release Effective Date (as defined below), by GNC in favor of the Executive and the Releasors (as defined below). Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Release, all capitalized terms used in this Release but not otherwise defined shall have the meaning set forth in that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of February 29, 2012, by and between the Company and the Executive (the “Employment Agreement”), and for the avoidance of doubt, this Release constitutes the “Release” defined in Section 4.3(d) of the Employment Agreement.

1.    Confirmation of Termination. The Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated as of September 10, 2014 (the “Separation Date”). The Executive acknowledges that the Separation Date is the termination date of his employment for purposes of participation in and coverage under all compensation and benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that GNC shall not have any obligation to rehire the Executive, nor shall GNC have any obligation to consider him for employment, after the Separation Date. The Executive agrees that he will not seek employment with GNC at any time in the future.

2.    Resignation. Effective as of the Separation Date, the Executive hereby resigns as an officer of the Company and all of its Affiliates, as applicable, and from any such positions held with any other entities at the direction of, or as a result of the Executive’s affiliation with, the Company or any of its Affiliates. In addition, the Executive hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Separation Date shall be the date of his termination from all other offices, positions, trusteeships, committee memberships and fiduciary capacities held with, or on behalf of, Holdings or any of its Affiliates. As of the Separation Date, the Executive shall remove from his accounts on any social media platform (including, but not limited to, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn) any indication that he is currently affiliated with GNC and any marks, logos or images associated with GNC or any GNC brand.

3.    Separation Benefits. Assuming that the Executive executes this Release and does not revoke it within the time specified in Section 11 below, then, subject to Section 10 below and the conditions of Section 4.3(c)(vii) of the Employment Agreement, the Executive will be entitled to certain specified payments and benefits (subject to taxes and all applicable withholding requirements), the amounts of which, and the timing of payment of which, are (notwithstanding any provisions of the Employment Agreement to the contrary) in all events as set forth in the attached Exhibit A to this Release, in full satisfaction of all obligations of Holdings, the Company, and any of their Affiliates to the Executive pursuant to the Employment Agreement or otherwise (the “Separation Benefits”).

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4.    General Release and Waiver.

(a)    In consideration of the Separation Benefits, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive for himself and for his heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”), hereby releases, remises, and acquits GNC, and each of the Company Parties (as defined in the Employment Agreement, the singular of which, as used in the Employment Agreement and herein, shall be referred to as a “Company Party”) and all of their respective past, present, and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related business entities, any of their successors and assigns, assets, employee benefit plans or funds, and any of its or their respective past, present, and/or future directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, supervisors, shareholders, investors, legal counsel and any other representatives acting on behalf of the Company or any Company Party (each a “Releasee”) from any and all claims, known or unknown, matured or unmatured, which the Releasors have or may have against any Releasee arising on or prior to the date of this Release and any and all liability which any such Releasee may have to the Executive, whether denominated claims, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages or liabilities arising from any and all bases, however denominated (collectively “Claims”), including but not limited to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended, the Equal Pay Act, as amended, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and/or Delaware General Corporation Law, each as applicable and as amended, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, as amended, the Pennsylvania Equal Pay Law, as amended, or any other Federal, state, or local securities, employment or other law, any common law, public policy, contract (whether oral or written, express or implied), except as expressly excluded below, or tort law, and any other local, state or Federal law, regulation or ordinance having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment and/or the cessation thereof.

(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Release shall not apply to: (i) the Company’s obligations to provide the Executive with the severance payments and benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this Release, as set forth in Exhibit A to this Release, in accordance with its terms and conditions; (ii) the Company’s and/or its insurers’ obligation(s) to provide the Executive indemnification, defense, advancement or reimbursement of expenses to which the Executive is or would be entitled under applicable public law, the Company’s indemnification pursuant to any provisions of the Company’s, Holdings’, or any of their respective Affiliates’ certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or other governing documents, any contract, or any directors and officers liability insurance policies maintained by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing; (iii) any vested, nonforfeitable benefits to which the Executive may be

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entitled pursuant to any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined under ERISA) or the Plan (and the individual grant agreements applicable to the Executive thereunder) maintained by the Company from time to time during the period of the Executive’s employment with the Company in which the Executive has participated and under which the Executive has accrued and become vested in any benefits; or (iv) claims for compensation for injuries that are subject to and compensable solely under the Workers Compensation Law (all items referenced in clauses (i) through (iv) herein, collectively, “Excluded Claims”). This Release covers any and all claims arising from or relating to the Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and all other of the Executive’s service relationships with Holdings and each of its Affiliates, including as a result of the termination of such relationships. The Executive further agrees, promises and covenants that, to the maximum extent permitted by law neither the Executive, nor any person, organization, or other entity acting on the Executive’s behalf has filed or will file, charged or will charge, claimed or will claim, sued or will sue, or caused or will cause or permitted or will permit to be filed, charged or claimed, any action for damages or other relief (including injunctive, declaratory, monetary or other relief) against the Releasees with respect to any Claims other than Excluded Claims. This Release covers any relief, no matter how denominated, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, wages, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, or punitive damages.

5.    Continuing Executive Covenants; Non-Disparagement.

(a)    GNC hereby agrees that, for purposes of Section 5.3(b)(i) and (ii) of the Employment Agreement, and in lieu of anything contrary contained therein, the term “Restricted Period” shall mean the consecutive 180-day period following the Separation Date. . Except as expressly modified by this Section 5(a), the Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is and shall remain subject to the obligations and restrictions of Section 5 of the Employment Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect for the periods set forth therein.

(b)    The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is and shall remain subject to the obligations and restrictions applicable to the Executive after the Separation Date under Section 7 of the Employment Agreement , and the Company agrees and warrants that for so long as the Executive abides by such obligations and restrictions: (i) the Company agrees to provide to the Executive a draft of any public disclosure document (whether on Form 8-K or otherwise) that the Company intends to file regarding the Executive’s termination and resignation, and to discuss any objection thereto with the Executive’s legal counsel; and (ii) the members of the Board, the chief executive officer, and the General Counsel of Holdings, in each case in the scope of their agency as, or in their capacity as, representatives of Holdings and its Affiliates, shall not make any statements, comments or communications in any form, oral, written or electronic to any Media or any customer, client or supplier of the Company or any of its Affiliates, which would disparage the Executive; provided, however, that the terms of this Section 5(b) shall not apply to (x) any communications between GNC and, as applicable, GNC’s attorneys or other persons with whom communications would be subject to a claim of privilege existing under common law, statute or rule of procedure, and (y) any documents required to be filed by GNC with the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that such disclosure is limited to only that which is required to be disclosed. The terms of this Section 5(b) shall also

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not apply to communications made by Holdings or any of its Affiliates (including any individuals referenced in clause (ii) hereof) pursuant to a legal obligation of Holdings or any of its Affiliates, or that is otherwise required by the applicable rules of any national exchange on which the securities of Holdings or any Affiliate thereof is traded, that is or may be disparaging of the Executive; provided that the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to notify the Executive of such required disclosure in advance of being required to make such disclosure, in order to allow the Executive the opportunity to prevent such disclosure.

6.    No Admission. This Release does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing of any kind by Holdings, the Company or any of their Affiliates.

7.    GNC Release.     In consideration of the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Release, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and subject to the execution, without revocation by the Executive, of this Release in accordance with the terms of this Release, effective as of the Release Effective Date, GNC agrees to and does hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the Releasors with respect to and from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, remedies, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses of any kind whatsoever, known or unknown, matured or unmatured, whether in law or equity and whether arising under federal, state or local law, for, upon, or by reason of, any matter, course or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world until the date of execution of this Release relating to the Executive’s employment with GNC and any of its Affiliates, as applicable; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Executive from: (a) the Executive’s obligations or restrictions applicable to the Executive after the Separation Date arising under or referred to in the Employment Agreement and/or the Plan (and the individual grant agreements applicable to the Executive thereunder), or impair the right or ability of GNC to enforce such obligations and/or restrictions in accordance with the terms thereof; (b) claims against the Executive in response to claims by third parties that are not Company Parties involving the Executive’s fraud or willful malfeasance, and (c) claims in response to claims by third parties that are not Company Parties for which the Executive would not be indemnified under applicable law, any provisions of the Company’s, Holdings’, or any of its Affiliates’ certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or other governing documents, any contract, or any directors and officers liability insurance policies maintained by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing.

8.    Heirs and Assigns. The terms of this Release shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

9.    Miscellaneous. This Release will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. If any provision of this Release is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall have no effect; however, the remaining provisions will be enforced to the maximum extent possible. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Release constitutes the complete understanding between the parties with regard to the matters set

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forth herein and, except as otherwise set forth herein, supersede any and all agreements, understandings, and discussions, whether written or oral, between the parties. No other promises or agreements are binding unless in writing and signed by each of the parties after the Release Effective Date (as defined below).

10.    Knowing and Voluntary Waiver. The Executive acknowledges that he: (a) has been afforded at least twenty-one (21) days to review this Release and the opportunity to consult with legal counsel, and is signing this Release knowingly, voluntarily and with his own free will, and with full understanding of its terms and effects; (b) has had answered to his satisfaction any questions he has asked with regard to the meaning and significance of all the terms and conditions of the provisions of this Release and has not relied on any statements or explanations made by any Releasee or their legal counsel; (c) voluntarily accepts the severance and other payments and benefits to which he is entitled under this Release, for the purpose of making full and final settlement of all Claims referred to in Section 4 of this Release and agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions contained in this Release (including, without limitation, the covenants referenced in Section 5 of this Release); (d) he also understands that he has seven (7) days after his execution of this Release to revoke this Release, and that this Release will not become effective, and he will not be entitled to the Separation Benefits, if he exercises his right to revoke his signature within seven (7) days of his execution of this Release; and (e) he understands that such revocation must be delivered in writing as provided in Section 11 below, in order for such revocation to be effective.

