GNC-2015.6.30-10Q
Table of Contents

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 June 30, 2015
 
 
[     ]
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 July 24, 2015, there were 84,977,589 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “common stock”), of GNC Holdings, Inc.



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
 
GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
100,778

 
$
133,834

Receivables, net
138,397

 
136,361

Inventory (Note 3)
566,554

 
569,132

Prepaids and other current assets
42,176

 
37,016

Total current assets
847,905

 
876,343

Long-term assets:
 

 
 

Goodwill
672,891

 
672,293

Brands
720,000

 
720,000

Other intangible assets, net
128,006

 
132,992

Property, plant and equipment, net
227,373

 
232,397

Other long-term assets
42,388

 
43,775

Total long-term assets
1,790,658

 
1,801,457

Total assets
$
2,638,563

 
$
2,677,800

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
144,975

 
$
129,064

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 4)
4,637

 
4,740

Deferred revenue and other current liabilities
119,143

 
106,539

Total current liabilities
268,755

 
240,343

Long-term liabilities:
 

 
 

Long-term debt (Note 4)
1,335,711

 
1,337,638

Deferred tax liabilities, net
283,421

 
282,842

Other long-term liabilities
58,857

 
60,934

Total long-term liabilities
1,677,989

 
1,681,414

Total liabilities
1,946,744

 
1,921,757

Contingencies (Note 6)


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Common stock
114

 
113

Paid-in capital
884,285

 
879,655

Retained earnings
998,102

 
898,574

Treasury stock, at cost
(1,183,691
)
 
(1,018,470
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,991
)
 
(3,829
)
Total stockholders’ equity
691,819

 
756,043

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,638,563

 
$
2,677,800

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

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GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue
$
678,520

 
$
675,216

 
$
1,348,767

 
$
1,349,673

Cost of sales, including warehousing, distribution and occupancy
422,188

 
416,636

 
843,002

 
837,374

Gross profit
256,332

 
258,580

 
505,765

 
512,299

Selling, general and administrative
140,090

 
140,844

 
279,858

 
275,456

Other income, net
(1,396
)
 
(3,315
)
 
(1,336
)
 
(5,463
)
Operating income
117,638

 
121,051

 
227,243

 
242,306

Interest expense, net (Note 4)
11,644

 
11,675

 
23,159

 
23,206

Income before income taxes
105,994

 
109,376

 
204,084

 
219,100

Income tax expense (Note 9)
38,637

 
39,489

 
73,457

 
79,310

Net income
$
67,357

 
$
69,887

 
$
130,627

 
$
139,790

Earnings per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.79

 
$
0.77

 
$
1.51

 
$
1.52

Diluted
$
0.79

 
$
0.77

 
$
1.50

 
$
1.52

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Basic
85,501

 
90,414

 
86,677

 
91,687

Diluted
85,777

 
90,931

 
86,934

 
92,265

Dividends declared per share
$
0.18

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.32

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


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GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended 
 June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
67,357

 
$
69,887

 
$
130,627

 
$
139,790

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
2,149

 
1,598

 
(3,162
)
 
817

Comprehensive income
$
69,506

 
$
71,485

 
$
127,465

 
$
140,607

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


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GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Shares
 
Dollars
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
88,335

 
$
113

 
$
(1,018,470
)
 
$
879,655

 
$
898,574

 
$
(3,829
)
 
$
756,043

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
130,627

 
(3,162
)
 
127,465

Repurchase of treasury stock
(3,668
)
 

 
(165,221
)
 

 

 

 
(165,221
)
Common stock dividends

 

 

 

 
(31,099
)
 

 
(31,099
)
Conversions to common stock
74

 
1

 

 
1,550

 

 

 
1,551

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

 
3,080

 

 

 
3,080

June 30, 2015
84,741

 
$
114

 
$
(1,183,691
)
 
$
884,285

 
$
998,102

 
$
(6,991
)
 
$
691,819

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
93,989

 
$
112

 
$
(734,482
)
 
$
847,886

 
$
700,108

 
$
1,955

 
$
815,579

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
139,790

 
817

 
140,607

Repurchase of treasury stock
(4,233
)
 

 
(190,153
)
 

 

 

 
(190,153
)
Common stock dividends

 

 

 

 
(29,108
)
 

 
(29,108
)
Conversions to common stock
129

 
1

 