11.    Effective Time of Release. The Executive may accept this Release by signing it and returning it to GNC as follows: General Nutrition Centers, Inc., 300 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222; Attention: General Counsel, within twenty-one (21) days of his receipt of the same, which receipt occurred on September 9, 2014. After executing this Release, the Executive will have seven (7) days (the “Revocation Period”) to revoke this Release by indicating his desire to do so in writing delivered to David Gruenstein at the address above (or by electronic mail delivery in “pdf” form to: Gerald-Stubenhofer@gnc-hq.com or by fax at (412) 338-8961 by no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on the seventh (7th) day after the date the Executive signs this Release. The effective date of this Release shall be the eighth (8^th) day after the Executive signs this Release (the “Release Effective Date”). If the last day of the Revocation Period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the last day of the Revocation Period will be deemed to be the next business day. If the Executive does not execute this Release or exercises his right to revoke hereunder, (a) he shall forfeit his right to receive any of the Separation Benefits, and to the extent such Separation Benefits have already been provided, the Executive agrees that he will immediately reimburse the Company for the amounts of such payments and benefits and (b) this Release, including GNC’s release of claims set forth in Section 7 of this Release, shall be immediately void and of no further force and effect.

*    *    *    *    *    *

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BANK.

SIGNATURES ARE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.]

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EXECUTION COPY

Signature Page to Separation Agreement and Mutual General Release and Waiver

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has duly executed this Release on the date indicated as follows:

DATED this 10^th day of September, 2014, by:

EXECUTIVE: _/s/ Thomas Dowd______________

     Thomas Dowd

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GNC has duly executed this Release, to be effective as of the Release Effective Date.

GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, INC.

By: /s/ Michael G. Archbold 
Title: Chief Executive Officer

GNC HOLDINGS, INC.

By: /s/ Michael G. Archbold 
Title: Chief Executive Officer

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EXECUTION COPY

Exhibit A –

Separation Agreement and Mutual General Release and Waiver

Separation Benefits

Accrued Obligations: A lump sum payment equal to the sum of (x) any Base Salary amount accrued in respect of the period of the Executive’s service with the Company through the Separation Date, which remains unpaid on such date, plus (y) any amount due under the applicable vacation policy of the Company in respect of unused vacation days/paid time off accrued by the Executive, which remain unused on the Separation Date, plus (z) reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred pursuant to the policies referenced in Section 3.3 of the Employment Agreement through the Separation Date. These “Accrued Obligations” shall be paid in full on the Release Effective Date.

Severance Payment: The Company shall pay the Executive, (1) an amount equal to $301,875.00, with such amount to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices (the “installment payments”) and (2) a lump sum payment equal to $215,625.00, with such amount to be paid on April 1, 2015. In accordance with Section 4.3(c)(vii) of the Employment Agreement, all installment payments that would otherwise have been paid between the Separation Date and the 60^th day following the Separation Date shall be paid in a lump sum on such 60^th day following the Separation Date, and thereafter any remaining installment payments shall commence on the first regular payroll date following such 60^th day through the last regular payroll date occurring on or prior to April 1, 2015.

Reimbursement of COBRA Continuation Coverage (Health Insurance) Premiums: Through September 1, 2015, the Company shall provide the Executive with the payments set forth in Section 4.3(c)(v) of the Employment Agreement, subject to and in accordance with the provisions thereof.

Attorney’s Fees: Promptly following the Release Effective Date, the Company shall pay, or reimburse the Executive, for any legal fees and disbursements that the Executive may have incurred in the negotiation of the Release, up to (in the aggregate) $30,000.00.

Retention of Current Cellphone and Cellphone Number: The Company and the Executive shall cooperate to transfer all rights to and in the Company cellphone currently assigned to the Executive, including the cellphone number associated therewith, to be effective upon the Release Effective Date; provided that, as of the Separation Date, (1) the Company shall cease to have any obligations or liability with respect to such cellphone and cellphone number, and any cellphone or other services that are related to such cellphone number and (2) the Executive shall have provided the cellphone to the Company’s technology group to remove all Confidential Information contained in such cellphone.

*    *    *    *    *    *

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EX-10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

Mutual General Release and Waiver

THIS MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER (this “Release”) is entered into effective as of August 12, 2014, by Joseph M. Fortunato (the “Executive”) in favor of GNC Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) and General Nutrition Centers, Inc. (“Centers,” and together with Holdings, referred to herein as “GNC”), and, as of the Release Effective Date (as defined below), by GNC in favor of the Executive and the Releasors (as defined below).

1.    Confirmation of Termination. The Executive’s employment with Centers is terminated as of August 4, 2014 (the “Termination Date”). The Executive acknowledges that the Termination Date is the termination date of his employment for purposes of participation in and coverage under all benefit plans and programs sponsored by or through Centers. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Centers shall not have any obligation to rehire the Executive, nor shall GNC have any obligation to consider him for employment, after the Termination Date. The Executive agrees that he will not seek employment with GNC at any time in the future.

2.    Resignation. Effective as of the Termination Date, the Executive hereby resigns as an officer and director of Holdings, Centers and any of their Affiliates (as defined in the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2011, by and among Centers, Holdings and the Executive (the “Employment Agreement”)) and from any such positions held with any other entities at the direction of, or as a result of the Executive’s affiliation with, GNC or any of its Affiliates. The Executive agrees to promptly execute and deliver such other documents as GNC shall reasonably request to evidence such resignations. In addition, the Executive hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Termination Date shall be date of his termination from all other offices, positions, trusteeships, committee memberships and fiduciary capacities held with, or on behalf of, GNC or any of its Affiliates.

3.    Termination Benefits. Assuming that the Executive executes this Release and does not revoke it within the time specified in Section 11 below, then, subject to Section 10 below, the Executive will be entitled to the payments and benefits (subject to taxes and all applicable withholding requirements) set forth under Section 4.3(d) of the Employment Agreement, the amounts of which, and the timing of payment of which, are (notwithstanding any provision of the Employment Agreement to the contrary) in all events as set forth in the attached Exhibit A to this Release (the “Termination Benefits”).

4.    General Release and Waiver. In consideration of the Termination Benefits, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Executive for himself and for his heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”), hereby releases, remises, and acquits (a) GNC, and any Company Party (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and all of their respective past, present, and future subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related business entities, any of their successors and assigns, assets, employee benefit plans or funds, and any of its or their respective past, present, and/or future directors, officers, fiduciaries, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, supervisors, shareholders, investors, legal representatives and employees, acting on behalf of GNC or any Company Party, and (b) Ares, Ares Management, Inc., Ares Management

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EXECUTION VERSION

LLC and OTPP and their respective affiliates and any of their successors and assigns or assets, and any of their present, and/or future directors, officers, fiduciaries, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, supervisors, shareholders, investors, legal representatives and employees, acting on behalf of any of them (each a “Releasee”) from any and all claims, known or unknown, which the Releasors have or may have against any Releasee arising on or prior to the date of this Release and any and all liability which any such Releasee may have to the Executive, whether denominated claims, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages or liabilities arising from any and all bases, however denominated, including but not limited to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended, the Equal Pay Act, as amended, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (excluding claims for accrued, vested benefits under any employee benefit or pension plan of the Released Parties subject to the terms and conditions of such plan and applicable law), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, as amended, the Pennsylvania Equal Pay Law, as amended, or any other Federal, state, or local law and any workers’ compensation or disability claims under any such laws. This Release is for any and all claims arising from or relating to the Executive’s employment relationship with Centers and his service relationship as an officer or director of Centers or Holdings, or as a result of the termination of such relationships. The Executive further agrees that the Executive will not file or permit to be filed on the Executive’s behalf any such claim. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence or any other provision of this Release, this Release is not intended to interfere with the Executive’s right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in connection with any claim he believes he may have against any Releasee. However, by executing this Release, the Executive hereby waives the right to recover in any proceeding the Executive may bring before the EEOC or any state human rights commission or in any proceeding brought by the EEOC or any state human rights commission on the Executive’s behalf. This Release is for any relief, no matter how denominated, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, wages, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, or punitive damages. This Release shall not apply to the obligation of Centers to provide the Executive with the Termination Benefits and any provision relating thereto under the Employment Agreement (except to the extent expressly modified as set forth in Exhibit A to this Release) or to the Executive’s rights in his capacity as a stockholder of Holdings or to indemnification pursuant to any provisions of Centers’, Holdings’, or any Company Party’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or other governing documents, any contract, or any directors and officers liability insurance policies maintained by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing.

5.    Continuing Covenants. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he remains subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 7.1 of the Employment Agreement, which remain in full force and effect for the periods set forth therein.

6.    No Admission. This Release does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing of any kind by GNC or any of its Affiliates.