 
3,093

 

 

 
3,094

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

 

 
3,351

 

 

 
3,351

June 30, 2014
89,885

 
$
113

 
$
(924,635
)
 
$
854,330

 
$
810,790

 
$
2,772

 
$
743,370

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


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GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Net income
$
130,627

 
$
139,790

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization expense
28,628

 
27,401

Amortization of debt costs
925

 
895

Increase in provision for inventory losses
10,304

 
10,395

Gain on sale of company-owned stores to franchisees
(1,491
)
 
(2,282
)
(Increase) decrease in receivables
(459
)
 
1,562

Increase in inventory
(10,652
)
 
(49,791
)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets
(4,624
)
 
3,512

Increase in accounts payable
17,549

 
12,348

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and other liabilities
11,687

 
(167
)
Other operating activities
1,701

 
9,165

Net cash provided by operating activities
184,195

 
152,828

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(20,131
)
 
(36,100
)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(6,402
)
Other investing activities
89

 
350

Net cash used in investing activities
(20,042
)
 
(42,152
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Dividends paid to shareholders
(31,017
)
 
(28,960
)
Payments on long-term debt
(2,400
)
 
(3,040
)
Proceeds from exercised stock options
1,075

 
1,908

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
475

 
1,546

Repurchase of treasury stock
(165,221
)
 
(190,153
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(197,088
)
 
(218,699
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents
(121
)
 
351

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(33,056
)
 
(107,672
)
Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents
133,834

 
226,217

Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents
$
100,778

 
$
118,545

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


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GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1.  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, wellness and performance products, including 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, which are Retail, Franchising and Manufacturing/Wholesale. Corporate retail store operations are located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and beginning with the acquisition of THSD d/b/a The Health Store ("The Health Store") in 2014, Ireland. In addition, the Company offers products domestically through GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com, Drugstore.com, and beginning with the acquisition of A1 Sports Limited d/b/a DiscountSupplements in 2013, internationally through DiscountSupplements.co.uk. Franchise locations exist in the United States and more than 50 other countries. The Company operates its primary manufacturing facility 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 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.
  
NOTE 2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, include all adjustments (consisting of a normal and recurring nature) that management considers necessary to fairly state the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The December 31, 2014 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 its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2015.

Correction of Immaterial Error. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company identified a $2.8 million error relating to prior periods in the calculation of the portion of the accrued payroll liability relating to certain amounts paid to store employees. The impact of this error was not material to any prior period. In addition, the cumulative impact of the correction was not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 or the six months ended June 30, 2015. Consequently, the Company has corrected the error in the first quarter of 2015 by increasing selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of income and deferred revenue and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet by $2.8 million. The impact to net income was a decrease of $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. This correction had no impact on cash flows from operations for the current six-month period.

Revision. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for prior year periods have been revised to conform to the current period's presentation with no impact on previously reported operating income, net income or stockholders' equity. Specifically, the gains resulting from the sales of company-owned stores are presented in "Other income, net" on the consolidated statements of income and the related cash proceeds are presented in "Other investing activities" as an investing cash inflow on the consolidated statements of cash flows. These gains were previously presented in “Gross profit” on the consolidated statements of income with the related cash proceeds being presented as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Certain other amounts in the

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consolidated financial statements of prior year periods have been revised to conform to the current period’s presentation. None of these revisions are material to prior periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2015-03, which requires an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the treatment of debt discounts. This standard does not affect the recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The impact of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued 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 but does not expect the effect to be material.

In May 2014, the FASB issued 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. In July 2015, the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date, making the standard effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.
 
NOTE 3.  INVENTORY
 
The net realizable value of inventory consisted of the following:

 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Finished product ready for sale
$
488,254

 
$
501,027

Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials
70,314

 
60,911

Packaging supplies
7,986

 
7,194

Total inventory
$
566,554

 
$
569,132

 
NOTE 4.  LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following: 
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Term Loan Facility
$
1,340,261

 
$
1,342,165

Other
87

 
213

Total debt
1,340,348

 
1,342,378

Less: current maturities
(4,637
)
 
(4,740
)
Long-term debt
$
1,335,711

 
$
1,337,638

 
The Company maintains a $1.4 billion term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) that matures in March 2019. The Company also maintains a $130.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Senior Credit Facility”) that matures in March 2017.

 For each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, net interest expense was approximately $11.6 million and $23.2 million, respectively, the substantial majority of which consisted of interest on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Facility. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the interest rate

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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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility was 0.5%, and the fee on outstanding letters of credit was 2.50%. As of June 30, 2015, the Company is in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Credit Facility.

NOTE 5.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair value is defined as a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the standard establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 — observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2 — observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other inputs that are observable, or can be corroborated by observable market data; and
Level 3 — unobservable inputs for which there are little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The following table presents the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in thousands)
Cash equivalents
$
28,397

 
$

 
$

Other long-term assets

 
8,313

 

The following table presents the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 by level within the fair value hierarchy:
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in thousands)
Cash equivalents
$
43,365

 
$

 
$

Other long-term assets

 
7,814

 

Other long-term assets consist of assets related to the Company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The assets related to this plan are adjusted based on changes in the fair value of the underlying investments. Since the fair value of the investments is based on quoted prices of similar items in active markets, the assets are classified within Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy.
The actual and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
100,778

 
$
100,778

 
$
133,834

 
$
133,834

Receivables, net
138,397

 
138,397

 
136,361

 
136,361

Franchise notes receivable, net
16,547

 
16,547

 
17,722

 
17,722

Accounts payable
144,975

 
144,975

 
129,064

 
129,064

Long-term debt (including current portion)
1,340,348

 
1,316,892

 
1,342,378

 
1,288,683

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments. Based on the interest rates currently avail

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able and their underlying risk, the carrying value of the franchise notes receivable approximates its fair value. As considerable judgment is required to determine these estimates, changes in the assumptions or methodologies may have an effect on these estimates. The Company determined the estimated fair value of its debt by using Level 2 inputs, which consist of the instrument's trading value in markets that are not active.  
NOTE 6.  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, product 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. If the Company ultimately is required to make a payment exceeding amounts accrued 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 annual 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 product liability claims, which could increase its costs and adversely affect its reputation, revenue and operating income.
 
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 June 30, 2015, the Company was named in 30 personal injury lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline. One of the personal injury suits in which the Company is named, 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, is the subject of pending motions for summary judgment filed by the Company, while the trial previously scheduled for June 2015 has been postponed until February 2016.

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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.

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, which was removed to the U.S. District Court, Central District of California in February 2009. Each of the plaintiffs had previously been a member of a purported class in a lawsuit filed against the Company in 2007 and resolved in September 2009. The plaintiffs alleged that they were not provided all of the rest and meal periods to which they were entitled under California law, and further alleged that the Company failed to pay them split shift and overtime compensation to which they were entitled under California law. The plaintiffs also alleged derivative claims for inaccurate wage statements, failure to pay wages due at termination, and penalty claims under the California Labor Code. In June 2013, a trial was conducted with respect to the claims of seven of the plaintiffs. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Company on all claims submitted to the jury, and the Court entered an order in favor of the Company on the one claim submitted to the Court. A number of other plaintiffs were dismissed from the action pursuant to stipulation and/or Court order. The remaining plaintiffs entered into a settlement agreement with the Company in December 2014 and the Court subsequently entered a final order dismissing the action with prejudice. 
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, plaintiff filed an eight-count amended complaint alleging, inter alia, meal, rest break and overtime violations on behalf of sales associates and assistant store managers, and the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. In January 2013, the Court conditionally certified a Fair Labor Standards Act class with respect to one of Plaintiff's claims, and in November 2014, the Court granted in part and denied in part Plaintiff’s Motion to Certify a California class, and granted Defendant’s Motion for Decertification of FLSA Collective Action.  A mediation conducted in April 2015 was unsuccessful in resolving the Plaintiff's claims, and motions for summary judgment are pending hearing, which currently is scheduled to occur in August 2015. As of June 30, 2015, an immaterial 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). The complaint contains eight causes of action, alleging, inter alia, meal, rest break, and overtime violations. In October 2014, the Court granted Plaintiff’s Motion to Certify a Class of approximately 900 current and former managers.  A mediation conducted in April 2015 was unsuccessful in resolving the Plaintiff's claims. As of June 30, 2015, 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. The trial in this matter previously scheduled for December 2014 was postponed and no new trial date has been set. As of June 30, 2015, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements.