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EXECUTION VERSION

7.    GNC Release.     In consideration of the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Release, and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and subject to the execution, without revocation by the Executive, of this Release in accordance with the terms of this Release, effective as of the Release Effective Date, GNC agrees to and does hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the Releasors with respect to and from any and all charges, complaints, claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, remedies, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, demands, costs, losses, debts and expenses of any kind whatsoever, known or unknown, whether in law or equity and whether arising under federal, state or local law in law, for, upon, or by reason of, any matter, course or thing whatsoever from the beginning of the world until the date of execution of this Release relating to the Executive’s employment with GNC; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Executive from: (a) the obligations or restrictions arising under or referred to in the Employment Agreement and/or the Equity Incentive Plan (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or impair the right or ability of GNC to enforce such obligations and/or restrictions in accordance with the terms thereof; (b) claims against the Executive involving fraud or willful malfeasance, and (c) claims for which the Executive would not be indemnified under applicable law, any provisions of Centers’, Holdings’, or any Company Party’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, or other governing documents, any contract, or any directors and officers liability insurance policies maintained by or for the benefit of any of the foregoing.

8.    Heirs and Assigns. The terms of this Release shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

9.    Miscellaneous. This Release will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. If any provision of this Release is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, such provision shall have no effect; however, the remaining provisions will be enforced to the maximum extent possible. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Release constitutes the complete understanding between the parties with regard to the matters set forth herein and, except as otherwise set forth herein, supersede any and all agreements, understandings, and discussions, whether written or oral, between the parties. No other promises or agreements are binding unless in writing and signed by each of the parties after the Release Effective Date (as defined below).

10.    Knowing and Voluntary Waiver. The Executive acknowledges that he: (a) has carefully read this Release in its entirety; (b) has had an opportunity to consider it for at least twenty-one (21) days; (c) is hereby advised by GNC in writing to consult with an attorney of his choosing in connection with this Release; (d) fully understands the significance of all of the terms and conditions of this Release and has discussed them with his independent legal counsel, or had a reasonable opportunity to do so; (e) has had answered to his satisfaction any questions he has asked with regard to the meaning and significance of any of the provisions of this Release and has not relied on any statements or explanations made by any Releasee or their counsel; (f) understands that he has seven (7) days in which to revoke this Release (as described

3

EXECUTION VERSION

in Section 10) after signing it and (g) is signing this Release voluntarily and of his own free will and agrees to abide by all the terms and conditions contained herein.

11.    Effective Time of Release. The Executive may accept this Release by signing it and returning it to the Company, care of Michael J. Segal, Esq., Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz at 51 West 52^nd Street, New York, NY 10019, within twenty-one (21) days of his receipt of the same, which receipt occurred on August 4, 2014. After executing this Release, the Executive will have seven (7) days (the “Revocation Period”) to revoke this Release by indicating his desire to do so in writing delivered to Michael J. Segal at the address above (or by electronic mail delivery in “pdf” form to: MJSegal@wlrk.com or by fax at (212) 403-2345) by no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on the seventh (7th) day after the date the Executive signs this Release. The effective date of this Release shall be the eighth (8^th) day after the Executive signs this Release (the “Release Effective Date”). If the last day of the Revocation Period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the last day of the Revocation Period will be deemed to be the next business day. If the Executive does not execute this Release or exercises his right to revoke hereunder, he shall forfeit his right to receive any of the Termination Benefits, and to the extent such Termination Benefits have already been provided, the Executive agrees that he will immediately reimburse Centers for the amounts of such payment.

*    *    *    *    *    *

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BANK.

SIGNATURES ARE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE.]

4

EXECUTION VERSION

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has duly executed this Release as of the date first set forth above.

EXECUTIVE: _/s/ Joseph M. Fortunato______        

Joseph M. Fortunato

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, GNC has duly executed this Release as of the Release Effective Date.

GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, INC.

By:     /s/ Gerald J. Stubenhofer, Jr.        

Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

GNC HOLDINGS, INC.

By:     /s/ Gerald J. Stubenhofer, Jr.        

Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

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EXECUTION VERSION

Exhibit A

Termination Benefits

Accrued Obligations: unpaid base salary, plus a lump sum payment for any unused vacation, plus reimbursement for expenses incurred through the Termination Date, payable on the Release Effective Date.

Lump Sum Severance Payment: two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s (x) current annual base salary ($1,100,000) and (y) average annual bonus paid or payable with respect to the Company’s most recent three (3) fiscal years ($1,269,601), payable on the Release Effective Date. Total payment amount:

$4,739,202.

Reimbursement of COBRA (Health Insurance) Premiums: The Company will be responsible for or reimburse the Executive for each month of COBRA premium cost paid by the Executive during the COBRA period.

Accelerated Vesting of Stock Options and Restricted Stock: Vesting of all unvested Holdings stock options and restricted stock that the Executive holds as of the Termination Date, to the extent that such awards would have become vested within the following 24 months if the Executive had remained employed. Below please find a summary of all vested and outstanding stock options held by the Executive on the Termination Date, and those unvested stock options and restricted stock awards that become vested upon the effectiveness of the Release.

Form of Equity Incentive Award	Date of Grant of Equity Incentive Award	Number of Shares of Company Stock Subject to Vested Equity Incentive Award Agreements as of July 22, 2014	Number of Shares of Company Stock Subject to Equity Incentive Awards that become Vested pursuant to Employment Agreement on Effective Date of Release	Per Share Exercise Price (Options Only) on Separation Date ($)
Restricted Stock	December 12, 2011	0	10,570
Options	March 31, 2011	62,500	62,500	$16.00
Options	March 31, 2011	156,496	62,500	$24.00
Options	December 12, 2011	72,954	109,430	$27.70
Options	November 5, 2012	18,784	56, 350	$36.16

6

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael G. Archbold, certify that:

1.          I have reviewed this Form 10-Q of GNC Holdings, Inc.;

2.          Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.          Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.          The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5.          The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

	/s/ Michael G. Archbold
Date: October 30, 2014	Michael G. Archbold
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer and performing the function of or similar to that of Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of GNC Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Michael G. Archbold, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Michael G. Archbold
Name:	Michael G. Archbold
Title:	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer and performing the function of or similar to that of Principal Financial Officer)
Date:	October 30, 2014

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

XML

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details 2) (Stock Option, USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Option
Total Options
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	1,887,154
Granted (in shares)	175,000
Exercised (in shares)	(896,861)
Forfeited (in shares)	(290,014)
Outstanding, ending of period (in shares)	875,279
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	272,852
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 24.14
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 33.13
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 22.60
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 30.12
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 25.52
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 20.40
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	5 years 8 months 12 days
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	$ 11,571
Exercisable at the end of the period	$ 5,004

XML

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2014	$ 2,726
2015	10,668
2016	9,790
2017	7,774
2018	7,670
Thereafter	97,276
Total	$ 135,904

XML

SEGMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Key Financial Information of the Segments

The following table represents key financial information of the Company’s segments: 

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Retail	$	480,691		$	487,271		$	1,495,197		$	1,483,228
Franchise	114,106			117,780			327,763			335,985
Manufacturing/Wholesale:
Intersegment revenues	62,247			66,231			194,862			199,248
Third Party	61,529			69,450			183,039			196,013
Subtotal Manufacturing/Wholesale	123,776			135,681			377,901			395,261
Subtotal segment revenues	718,573			740,732			2,200,861			2,214,474
Elimination of intersegment revenues	(62,247		)	(66,231		)	(194,862		)	(199,248		)
Total revenue	$	656,326		$	674,501		$	2,005,999		$	2,015,226
Operating income:
Retail	$	89,370		$	92,580		$	277,916		$	291,507
Franchise	40,316			41,616			121,639			116,694
Manufacturing/Wholesale	22,917			28,436			69,359			76,869
Unallocated corporate and other costs:
Warehousing and distribution costs	(17,277		)	(17,513		)	(50,258		)	(50,737		)
Corporate costs	(19,128		)	(19,145		)	(60,152		)	(60,168		)
Management realignment	(7,473		)	—			(7,473		)	—
Subtotal unallocated corporate and
other costs	(43,878		)	(36,658		)	(117,883		)	(110,905		)
Total operating income	108,725			125,974			351,031			374,165
Interest expense, net	11,781			11,237			34,987			33,353
Income before income taxes	$	96,944		$	114,737		$	316,044		$	340,812

XML

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details 5) (2011 Stock Plan, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Time Vesting and Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	141,298
Granted (in shares)	151,412
Vested ( in shares)	(1,174)
Forfeited (in shares)	(164,296)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	127,240
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 40.81
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 43.99
Vested ( in dollars per share)	$ 46.47
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 43.45
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 41.13
Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Time Vesting and Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	55,366
Granted (in shares)	130,798
Vested ( in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	(129,171)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	56,993
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 45.94
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 44.62
Vested ( in dollars per share)	$ 0.00
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 45.26
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 44.45

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 Environmental Issue	Nov. 04, 2008 California Wage And Break Claims plaintiff	Jun. 30, 2013 California Wage And Break Claims plaintiff	Sep. 30, 2014 California Wage And Break Claims plaintiff	Jan. 07, 2013 California Wage And Break Claims claim	Sep. 30, 2014 Product Liability	Sep. 30, 2014 Product Liability Hydroxycut Claims product report lawsuit action claim	Sep. 30, 2014 Product Liability DMAA Claims action claim lawsuit	Oct. 13, 2014 Subsequent Event claim
Commitments and contingencies
Deductible/retention per claim out of total product liability insurance							$ 4,000,000.0
Aggregate cap on retained loss for deductible/retention per claim out of total product liability insurance							10,000,000.0
Number of reports of liver injuries								23
Number of Hydroxycut-branded products recalled								14
Number of pending lawsuits in which company is named					71			76	21
Number of individual, largely personal injury claims pending								70	18
Number of putative class action cases pending against the company								6	3
Number of putative class action cases where court approved a settlement										2
Number of plaintiffs who filed individual claims against the company			98
Number of plaintiffs whose claim trial conducted				7
Number of plaintiffs whose claims have been resolved					20
Loss Contingency, Number of State And Federal Wage Claims						1
Accrued contingent liability					0
Amount of future purchase commitments	3,200,000
Cost of remediation		$ 0

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The year-end consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements in Holdings’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes to the application of significant accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates since December 31, 2013.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of a normal and recurring nature) that management considers necessary for a fair statement of financial information for the interim periods. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation.The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and all of its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has no relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Some of the most significant estimates pertaining to the Company include the valuation of inventories, the allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes. On a regular basis, management reviews its estimates utilizing currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such reviews and if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management realignment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred $7.5 million of expenses associated with the changes among the executive leadership team. These expenses related principally to $5.7 million in executive severance, $0.5 million of accelerated non-cash stock-based compensation expense net of forfeitures, and $1.3 million for the recruiting and hiring of new executive leadership.