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 is completing additional investigations with the DHEC's 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

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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 that 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 7.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS AND SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
 
Stock and Incentive Plans

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

the GNC Holdings, Inc. 2015 Stock and Incentive Plan (the "2015 Stock Plan");
the GNC Holdings, Inc. 2011 Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2011 Stock Plan”); and
the GNC Acquisition Holdings Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2007 Stock Plan”).

Each plan allows for the grant of stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards to eligible employees, directors, consultants or advisers as determined by the Compensation Committee. Stock options under the 2007 Stock Plan and 2011 Stock Plan 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.

The Company will grant future awards under the 2015 Stock Plan, under which approximately 9 million shares were authorized for grant at June 30, 2015, which include 5.4 million shares that were previously available for issuance under the 2011 Stock Plan.

Stock-Based Compensation Activity

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company granted the following share-based compensation awards (in thousands):
 
 
Time-based stock options
29

Time-based restricted stock awards
136

Performance-based restricted stock
101

Total
266


Time-based stock options vest 25% per year over a period of four years and the fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes model. Time-based restricted stock awards vest one-third per year over a period of three years. Performance-based restricted stock vests at the end of a three-year performance period based on the Company's achievement of pre-determined earnings per share and revenue growth targets; based on the extent to which the targets are achieved, vested shares may range from 0% to 200% of the original target grant. Compensation cost

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related to performance-based stock will be adjusted as necessary to reflect changes in probability that the vesting criteria will be achieved. The above awards will result in compensation expense of $11.3 million, net of expected forfeitures, over the requisite service period assuming the performance-based units vest at 100% of the original target award.

The Company recognized $1.8 million and $1.3 million of total non-cash stock-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized $3.1 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of total non-cash stock-based compensation. At June 30, 2015, there was approximately $14.7 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 2.0 years.

Share Repurchase Program

In August 2014, the Board approved a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of Holdings' common stock. Holdings repurchased $164.8 million of common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and has utilized $258.0 million of the current repurchase program. As of June 30, 2015, $242.0 million remains available for purchase under the program.
  
NOTE 8.  SEGMENTS
 
The Company aggregates its operating segments into three reportable segments, which include Retail, Franchising, and Manufacturing/Wholesale. The Retail reportable segment includes the Company's corporate store operations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland and its websites GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com, and DiscountSupplements.co.uk. 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 business. This segment supplies the Retail and Franchise segments, along with various third parties, with finished products for sale. The Company's chief operating decision maker evaluates segment operating results based primarily on performance indicators, including revenue and operating income. Operating income of each reportable segment excludes certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as warehousing, distribution and other corporate costs. The following table represents key financial information for each of the Company's reportable segments:

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Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in thousands)
Revenue:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Retail
$
503,846

 
$
505,508

 
$
1,007,312

 
$
1,014,506

Franchise
118,441

 
110,142

 
229,698

 
213,657

Manufacturing/Wholesale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intersegment revenues
72,984

 
63,858

 
139,238

 
132,616

Third-party
56,233

 
59,566

 
111,757

 
121,510

Subtotal Manufacturing/Wholesale
129,217

 
123,424

 
250,995

 
254,126

Subtotal segment revenues
751,504

 
739,074

 
1,488,005

 
1,482,289

Elimination of intersegment revenues
(72,984
)
 
(63,858
)
 
(139,238
)
 
(132,616
)
Total revenue
$
678,520

 
$
675,216

 
$
1,348,767

 
$
1,349,673

Operating income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Retail
$
96,947

 
$
95,123

 
$
189,309

 
$
189,869

Franchise
40,646

 
40,418

 
80,329

 
79,999

Manufacturing/Wholesale
22,087

 
22,932

 
43,209

 
46,443

Unallocated corporate and other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehousing and distribution costs
(18,495
)
 
(17,047
)
 
(36,280
)
 
(32,981
)
Corporate costs
(23,547
)
 
(20,375
)
 
(49,324
)
 
(41,024
)
Subtotal unallocated corporate and other costs
(42,042
)
 
(37,422
)
 
(85,604
)
 
(74,005
)
Total operating income
117,638

 
121,051

 
227,243

 
242,306

Interest expense, net
11,644

 
11,675

 
23,159

 
23,206

Income before income taxes
$
105,994

 
$
109,376

 
$
204,084

 
$
219,100



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NOTE 9.  INCOME TAXES
 
The Company recognized $38.6 million of income tax expense (or 36.5% of pre-tax income) during the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $39.5 million (or 36.1% of pre-tax income) in the prior year quarter. The Company recognized $73.5 million of income tax expense (or 36.0% of pre-tax income) during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $79.3 million (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2014.
 
At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $11.0 million and $11.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, excluding interest and penalties. As of June 30, 2015, 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 excluding interest and penalties that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $11.0 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had accrued approximately $4.0 million and $4.2 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 reversed as a reduction to income tax expense.

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 Internal Revenue Service closed the examination without making any material adjustments to the returns. The Company has various state, local and international jurisdiction tax years open to possible examination (the earliest open period is generally 2010), and the Company also has certain state and local jurisdictions currently under audit.

NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On July 23, 2015, the Board authorized and declared a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.18 per share of common stock, payable on or about September 25, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 11, 2015.

 


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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” 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, 2014), 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 or any failure on our part 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 or investigations involving our company and any 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 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;
increases in the frequency and severity of insurance claims, particularly claims for which we are self-insured;

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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, wellness and performance products. We derive our revenues principally from product sales through our company-owned stores and online through GNC.com, LuckyVitamin.com, and DiscountSupplements.co.uk, 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 9,000 locations operating under the GNC brand name. 

In April 2014, the Company acquired THSD d/b/a The Health Store (“The Health Store”), a small chain based in Dublin, Ireland.
 
Executive Overview
 
During the second half of 2014, we underwent a management realignment that included the appointment of a new chief executive officer and other key executive changes. We initiated a number of key, cross-functional initiatives and other efforts to address the challenges facing our business. For example, we began:
a customer-focused brand evolution that is centered on quality and one-on-one customer engagement and is intended to reach a broader, wellness-focused customer audience while remaining loyal to our existing, performance-focused customer base;
taking a more disciplined and analytical approach to product promotions and discounting;
a transition toward more product-focused marketing and an initiative to improve the overall effectiveness of our marketing efforts while continuing to expand and improve upon the customized direct-marketing strategies that we initiated during the latter half of 2014;
an effort to re-set our stores with an enhanced focus on plant and nature based proteins, women's beauty products and functional foods;
to implement a rigorous, customer-focused testing process in our merchandising, marketing, store operations and other decisions relevant to our business; and

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a process to better align our inventory levels with current trends in our business.
During the second quarter of 2015, we realized the following positive outcomes as compared to the second quarter of 2014:

our total revenue increased 0.5%;

in our retail segment, product gross margin improved and operating income increased by 1.9% quarter-over-quarter and as a percentage of segment revenue from 18.8% in the prior year quarter to 19.2% in the current quarter;

despite negative same store sales described below for our company-owned domestic stores, our GNC.com business experienced a 6.4% increase in sales;

we increased our company-owned store count by 24 net new stores; and

our franchise segment revenue increased 7.5%, with an increase in domestic franchising revenue of 10.0% and international franchising revenue of 3.1%, and operating income increased 0.6%.

However, while our business remains profitable and we continue to generate strong cash flow, with approximately 95% of our domestic company-owned stores' cash flow exceeding our weighted average cost of capital, we also continue to face challenges to our business. Therefore, with respect to our results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2014:

our total operating income decreased by 2.8%;

our company-owned domestic same store sales decreased 2.8%, which contributed to retail segment revenue decreasing by 0.3%;
  
we experienced a net decrease of 29 international franchise stores; and

our wholesale/manufacturing segment's sales decreased by 5.6% primarily due to lower contract manufacturing and operating income decreased 3.7%.

Company-owned vs. Franchise Store Strategy
    
As a result of our ongoing evaluation of strategies to maximize shareholder value - including a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the relative value created based on the ownership structure of domestic retail locations - we expect to increase the percentage of domestic franchise locations by executing the following strategies: (i) increasing the proportion of new stores that are franchise locations, and (ii) transition certain company-owned stores in select markets to franchise locations by executing a re-franchising strategy, allowing for refinements in our pace and approach.

Recent Trends and Uncertainties

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

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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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 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 8, “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 for each segment. Revenues and operating income, as evaluated by our chief operating decision maker, exclude certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as warehousing, distribution and other corporate costs. The following discussion compares the revenues and the operating income by segment, as well as those items excluded from the segment totals.
 