International franchise receivable reserve. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded a $4.4 million reserve against receivables with its international franchisees. An allowance for international franchisees is calculated based on unpaid, non-collateralized amounts associated with their receivable balance. The collectability of receivables from certain international franchisees has become uncertain due principally to the current financial condition of our franchisees.

Reversal of contingent purchase price. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reversed $4.3 million of contingent purchase price associated with Discount Supplements based on changes in the probability that all required targets of the purchase agreement would be met ("Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price").

Other (Income) Expense, net. Other (income) expense, which includes the gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees and foreign currency (gain) loss, was a gain of $4.0 million and $9.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to a gain of $0.8 million and $1.1 million for the same periods in 2013, respectively.

Revision.Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of prior year periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation. Specifically, the gain resulting from the sale of Company-owned stores is presented in "Other (income) expense, net" on the consolidated statements of income and the related cash proceeds are presented in "Other investing activities" on the consolidated statements of cash flows. These revisions are not material to any of the prior year periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standard ASU 2013-11, regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This standard requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) or tax credit carryforward whenever the NOL or tax credit carryforward would be available to reduce the additional taxable income or tax due if the tax position is disallowed. This accounting standard update requires entities to assess whether to net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset as of the reporting date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-09, which updates revenue recognition guidance relating to contracts with customers. This standard states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-12, which updates guidance on performance stock awards. The update states that for any award that has a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite period, that performance target should still be treated as a performance condition. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

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SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 segment	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments			3
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 656,326	$ 674,501	$ 2,005,999	$ 2,015,226
Operating income:
Operating income	108,725	125,974	351,031	374,165
Restructuring Charges	(7,473)	0	(7,473)	0
Interest expense, net	11,781	11,237	34,987	33,353
Income before income taxes	96,944	114,737	316,044	340,812
Operating Segment
Revenue:
Total revenue	718,573	740,732	2,200,861	2,214,474
Operating Segment | Intersegment Revenues
Revenue:
Total revenue	(62,247)	(66,231)	(194,862)	(199,248)
Operating Segment | Retail
Revenue:
Total revenue	480,691	487,271	1,495,197	1,483,228
Operating income:
Operating income	89,370	92,580	277,916	291,507
Operating Segment | Franchise
Revenue:
Total revenue	114,106	117,780	327,763	335,985
Operating income:
Operating income	40,316	41,616	121,639	116,694
Operating Segment | Manufacturing/ Wholesale
Revenue:
Total revenue	123,776	135,681	377,901	395,261
Operating income:
Operating income	22,917	28,436	69,359	76,869
Operating Segment | Manufacturing/ Wholesale | Intersegment Revenues
Revenue:
Total revenue	62,247	66,231	194,862	199,248
Operating Segment | Manufacturing/ Wholesale | Third Party
Revenue:
Total revenue	61,529	69,450	183,039	196,013
Corporate, Non-Segment
Operating income:
Warehousing and distribution costs	(17,277)	(17,513)	(50,258)	(50,737)
Corporate costs	(19,128)	(19,145)	(60,152)	(60,168)
Restructuring Charges	(7,473)	0	(7,473)	0
Subtotal unallocated corporate and other costs	$ (43,878)	$ (36,658)	$ (117,883)	$ (110,905)

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details) (USD $)			9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Franchise Stores store	Sep. 30, 2013 Franchise Stores store	Apr. 17, 2014 The Health Store	Apr. 17, 2014 The Health Store
Acquisitions
Number of franchise stores acquired			22	13
Total purchase prices associated with acquisitions			$ 3,100,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 8,900,000
Cash paid			1,600,000	1,300,000
Goodwill	673,583,000	666,346,000				6,900,000
Amortizable intangible assets						800,000
Working capital						$ 300,000

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INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished product ready for sale	$ 512,887	$ 458,366
Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials	72,558	81,575
Packaging supplies	7,348	7,975
Total	$ 592,793	$ 547,916

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INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 32,630,000	$ 41,704,000	$ 111,940,000	$ 123,448,000
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)			35.40%	36.20%
Reversal of contingent purchase price	4,313,000	0	4,313,000	0
Unrecognized tax benefits	11,300,000		11,300,000		10,800,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate	11,300,000		11,300,000
Interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits	$ 4,200,000		$ 4,200,000		$ 4,200,000

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2013	$ 666,346
Translation effect of exchange rates	(944)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	673,583
Acquired Franchise Stores
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	1,328
Acquisition of The Health Store
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	6,853
Retail
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2013	346,202
Translation effect of exchange rates	(944)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	353,439
Retail | Acquired Franchise Stores
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	1,328
Retail | Acquisition of The Health Store
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	6,853
Franchising
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2013	117,303
Translation effect of exchange rates	0
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	117,303
Franchising | Acquired Franchise Stores
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	0
Franchising | Acquisition of The Health Store
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	0
Manufacturing/ Wholesale
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2013	202,841
Translation effect of exchange rates	0
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	202,841
Manufacturing/ Wholesale | Acquired Franchise Stores
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	0
Manufacturing/ Wholesale | Acquisition of The Health Store
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquired goodwill	$ 0

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 Operating Agreements	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Intangibles	Sep. 30, 2014 Retail Brand	Dec. 31, 2013 Retail Brand	Sep. 30, 2014 Franchise Brand	Dec. 31, 2013 Franchise Brand
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)	$ 720,000			$ 500,000	$ 500,000	$ 220,000	$ 220,000
Balance at the end of the period (unaudited) (in usd)	720,000			500,000	500,000	220,000	220,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)		125,665	17,109
Acquired franchise stores	635	0	635
Acquisition of The Health Store	788	0	788
Amortization expense	(8,145)	(4,990)	(3,155)
Translation effect of exchange rates	(148)	0	(148)
Balance at the end of the period (unaudited) (in usd)	135,904	120,675	15,229
Finite-Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)	862,774
Balance at the end of the period (in usd)	$ 855,904

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NATURE OF BUSINESS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

NATURE OF BUSINESS

NATURE OF BUSINESS

General Nature of Business.GNC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings,” and collectively with its subsidiaries and, unless the context requires otherwise, its and their respective predecessors, the “Company”), is a global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, which include: vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements, sports nutrition products, diet products and other wellness products.

The Company is vertically integrated, as its operations consist of purchasing raw materials, formulating and manufacturing products and selling the finished products through its three segments: Retail, Franchising and Manufacturing/Wholesale. Corporate retail store operations are located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Ireland, which began in 2014 with the acquisition of THSD d/b/a The Health Store ("The Health Store"). In addition, the Company offers products domestically through GNC.com, LuckyVitamin Corp. ("Lucky Vitamin"), www.drugstore.com, and internationally in the United Kingdom, which began in 2013 with the acquisition of Discount Supplements, Ltd. (“Discount Supplements”). Franchise stores are located in the United States and over 50 other countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made). The Company operates its primary manufacturing facilities in South Carolina and distribution centers in Arizona, Indiana, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The Company manufactures the majority of its branded products, but also merchandises various third-party products. Additionally, the Company licenses the use of its trademarks and trade names.

The processing, formulation, packaging, labeling and advertising of the Company’s products are subject to regulation by various federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. These activities are also regulated by various agencies of the states and localities in which the Company’s products are sold.

Recent Significant Transactions.In August 2014, the board of directors of Holdings approved a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of Holdings' common stock. This replaces the repurchase program established in November 2013. Holdings repurchased $230.3 million of common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and has utilized $40.0 million of the current repurchase program.

In October 2013, the Company acquired Discount Supplements, an online retailer of multi-brand sports nutrition products in the United Kingdom. The aggregate purchase price of Discount Supplements was $33.3 million.

On April 17, 2014, the Company acquired The Health Store, a nine store chain based in Dublin, Ireland. The aggregate purchase price of The Health Store was $8.9 million.

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)	$ 720,000
Balance at the end of the period (unaudited) (in usd)	720,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	23 years 4 months 24 days
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(62,098)	(54,016)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	135,904
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill)	918,002	916,790
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	855,904	862,774
Operating Agreements
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	120,675	125,665
Retail Agreements
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	30 years 3 months 18 days
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	31,000	31,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(8,091)	(7,301)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	22,909	23,699
Franchise Agreements
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	25 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	70,000	70,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(21,117)	(19,017)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	48,883	50,983
Manufacturing Agreements
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	25 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	70,000	70,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(21,117)	(19,017)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	48,883	50,983
Other Intangibles
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	8 years 2 months 12 days
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	20,904	20,327
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,664)	(3,995)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	14,240	16,332
Franchise Rights
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	3 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	6,098	5,463
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,109)	(4,686)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Carrying Amount	989	777
Brands - Retail
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)		500,000
Balance at the end of the period (unaudited) (in usd)	500,000	500,000
Brands - Franchise
Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Balance at beginning of the period (in usd)		220,000
Balance at the end of the period (unaudited) (in usd)	$ 220,000	$ 220,000

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details 3) (Employee Stock Option)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option
Stock-based compensation plans
Dividend yield	1.90%
Expected option life	4 years 9 months 12 days
Volatility factor percentage of market price	31.10%
Discount rate	1.70%

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,243	$ 226,217
Receivables, net	139,719	144,833
Inventories (Note 3)	592,793	547,916
Prepaids and other current assets	37,909	47,081
Total current assets	918,664	966,047
Long-term assets:
Goodwill (Note 4)	673,583	666,346
Brands (Note 4)	720,000	720,000
Other intangible assets, net (Note 4)	135,904	142,774
Property, plant and equipment, net	230,817	206,754
Other long-term assets	42,015	38,426
Total long-term assets	1,802,319	1,774,300
Total assets	2,720,983	2,740,347
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	147,805	135,164
Current portion, long-term debt (Note 5)	4,793	5,443
Deferred revenue and other current liabilities	113,078	106,459
Total current liabilities	265,676	247,066
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt (Note 5)	1,338,605	1,341,656
Deferred tax liabilities, net	285,447	282,377
Other long-term liabilities	60,510	53,669
Total long-term liabilities	1,684,562	1,677,702
Total liabilities	1,950,238	1,924,768
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized:
Class A, 113,912 shares issued and 89,587 shares outstanding and 24,325 shares held in treasury at September 30, 2014 and 112,961 shares issued and 93,989 shares outstanding and 18,972 shares held in treasury at December 31, 2013	113	112
Paid-in-capital	875,721	847,886
Retained earnings	860,818	700,108
Treasury stock, at cost	(964,827)	(734,482)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,080)	1,955
Total stockholders’ equity	770,745	815,579
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,720,983	$ 2,740,347

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (Scenario, Forecast, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 23, 2014
Scenario, Forecast
Subsequent events
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Treasury Stock USD ($)	Paid-in- Capital USD ($)	Retained Earnings USD ($)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) USD ($)	Class A Common Stock	Class A Common Stock Common Stock USD ($)
Balance (in usd) at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 882,039	$ (423,900)	$ 810,094	$ 492,687	$ 3,047		$ 111
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012							99,244,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Comprehensive income (loss)	216,486			217,364	(878)
Repurchase of treasury stock (in shares)							(5,328,000)
Repurchase of treasury stock	(238,406)	(238,406)
Common stock dividends	(43,344)			(43,344)
Conversions to common stock (in shares)							959,000
Conversions to common stock	21,245		21,244				1
Non-cash stock-based compensation	5,861		5,861
Balance (in usd) at Sep. 30, 2013	843,881	(662,306)	837,199	666,707	2,169		112
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013							94,875,000
Balance (in usd) at Dec. 31, 2013	815,579	(734,482)	847,886	700,108	1,955		112
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013						93,989,000	93,989,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Comprehensive income (loss)	201,069			204,104	(3,035)
Repurchase of treasury stock (in shares)							(5,326,000)
Repurchase of treasury stock	(230,345)	(230,345)
Common stock dividends	(43,394)			(43,394)
Conversions to common stock (in shares)							924,000
Conversions to common stock	22,691		22,690				1
Non-cash stock-based compensation	5,145		5,145
Balance (in usd) at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 770,745	$ (964,827)	$ 875,721	$ 860,818	$ (1,080)		$ 113
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014						89,587,000	89,587,000

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LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument
Total debt	$ 1,343,398	$ 1,347,099
Less: current maturities	(4,793)	(5,443)
Long-term debt	1,338,605	1,341,656
Senior Credit Facility
Debt Instrument
Total debt	1,343,110	1,345,987
Other
Debt Instrument
Total debt	$ 288	$ 1,112

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LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following: 

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Senior Credit Facility	$	1,343,110		$	1,345,987
Other	288			1,112
Total debt	1,343,398			1,347,099
Less: current maturities	(4,793		)	(5,443		)
Long-term debt	$	1,338,605		$	1,341,656

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Carrying Amount
Actual and estimated fair values of the financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,243	$ 226,217
Receivables, net	139,719	144,833
Franchise notes receivable, net	18,286	10,163
Accounts payable	147,805	135,164
Long-term debt (including current portion)	1,343,398	1,347,099
Fair Value
Actual and estimated fair values of the financial instruments
Cash and cash equivalents	148,243	226,217
Receivables, net	139,719	144,833
Franchise notes receivable, net	18,286	10,163
Accounts payable	147,805	135,164
Long-term debt (including current portion)	$ 1,306,455	$ 1,343,732

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Schedule of Stock Options Under All Plans

The following table sets forth a summary of stock options under all plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

	Total Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,887,154		$	24.14
Granted	175,000		33.13
Exercised	(896,861	)	22.60
Forfeited	(290,014	)	30.12
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	875,279		$	25.52	5.7	$	11,571
Exercisable at September 30, 2014	272,852		$	20.40	4.5	$	5,004

Valuation Assumptions Used for Stock Option Grants

The assumptions used in the Company's Black Scholes valuation related to stock option grants made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:

Dividend yield	1.9%
Expected option life	4.8 years
Volatility factor percentage of market price	31.1%
Discount rate	1.7%

Summary of Restricted Stock Awards Granted Under the 2011 Stock Plan and Related Information

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock awards granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	114,981		$	25.16
Granted	10,404		36.52
Vested	(32,165	)	30.75
Forfeited	(46,474	)	24.04
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	46,746		$	24.96

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	141,298		$	40.81	55,366		$	45.94
Granted	151,412		43.99		130,798		44.62
Vested	(1,174	)	46.47		—		—
Forfeited	(164,296	)	43.45		(129,171	)	45.26
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	127,240		$	41.13	56,993		$	44.45

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 204,104	$ 217,364
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	41,418	37,922
Amortization of debt costs	1,343	1,887
Increase in provision for inventory losses	16,129	13,315
Gain on sale of corporate owned stores to franchisees	(9,662)	(946)
International franchise receivable reserves (Note 2)	4,446	363
Reversal of contingent purchase price (Note 2)	(4,313)	0
Decrease (increase) in receivables	1,288	(23,567)
Increase in inventory	(62,513)	(66,304)
Decrease in prepaids and other current assets	9,898	4,217
Increase in accounts payable	8,863	36,091
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and other current liabilities	8,518	(13,021)
Other operating activities	18,495	8,827
Net cash provided by operating activities	238,014	216,148
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(55,236)	(33,631)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(6,402)	0
Other investing activities	631	(633)
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,007)	(34,264)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividends paid to shareholders	(43,287)	(43,309)
Payments on long-term debt	(4,243)	(2,850)
Proceeds from exercised stock options	20,186	10,282
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	2,504	10,963
Repurchase of treasury stock	(230,345)	(238,406)
Net cash used in financing activities	(255,185)	(263,320)
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	204	573
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(77,974)	(80,863)
Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents	226,217	158,541
Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents	$ 148,243	$ 77,678

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, shares issued	113,912,000	112,961,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	89,587,000	93,989,000
Common stock, shares held in treasury	24,325,000	18,972,000

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INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized $111.9 million of income tax expense (or 35.4% of pre-tax income) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $123.4 million (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2013. The decrease in the tax rate is principally due to reductions in state taxes and the permanent difference related to the non-taxable Reversal of Contingent Purchase Price liability of $4.3 million.

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal tax return and various consolidated and separate tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the state, local and international jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company’s 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company has various state, local and international jurisdiction tax years open to examination (the earliest open period is 2009), and the Company also has certain state and local jurisdictions currently under audit. As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that it has appropriately reserved for potential federal, state and international income tax exposures.

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $11.3 million and $10.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $11.3 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had accrued approximately $4.2 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, for potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to the ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions, amounts previously accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	GNC HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001502034
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2014
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		88,862,489
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 23, 2014, the board of directors authorized and declared a cash dividend for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.16 per share of common stock, payable on or about December 26, 2014 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 12, 2014.

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Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 656,326	$ 674,501	$ 2,005,999	$ 2,015,226
distribution and occupancy	408,578	421,311	1,245,953	1,250,191
Gross profit	247,748	253,190	760,046	765,035
Compensation and related benefits	82,331	79,283	245,896	239,932
Advertising and promotion	20,319	16,751	59,408	53,473
Other selling, general and administrative	32,814	31,798	105,615	98,182
Management realignment (Note 2)	7,473	0	7,473	0
International franchise receivable reserves (Note 2)	4,446	163	4,446	363
Reversal of contingent purchase price (Note 2)	(4,313)	0	(4,313)	0
Other (income) expense, net (Note 2)	(4,047)	(779)	(9,510)	(1,080)
Operating income	108,725	125,974	351,031	374,165
Interest expense, net (Note 5)	11,781	11,237	34,987	33,353
Income before income taxes	96,944	114,737	316,044	340,812
Income tax expense (Note 10)	32,630	41,704	111,940	123,448
Net income	$ 64,314	$ 73,033	$ 204,104	$ 217,364
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.77	$ 2.24	$ 2.24
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 2.23	$ 2.22
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	89,814	95,183	91,056	97,189
Diluted (in shares)	90,233	96,078	91,635	98,096
Dividends declared per share: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.15	$ 0.48	$ 0.45

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LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE

LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE

Long-term debt consisted of the following: 

	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Senior Credit Facility	$	1,343,110		$	1,345,987
Other	288			1,112
Total debt	1,343,398			1,347,099
Less: current maturities	(4,793		)	(5,443		)
Long-term debt	$	1,338,605		$	1,341,656

In 2013, the Company amended and restated its existing $1.4 billion term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) to, among other amendments, increase borrowings by $252.5 million and extend the maturity date of the Term Loan Facility to March 2019. The Company also increased the amount available for borrowing under the $80.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Credit Facility”) to $130.0 million, extended the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to March 2017, and effected changes in the interest rates applicable to amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, net interest expense was $35.0 million and $33.4 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of interest on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. Interest under both the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility is based on variable rates. At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the interest rate under the Term Loan Facility was 3.25%. The Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn and had outstanding letters of credit of $1.1 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility was 0.5%, and the outstanding letters of credit fee was 2.50%.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that it is in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Credit Facility.