Same store sales 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 company-owned 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 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.


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Results of Operations
 
(Expressed as a percentage of total consolidated revenue)
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
74.2
 %
 
74.9
 %
 
 
74.7
 %
 
 
75.2
 %
Franchise
17.5
 %
 
16.3
 %
 
 
17.0
 %
 
 
15.8
 %
Manufacturing / Wholesale
8.3
 %
 
8.8
 %
 
 
8.3
 %
 
 
9.0
 %
Total net revenues
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
100.0
 %
 
 
100.0
 %
Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales, including warehousing,
distribution and occupancy
62.2
 %
 
61.7
 %
 
 
62.5
 %
 
 
62.0
 %
Selling, general and administrative
20.6
 %
 
20.9
 %
 
 
20.7
 %
 
 
20.4
 %
Other income, net
-0.2
 %
 
-0.5
 %
 
 
-0.1
 %
 
 
-0.4
 %
Total operating expenses
82.7
 %
 
82.1
 %
 
 
83.2
 %
 
 
82.0
 %
Operating income:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
14.3
 %
 
14.1
 %
 
 
14.0
 %
 
 
14.1
 %
Franchise
6.0
 %
 
6.0
 %
 
 
6.0
 %
 
 
5.9
 %
Manufacturing / Wholesale
3.3
 %
 
3.4
 %
 
 
3.2
 %
 
 
3.4
 %
Unallocated corporate and other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehousing and distribution costs
-2.7
 %
 
-2.5
 %
 
 
-2.7
 %
 
 
-2.4
 %
Corporate costs
-3.5
 %
 
-3.0
 %
 
 
-3.7
 %
 
 
-3.0
 %
Subtotal unallocated corporate and other costs
-6.2
 %
 
-5.5
 %
 
 
-6.4
 %
 
 
-5.4
 %
Total operating income
17.3
 %
 
17.9
 %
 
 
16.8
 %
 
 
18.0
 %
Interest expense, net
1.7
 %
 
1.7
 %
 
 
1.7
 %
 
 
1.7
 %
Income before income taxes
15.6
 %
 
16.2
 %
 
 
15.1
 %
 
 
16.2
 %
Income tax expense
5.7
 %
 
5.8
 %
 
 
5.4
 %
 
 
5.9
 %
Net income
9.9
 %
 
10.4
 %
 
 
9.7
 %
 
 
10.4
 %

Note: The columns may not add due to rounding.



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The following table summarizes our stores for the periods indicated:
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Company-owned stores:
 

 
 

Beginning of period balance
3,497

 
3,342

New store openings
47

 
97

Franchise conversions (a)
20

 
17

Store closings (b)
(24
)
 
(33
)
End of period balance
3,540

 
3,423

Franchised stores:
 

 
 

Domestic
 

 
 

Beginning of period balance
1,070

 
1,012

Store openings (b)
20

 
58

Store closings (c)
(23
)
 
(20
)
End of period balance
1,067

 
1,050

International (d)
 

 
 

Beginning of period balance
2,140

 
2,024

Store openings
36

 
89

Store closings
(83
)
 
(37
)
End of period balance
2,093

 
2,076

Store-within-a-store (Rite Aid):
 

 
 

Beginning of period balance
2,269

 
2,215

Store openings
36

 
22

Store closings
(1
)
 
(5
)
End of period balance
2,304

 
2,232

Total Stores
9,004

 
8,781


(a)
Represents stores that were acquired from franchisees and subsequently converted into company-owned stores.
(b)
Includes company-owned store locations sold to franchisees.
(c)
Includes franchise stores closed and acquired by us.
(d)
Includes distribution centers where sales are made.













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Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 (current quarter) and 2014 (prior year quarter)
 
Revenues
 
Our consolidated net revenues increased $3.3 million, or 0.5%, to $678.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $675.2 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was the result of increased sales in our Franchise segment, partially offset by decreased sales in the Retail and Manufacturing/Wholesale segments.
 
Retail.  Revenues in our Retail segment decreased $1.7 million, or 0.3%, to $503.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $505.5 million in the prior year quarter, due primarily to negative domestic retail same store sales of 2.8%, which includes sales from GNC.com. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of 117 stores in our company-owned store base from 3,423 stores at June 30, 2014 to 3,540 stores at June 30, 2015.