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company acquired 22 and 13 franchise stores, respectively. These acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and the Company recorded the acquired inventory, fixed assets, franchise rights and goodwill, with an applicable reduction to receivables and cash. The total purchase price associated with these acquisitions was $3.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of which $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, was paid in cash.

On April 17, 2014, the Company acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of The Health Store, which was accounted for as a business combination. The total purchase price for this acquisition was approximately $8.9 million. Of the purchase price, $6.9 million was allocated to goodwill, $0.8 million to amortizable intangibles, and $0.3 million to working capital.

 The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill activity:

	Retail			Franchising		Manufacturing/ Wholesale		Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	346,202			$	117,303	$	202,841	$	666,346
Acquired franchise stores	1,328			—		—		1,328
Acquisition of The Health Store	6,853			—		—		6,853
Translation effect of exchange rates	(944		)	—		—		(944		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	353,439		$	117,303	$	202,841	$	673,583

Intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following:

	Retail Brand		Franchise Brand		Operating Agreements			Other Intangibles			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	125,665		$	17,109		$	862,774
Acquired franchise stores	—		—		—			635			635
Acquisition of The Health Store	—		—		—			788			788
Amortization expense	—		—		(4,990		)	(3,155		)	(8,145		)
Translation effect of exchange rates	—		—		—			(148		)	(148		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	120,675		$	15,229		$	855,904

The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major intangible asset: 

	Weighted- Average Life	September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(unaudited)
		(in thousands)
Brands - retail	—	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000
Brands - franchise	—	220,000		—			220,000		220,000		—			220,000
Retail agreements	30.3	31,000		(8,091		)	22,909		31,000		(7,301		)	23,699
Franchise agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Manufacturing agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Other intangibles	8.2	20,904		(6,664		)	14,240		20,327		(3,995		)	16,332
Franchise rights	3.0	6,098		(5,109		)	989		5,463		(4,686		)	777
Total	23.4	$	918,002	$	(62,098	)	$	855,904	$	916,790	$	(54,016	)	$	862,774

The following table represents future estimated amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives at September 30, 2014:

Years ending December 31,	Estimated amortization expense
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
2014	$	2,726
2015	10,668
2016	9,790
2017	7,774
2018	7,670
Thereafter	97,276
Total	$	135,904

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Amount and Estimated Fair Values of the Financial Instruments

The actual and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,243	$	148,243	$	226,217	$	226,217
Receivables, net	139,719		139,719		144,833		144,833
Franchise notes receivable, net	18,286		18,286		10,163		10,163
Accounts payable	147,805		147,805		135,164		135,164
Long-term debt (including current portion)	1,343,398		1,306,455		1,347,099		1,343,732

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation.The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and all of its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has no relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, these estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Some of the most significant estimates pertaining to the Company include the valuation of inventories, the allowance for doubtful accounts and income taxes. On a regular basis, management reviews its estimates utilizing currently available information, changes in facts and circumstances, historical experience and reasonable assumptions. After such reviews and if deemed appropriate, those estimates are adjusted accordingly. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued accounting standard ASU 2013-11, regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This standard requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) or tax credit carryforward whenever the NOL or tax credit carryforward would be available to reduce the additional taxable income or tax due if the tax position is disallowed. This accounting standard update requires entities to assess whether to net the unrecognized tax benefit with a deferred tax asset as of the reporting date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-09, which updates revenue recognition guidance relating to contracts with customers. This standard states that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued accounting standard ASU 2014-12, which updates guidance on performance stock awards. The update states that for any award that has a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite period, that performance target should still be treated as a performance condition. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has outstanding stock-based compensation awards that were granted by the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of Holdings’ board of directors under the following two stock-based employee compensation plans:

• the GNC Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2011 Stock Plan”) adopted in March 2011; and

• the GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan adopted in March 2007 (as amended, the “2007 Stock Plan”).

Both plans have provisions that allow for the granting of stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards and are available to certain eligible employees, directors, consultants or advisors as determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock options under the plans were granted with exercise prices at or above fair market value on the date of grant, typically vest over a four- or five-year period, and expire seven or ten years from the date of grant.

Up to 8.5 million shares of common stock may be issued under the 2011 Stock Plan (subject to adjustment to reflect certain transactions and events specified in the 2011 Stock Plan for any award grant). If any award granted under the 2011 Stock Plan expires, terminates or is cancelled without having been exercised in full, the number of shares underlying such unexercised award will again become available for awards under the 2011 Stock Plan. The total number of shares of common stock available for awards under the 2011 Stock Plan will be reduced by (i) the total number of stock options or stock appreciation rights exercised, regardless of whether any of the shares of common stock underlying such awards are not actually issued to the participant as the result of a net settlement, and (ii) any shares of common stock used to pay any exercise price or tax withholding obligation. In addition, the number of shares of common stock that are subject to restricted stock, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are not subject to the appreciation of the value of a share of common stock (“Full Share Awards”) that may be granted under the 2011 Stock Plan is limited by counting shares granted pursuant to such awards against the aggregate share reserve as 1.8 shares for every share granted. If any stock option, stock appreciation right or other stock-based award that is not a Full Share Award is cancelled, expires or terminates unexercised for any reason, the shares covered by such awards will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2011 Stock Plan. If any shares of common stock that are subject to restricted stock, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are Full Share Awards are forfeited for any reason, 1.8 shares of common stock for each Full Share Award forfeited will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2011 Stock Plan.

 The Company will not grant any additional awards under the 2007 Stock Plan.  No stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock or performance shares were granted under the 2007 Stock Plan.

The Company utilizes the Black Scholes model to calculate the fair value of options under both the 2011 Stock Plan and the 2007 Stock Plan. The grant-date fair value of the Company’s restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is based on the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the grant. The resulting compensation cost is recognized in the Company’s financial statements over the vesting period. The Company recognized $5.1 million and $5.9 million of total non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014, there was approximately $7.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation for all awards previously made that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.6 years. All expense for the non-cash stock-based compensation plans is recorded to paid-in-capital.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the total intrinsic value of options exercised and stock awards converted was $12.7 million and the total amount received by Holdings from the exercise of options and stock awards converted was $20.2 million. The total tax impact associated with the exercise of options and stock awards converted for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a benefit of $2.5 million, which was recorded to paid-in-capital.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the total intrinsic value of options exercised and stock awards converted was $32.6 million, and the total amount received by Holdings from the exercise of options and stock awards converted was $10.3 million. The total tax impact associated with the exercise of options and stock awards converted for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a benefit of $11.0 million, which was recorded to paid-in-capital.

Stock Options

The following table sets forth a summary of stock options under all plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

	Total Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,887,154		$	24.14
Granted	175,000		33.13
Exercised	(896,861	)	22.60
Forfeited	(290,014	)	30.12
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	875,279		$	25.52	5.7	$	11,571
Exercisable at September 30, 2014	272,852		$	20.40	4.5	$	5,004

The weighted fair value per share of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $7.89 and $14.20, respectively. Fair value of options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

The Black Scholes model utilizes the following assumptions in determining a fair value: price of underlying stock, award exercise price, expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and expected stock price volatility over the award’s expected term. Due to the utilization of these assumptions, the existing models do not necessarily represent the definitive fair value of awards for future periods. As the initial public offering (the “IPO”) occurred during the second quarter of 2011, the option term has been estimated by considering both the vesting period, which typically for both plans has been four or five years, and the contractual term, which historically has been either seven or ten years. Prior to the IPO, the fair value of the common stock was estimated based upon the net enterprise value of the Company, discounted to reflect the lack of liquidity and control associated with the stock.  Since the consummation of the IPO, the fair value of the common stock has been based upon the closing price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. Volatility is estimated based upon the current peer group average utilized by the Company. 

The assumptions used in the Company's Black Scholes valuation related to stock option grants made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:

Dividend yield	1.9%
Expected option life	4.8 years
Volatility factor percentage of market price	31.1%
Discount rate	1.7%

Restricted Stock Awards

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock awards granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Restricted Stock		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	114,981		$	25.16
Granted	10,404		36.52
Vested	(32,165	)	30.75
Forfeited	(46,474	)	24.04
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	46,746		$	24.96

Restricted Stock Units – Time Vesting and Performance Vesting

Under the 2011 Stock Plan, the Company granted time vesting and performance vesting restricted stock units. Time vesting restricted stock units vest over a period of three years. Performance vesting restricted stock units vest based on the passage of time and the achievement of certain criteria; based on the extent to which the targets are achieved, vested shares may range from 0% to 200% of the original share amount. The unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance vesting restricted stock units is adjusted as necessary to reflect changes in the probability that the vesting criteria will be achieved.

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock units and performance stock units granted under the 2011 Stock Plan and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014: 

	Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	141,298		$	40.81	55,366		$	45.94
Granted	151,412		43.99		130,798		44.62
Vested	(1,174	)	46.47		—		—
Forfeited	(164,296	)	43.45		(129,171	)	45.26
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	127,240		$	41.13	56,993		$	44.45

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Financial Instruments, Owned, at Fair Value [Abstract]

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s financial instruments consisted of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, franchise notes receivable, accounts payable, certain accrued liabilities and long-term debt. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their respective fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. Based on the interest rates currently available and their underlying risk, the carrying value of the franchise notes receivable approximates their respective fair values. These fair values are reflected net of reserves for uncollectible amounts. As considerable judgment is required to determine these estimates and assumptions, changes in the assumptions or methodologies may have an effect on these estimates. The Company determined the estimated fair values of its debt by using currently available market information. The fair value measurement for debt is classified as a Level 2 input on the fair value hierarchy, as defined in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The actual and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,243	$	148,243	$	226,217	$	226,217
Receivables, net	139,719		139,719		144,833		144,833
Franchise notes receivable, net	18,286		18,286		10,163		10,163
Accounts payable	147,805		147,805		135,164		135,164
Long-term debt (including current portion)	1,343,398		1,306,455		1,347,099		1,343,732

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

The Company is engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including claims related to breach of contracts, products liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters resulting from the Company’s business activities.

The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability.  Currently, none of the Company’s accruals for outstanding legal matters are material individually or in the aggregate to the Company’s financial position. However, if the Company ultimately is required to make a payment in connection with an adverse outcome in any of the matters discussed below, it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company’s contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties, including for each such contingency the following, among other factors: (i) the procedural status of the case; (ii) whether the case has or may be certified as a class action suit; (iii) the outcome of preliminary motions; (iv) the impact of discovery; (v) whether there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) whether the proceedings involve a large number of parties and/or parties and claims in multiple jurisdictions or jurisdictions in which the relevant laws are complex or unclear; (vii) the extent of potential damages, which are often unspecified or indeterminate; and (viii) the status of settlement discussions, if any, and the settlement posture of the parties.  Consequently, except as otherwise noted below with regard to a particular matter, the Company cannot predict with any reasonable certainty the timing or outcome of the legal matters described below, and the Company is unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss.

As a manufacturer and retailer of nutritional supplements and other consumer products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, the Company has been and is currently subjected to various product liability claims. Although the effects of these claims to date have not been material to the Company, it is possible that current and future product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company currently maintains product liability insurance with a deductible/retention of $4.0 million per claim with an aggregate cap on retained loss of $10.0 million. The Company typically seeks and has obtained contractual indemnification from most parties that supply raw materials for its products or that manufacture or market products it sells. The Company also typically seeks to be added, and has been added, as an additional insured under most of such parties’ insurance policies.  The Company is also entitled to indemnification by Numico for certain losses arising from claims related to products containing ephedra or Kava Kava sold prior to December 5, 2003. However, any such indemnification or insurance is limited by its terms and any such indemnification, as a practical matter, is limited to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and its insurer, and the absence of significant defenses by the insurers. Consequently, the Company may incur material products liability claims, which could increase its costs and adversely affect its reputation, revenue and operating income.

Hydroxycut Claims.    In 2009, the FDA issued a warning on several Hydroxycut-branded products manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A., Inc. (“Iovate”) based on 23 reports of liver injuries from consumers who claimed to have used the products between 2002 and 2009. As a result, Iovate voluntarily recalled 14 Hydroxycut-branded products.

Following the recall, the Company was named, among other defendants, in multiple lawsuits related to Hydroxycut-branded products in several states. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated pretrial proceedings of many of the pending actions in the Southern District of California (In re: Hydroxycut Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL No. 2087), and Iovate previously accepted the Company’s tender request for defense and indemnification under its purchasing agreement with the Company in these matters.

As of September 30, 2014, there were 76 pending lawsuits related to Hydroxycut in which the Company had been named: 70 individual, largely personal injury claims and six putative class action cases, generally inclusive of claims of consumer fraud, misrepresentation, strict liability and breach of warranty. In May 2013, the parties to the individual personal injury cases signed a Master Settlement Agreement, under which the Company is not required to make any payments. Settlement payments are being made exclusively by Iovate and dismissals are expected to be entered in these actions in the near term. The parties in the consolidated class actions reached a settlement, which was approved by the Court on October 20, 2014 and which does not require the Company to make any payments. Following final resolution of the individual personal injury cases and the settlement of the consolidated class action suits, all of the Hydroxycut claims currently pending against the Company will be resolved without any payment by the Company.  

DMAA / Aegeline Claims.  Prior to December 2013, the Company sold products manufactured by third parties that contained derivatives from geranium known as 1.3-dimethylpentylamine/ dimethylamylamine/13-dimethylamylamine, or “DMAA,” which were recalled from its stores in November 2013, and/or Aegeline, a compound extracted from bael trees.  As of September 30, 2014, the Company was named in 21 lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline, including 18 personal injury cases and three putative class action cases.  As a general matter, the proceedings associated with these cases, which generally seek indeterminate money damages, are in the early stages, and any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time. The Company is contractually entitled to indemnification by its third-party vendor with regard to these matters, although the Company’s ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against it is dependent upon the creditworthiness of the vendor and/or its insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to its insurer.

On October 13, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida preliminarily approved a settlement agreement among the parties to two of the three putative class action cases in which the Company is named and scheduled a hearing with regard to final approval of the proposed settlement in February 2015. The proposed settlement does not require any payment by the Company.

California Wage and Break Claims.    In November 2008, 98 plaintiffs filed individual claims against the Company in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, alleging that they were not provided all of the rest and meal periods to which they were entitled under California law, and that the Company failed to pay them split shift and overtime compensation to which they were entitled under California law.  The plaintiffs also allege derivative claims for inaccurate wage statements, failure to pay wages due at termination, and penalty claims under the California Labor Code.  The cases were removed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and in June 2013, a trial was conducted that resulted in a verdict in favor of the Company with respect to the claims of seven of the plaintiffs. The claims of 20 other plaintiffs have been resolved and the claims of 71 plaintiffs remain, with respect to which discovery is ongoing.  As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

In July 2011, Charles Brewer, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, sued General Nutrition Corporation in federal court, alleging state and federal wage and hour claims (U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case No. 11CV3587). In October 2011, Mr. Brewer filed an amended complaint alleging, among other matters, meal, rest break and overtime violations. In January 2013, the Court conditionally certified a Fair Labor Standards Act class with respect to one of Plaintiff’s claims. As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

In February 2012, former Senior Store Manager, Elizabeth Naranjo, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated sued General Nutrition Corporation in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda (Case No. RG 12619626), alleging, among other matters, meal, rest break, and overtime violations. As any liabilities that may arise from these matters are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

FLSA Matters.    In June 2010, Dominic Vargas and Anne Hickok, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, sued General Nutrition Corporation and the Company in federal court (U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, Case No. 2:5-mc-2025), alleging, generally, that plaintiffs were required to perform work on an uncompensated basis and that the Company failed to pay overtime for such work. Class notice was mailed to putative class members in November 2012 and discovery regarding opt-in plaintiffs is ongoing. As of September 30, 2014, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

Jason Olive v. General Nutrition Corp. In April 2012, Jason Olive filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. BC482686), for misappropriation of likeness in which he alleges that the Company continued to use his image in stores after the expiration of the license to do so in violation of common law and California statutes. Mr. Olive is seeking compensatory, punitive and statutory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs, and a trial in this matter is currently scheduled for December 2014. As of September 30, 2014, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

Commitments

In addition to operating leases obtained in the normal course of business, the Company maintains certain purchase commitments with various vendors to ensure its operational needs are fulfilled.  As of September 30, 2014, such future purchase commitments consisted of $3.2 million. Other commitments related to the Company’s business operations cover varying periods of time and are not significant. All of these commitments are expected to be fulfilled with no adverse consequences to the Company’s operations or financial condition.

Environmental Compliance

In March 2008, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the “DHEC”) requested that the Company investigate contamination associated with historical activities at its South Carolina facility. These investigations have identified chlorinated solvent impacts in soils and groundwater that extend offsite from the facility. The Company entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Contract with the DHEC regarding the matter on September 24, 2012. Pursuant to such contract, the Company will submit a plan for additional investigations to the DHEC and will implement the plan upon DHEC’s approval. After the Company completes the investigations to understand the extent of the chlorinated solvent impacts, the Company will develop appropriate remedial measures for DHEC approval. At this stage of the investigation, however, it is not possible to estimate the timing and extent of any remedial action that may be required, the ultimate cost of remediation, or the amount of the Company’s potential liability, therefore no liability is recorded. 

In addition to the foregoing, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign environmental and health and safety laws and regulations governing its operations, including the handling, transportation and disposal of the Company’s non-hazardous and hazardous substances and wastes, as well as emissions and discharges from its operations into the environment, including discharges to air, surface water and groundwater. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in costs for remedial actions, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities. New laws, changes in existing laws or the interpretation thereof, or the development of new facts or changes in their processes could also cause the Company to incur additional capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations and environmental permits.  The Company is also subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and cleanup responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment without regard to fault or knowledge about the condition or action causing the liability. Under certain of these laws and regulations, such liabilities can be imposed for cleanup of previously owned or operated properties, or for properties to which substances or wastes were sent in connection with current or former operations at its facilities. The presence of contamination from such substances or wastes could also adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell or lease its properties, or to use them as collateral for financing. From time to time, the Company has incurred costs and obligations for correcting environmental and health and safety noncompliance matters and for remediation at or relating to certain of the Company’s properties or properties at which the Company’s waste has been disposed.  However, compliance with the provisions of national, state and local environmental laws and regulations has not had a material effect upon the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings, financial position, liquidity or competitive position. The Company believes it has complied with, and is currently complying with, its environmental obligations pursuant to environmental and health and safety laws and regulations and that any liabilities for noncompliance will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial performance or cash flows. However, it is difficult to predict future liabilities and obligations, which could be material.