Franchise. Revenues in our Franchise segment increased $8.3 million or 7.5%, to $118.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $110.1 million in the prior year quarter. Despite a decrease in domestic franchise same store sales of 2.4% quarter-over-quarter, domestic franchise revenue increased $7.0 million, or 10.0%, primarily due to increased third-party wholesale product sales and an increase in the number of franchise stores from 1,050 stores at June 30, 2014 to 1,067 stores at June 30, 2015. International franchise revenue increased by $1.3 million, or 3.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher product sales and an increase in our international franchise store base by 17 stores to 2,093 stores at June 30, 2015, compared to 2,076 stores at June 30, 2014. Excluding the impact of our franchise stores located in Venezuela, which is currently experiencing political unrest, our international franchisees have reported negative same store sales of 1.5% in the current quarter on a local currency basis.

    Manufacturing/Wholesale. Revenues in our Manufacturing/Wholesale segment, which includes third-party contract manufacturing sales from our facilities in South Carolina, as well as wholesale sales primarily to Rite Aid, PetSmart, Sam’s Club and www.drugstore.com, decreased by $3.4 million, or 5.6%, to $56.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $59.6 million in the prior year quarter. Third-party contract manufacturing sales decreased $3.9 million, or 12.1%, to $28.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $32.4 million in the prior year quarter. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in wholesale sales of $0.5 million, or 2.1%.
 
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
 
Cost of sales, which includes product costs, costs of warehousing and distribution and occupancy costs, increased $5.6 million to $422.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $416.6 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit, as a percentage of net revenue, decreased from 38.3% for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 to 37.8% in the current quarter. Product gross margin improvement quarter-over-quarter as a percentage of net revenue for the Retail segment was partially offset by a greater mix of sales from the diet and sports categories, which are principally not manufactured by GNC and therefore have relatively lower margins. Product gross margin percentage decreased for the Franchise segment due to third-party wholesale product sales representing a higher portion of segment revenue. Also contributing to the lower gross profit as a percentage of net revenue in the current quarter as compared to the prior year quarter were higher occupancy costs due to deleverage associated with negative same store sales and higher distribution costs primarily due to our new distribution center in Indiana.
 
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
 
SG&A expenses, including compensation and related benefits, advertising and promotion, amortization and other expenses, decreased $0.7 million, or 0.5%, to $140.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $140.8 million in the prior year quarter. These expenses, as a percentage of net revenue, were 20.6% and 20.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a decrease in advertising expense of $5.4 million, partially offset by an increase of $3.6 million in compensation and related benefits.

Advertising expense decreased in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter due to our evaluation to refine the optimal media mix to maximize our return as well as higher spend associated with the Beat Average campaign launched in the prior year quarter as compared to the "80 Years of Quality" campaign launched at the end of the current quarter. The increase in compensation and related benefits was principally due to an increase in incentive compensation expense due to the reversal of accruals during the prior year quarter and an increase in store salaries and benefits to support our increased store base.

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Other Income, Net

Other income, net, which includes gains on the sales of company-owned stores to franchisees and foreign currency (gain) loss, decreased $1.9 million to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $3.3 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease in other income, net was a result of fewer conversions of corporate stores to franchise stores for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the prior year quarter.
     
Operating Income
 
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $3.5 million, or 2.8%, to $117.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $121.1 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 17.3% and 17.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Retail. Operating income increased $1.8 million, or 1.9%, to $96.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $95.1 million for the same period in 2014. Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 19.2% in the current quarter compared to 18.8% in the prior year quarter. The increase compared to the prior year quarter was a result of improved product gross margin and lower advertising expense both of which are further explained above, partially offset by expense deleverage associated with negative same store sales.
     
Franchise. Operating income increased $0.2 million, or 0.6%, to $40.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $40.4 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was 34.3% of segment revenue in the current quarter compared to 36.7% in the prior year quarter. A gain of $1.1 million was recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2015 from the conversion of five company-owned stores to franchise stores compared to a gain of $3.3 million in the prior year quarter resulting from the conversion of nine company-owned stores to franchise stores. Excluding these conversions, operating income increased $2.4 million, and was 33.3% of segment revenue for the second quarter of 2015, as compared with 33.7% in the second quarter of 2014. The decrease in operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was primarily due to third-party wholesale product sales representing a higher portion of total revenue.