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SEGMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENTS

SEGMENTS

The Company has three reportable segments, each of which represents an identifiable component of the Company for which separate financial information is available. This information is utilized by management to assess performance and allocate assets accordingly. The Company’s management evaluates segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary key performance indicators are sales and operating income or loss for each segment. Operating income or loss, as evaluated by management, excludes certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as distribution and warehousing, impairments and other corporate costs. The Retail reportable segment includes the Company’s corporate store operations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Ireland, and its websites GNC.com, Lucky Vitamin, and Discount Supplements. The Franchise reportable segment represents the Company’s franchise operations, both domestically and internationally. The Manufacturing/Wholesale reportable segment represents the Company’s manufacturing operations in South Carolina and the Wholesale sales business. This segment supplies the Retail and Franchise segments, along with various third parties, with finished products for sale. The Warehousing and Distribution and Corporate costs represent the Company’s administrative expenses. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

The following table represents key financial information of the Company’s segments: 

	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Retail	$	480,691		$	487,271		$	1,495,197		$	1,483,228
Franchise	114,106			117,780			327,763			335,985
Manufacturing/Wholesale:
Intersegment revenues	62,247			66,231			194,862			199,248
Third Party	61,529			69,450			183,039			196,013
Subtotal Manufacturing/Wholesale	123,776			135,681			377,901			395,261
Subtotal segment revenues	718,573			740,732			2,200,861			2,214,474
Elimination of intersegment revenues	(62,247		)	(66,231		)	(194,862		)	(199,248		)
Total revenue	$	656,326		$	674,501		$	2,005,999		$	2,015,226
Operating income:
Retail	$	89,370		$	92,580		$	277,916		$	291,507
Franchise	40,316			41,616			121,639			116,694
Manufacturing/Wholesale	22,917			28,436			69,359			76,869
Unallocated corporate and other costs:
Warehousing and distribution costs	(17,277		)	(17,513		)	(50,258		)	(50,737		)
Corporate costs	(19,128		)	(19,145		)	(60,152		)	(60,168		)
Management realignment	(7,473		)	—			(7,473		)	—
Subtotal unallocated corporate and
other costs	(43,878		)	(36,658		)	(117,883		)	(110,905		)
Total operating income	108,725			125,974			351,031			374,165
Interest expense, net	11,781			11,237			34,987			33,353
Income before income taxes	$	96,944		$	114,737		$	316,044		$	340,812

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LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Term Loan Facility	Sep. 30, 2013 Term Loan Facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Term Loan Facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Term Loan Facility Maximum	Sep. 30, 2014 Revolving Credit Facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Revolving Credit Facility	Sep. 30, 2014 Revolving Credit Facility Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Revolving Credit Facility Maximum	Sep. 30, 2014 Letter Of Credit	Dec. 31, 2013 Letter Of Credit
Long-term Debt
Maximum borrowing capacity							$ 1,400,000,000					$ 80,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Potential Borrowing Capacity Increase								252,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Borrowing Capacity Increase Limit											130,000,000
Interest expense, net	11,781,000	11,237,000	34,987,000	33,353,000	35,000,000	33,400,000
Interest rate (as a percent)					3.25%		3.25%
Revolving Credit Facility pledged to secure letters of credit													$ 1,100,000	$ 1,100,000
Commitment fee respect of unutilized revolving loan commitments (as a percent)									0.50%	0.50%
Fee for letters of credit to lenders (as a percent)													2.50%	2.50%

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill Activity

The following table summarizes the Company’s goodwill activity:

	Retail			Franchising		Manufacturing/ Wholesale		Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	346,202			$	117,303	$	202,841	$	666,346
Acquired franchise stores	1,328			—		—		1,328
Acquisition of The Health Store	6,853			—		—		6,853
Translation effect of exchange rates	(944		)	—		—		(944		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	353,439		$	117,303	$	202,841	$	673,583

Schedule of Intangible Asset Activity

Intangible assets other than goodwill consisted of the following:

	Retail Brand		Franchise Brand		Operating Agreements			Other Intangibles			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	125,665		$	17,109		$	862,774
Acquired franchise stores	—		—		—			635			635
Acquisition of The Health Store	—		—		—			788			788
Amortization expense	—		—		(4,990		)	(3,155		)	(8,145		)
Translation effect of exchange rates	—		—		—			(148		)	(148		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 (unaudited)	$	500,000	$	220,000	$	120,675		$	15,229		$	855,904

Schedule of Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization for Each Major Intangible Asset

The following table reflects the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each major intangible asset: 

	Weighted- Average Life	September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(unaudited)
		(in thousands)
Brands - retail	—	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000	$	500,000	$	—		$	500,000
Brands - franchise	—	220,000		—			220,000		220,000		—			220,000
Retail agreements	30.3	31,000		(8,091		)	22,909		31,000		(7,301		)	23,699
Franchise agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Manufacturing agreements	25.0	70,000		(21,117		)	48,883		70,000		(19,017		)	50,983
Other intangibles	8.2	20,904		(6,664		)	14,240		20,327		(3,995		)	16,332
Franchise rights	3.0	6,098		(5,109		)	989		5,463		(4,686		)	777
Total	23.4	$	918,002	$	(62,098	)	$	855,904	$	916,790	$	(54,016	)	$	862,774

Schedule of Future Estimated Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets, Net, with Definite Lives

The following table represents future estimated amortization expense of intangible assets with finite lives at September 30, 2014:

Years ending December 31,	Estimated amortization expense
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
2014	$	2,726
2015	10,668
2016	9,790
2017	7,774
2018	7,670
Thereafter	97,276
Total	$	135,904

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NATURE OF BUSINESS (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 segment	Sep. 30, 2014 Minimum country	Oct. 31, 2013 Discount Supplements	Apr. 17, 2014 The Health Store	Apr. 17, 2014 The Health Store store
General Nature of Business
Number of primary segments			3
Number of international countries in which franchise stores are located (over 50 countries)				50
Recent Significant Transactions
Amount of shares authorized to repurchase	$ 500,000,000.0
Amount of shares repurchased		40,000,000	230,300,000
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition					$ 33,300,000	$ 8,900,000
Number of Stores							9

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details 4) (2011 Stock Plan, Restricted Stock, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
2011 Stock Plan | Restricted Stock
Restricted Stock
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	114,981
Granted (in shares)	10,404
Vested ( in shares)	(32,165)
Forfeited (in shares)	(46,474)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	46,746
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 25.16
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 36.52
Vested ( in dollars per share)	$ 30.75
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 24.04
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 24.96

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 64,314	$ 73,033	$ 204,104	$ 217,364
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,851)	428	(3,035)	(878)
Comprehensive income	$ 60,463	$ 73,461	$ 201,069	$ 216,486

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INVENTORIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES

The net carrying value of inventories consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Finished product ready for sale	$	512,887	$	458,366
Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials	72,558		81,575
Packaging supplies	7,348		7,975
Total	$	592,793	$	547,916

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Management realignment	$ (7,473)	$ 0	$ (7,473)	$ 0
International franchise receivable reserves	4,446	163	4,446	363
Reversal of contingent purchase price	4,313	0	4,313	0
Other Income (Expense), Net	(4,047)	(779)	(9,510)	(1,080)
Executive Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Management realignment			(5,700)
Accelerated Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense, Net of Forfeitures
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Management realignment			(500)
Recruiting and Hiring of New Executive Leadership
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Management realignment			$ (1,300)

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 plan	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of stock-based employee compensation plans	2
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	$ 5.1	$ 5.9
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock awards	7.9
Weighted average period over which compensation cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 7 months 6 days
Total intrinsic value of awards exercised	12.7	32.6
Total amount of cash received from the exercise of options	20.2	10.3
Tax benefit associated with the exercise of awards	2.5	11.0
Minimum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	4 years
Expiration period	7 years
Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	5 years
Expiration period	10 years
Stock Option
Stock-based compensation plans
Weighted average date fair value per share of options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.89	$ 14.20
Fair value of options vested	$ 1.9	$ 2.2
Stock Option | Minimum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	4 years
Expiration term	7 years
Stock Option | Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	5 years
Expiration term	10 years
2011 Stock Plan
Stock-based compensation plans
Number of shares authorized for issuance	8,500,000
Number of shares reserved for every share granted that are Full Share Awards	1.8
Number of shares available for grant for every share forfeited that are Full Share Awards	1.8
2011 Stock Plan | Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Stock-based compensation plans
Granted (in shares)	130,798
2011 Stock Plan | Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting Rights Percentage	0.00%
2011 Stock Plan | Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting Rights Percentage	200.00%
2011 Stock Plan | Time Vesting Restricted Stock Units
Stock-based compensation plans
Vesting period	3 years
Granted (in shares)	151,412
2007 Stock Plan
Stock-based compensation plans
Granted (in shares)	0

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INVENTORIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Carrying Value of Inventories

The net carrying value of inventories consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Finished product ready for sale	$	512,887	$	458,366
Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials	72,558		81,575
Packaging supplies	7,348		7,975
Total	$	592,793	$	547,916