Manufacturing/Wholesale. Operating income decreased $0.8 million, or 3.7%, to $22.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $22.9 million in the prior year quarter.  Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 39.3% compared to 38.5% in the prior year quarter. The increase compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to a higher gross margin.
 
Warehousing and distribution costs. Unallocated warehousing and distribution costs increased $1.5 million, or 8.5%, to $18.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $17.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due in part to an increase in depreciation expense related to the new distribution center located in Indiana, which opened in October 2014.
 
Corporate costs. Corporate overhead costs increased $3.1 million to $23.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $20.4 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to the prior year reversal of incentive compensation accruals.

Interest Expense, Net
 
Interest expense was approximately $11.6 million in each of the three month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.
 
Income Tax Expense
 
We recognized $38.6 million of income tax expense (or 36.5% of pre-tax income) during the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $39.5 million (or 36.1% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2014.

Net Income
 
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income decreased $2.5 million to $67.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $69.9 million for the same period in 2014.





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Diluted Earnings Per Share

Diluted earnings per share increased 2.6% from $0.77 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 to $0.79 for the same period in 2015 due to a 5.7% decrease in weighted average diluted shares outstanding as a result of the share repurchase program, partially offset by a 3.6% decrease in net income.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (current year period) and 2014 (prior year period)
 
Revenues
 
Our consolidated net revenues decreased $0.9 million, or 0.1%, to $1,348.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $1,349.7 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was the result of decreased sales in both our Retail and Manufacturing/Wholesale segments, partially offset by increased sales in the Franchise segment.
 
Retail.  Revenues in our Retail segment decreased $7.2 million, or 0.7%, to $1,007.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $1,014.5 million for the same period in 2014, due primarily to negative domestic retail same store sales of 3.5%, which includes sales from GNC.com. The decrease in revenue was partially offset by an increase in our company-owned store base of 117 stores from 3,423 stores at June 30, 2014 to 3,540 stores at June 30, 2015, which includes 10 new stores as a result of the acquisition of The Health Store.

Franchise. Revenues in our Franchise segment increased $16.0 million or 7.5%, to $229.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $213.7 million for the same period in 2014. Despite a decrease in domestic franchise same store sales of 1.9% period-over-period, domestic franchise revenue increased $20.0 million, or 15.1%, primarily due to increased third-party wholesale product sales and an increase in the number of franchise stores from 1,050 stores at June 30, 2014 to 1,067 stores at June 30, 2015. International franchise revenue decreased by $4.0 million, or 4.8%, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower product sales, particularly due to regulatory and macro-economic factors in several key international franchise markets. Excluding the impact of our franchise stores located in Venezuela, our international franchisees have reported negative same store sales of 0.2% in the current year period on a local currency basis. Partially offsetting the decrease in revenue was an increase in our international franchise store base by 17 stores to 2,093 stores at June 30, 2015, compared to 2,076 stores at June 30, 2014 .
 
Manufacturing/Wholesale. Revenues in our Manufacturing/Wholesale segment decreased by $9.7 million, or 8.0%, to $111.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $121.5 million for the same period in 2014. Third-party contract manufacturing sales decreased $13.6 million, or 20.4%, to $53.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $66.8 million for the same period in 2014. This was partially offset by an increase in wholesale sales of $3.8 million, or 7.1%.
 
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
 
Cost of sales increased $5.6 million to $843.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $837.4 million for the same period in 2014. Gross profit, as a percentage of net revenue, decreased from 38.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2014 to 37.5% in the current year period due primarily to higher occupancy costs due to deleverage associated with negative same store sales and higher distribution costs primarily due to our new distribution center in Indiana. Product gross margin improvement year-over-year as a percentage of net revenue for the Retail segment was partially offset by a greater mix of sales from the diet and sports categories, which are principally not manufactured by GNC and therefore have relatively lower margins. Product gross margin percentage decreased for the Franchise segment due to third-party wholesale product sales representing a higher portion of segment revenue.
 
SG&A Expenses
 
SG&A expenses increased $4.4 million, or 1.6%, to $279.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $275.5 million for the same period in 2014. These expenses, as a percentage of net revenue, were 20.7% and 20.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in SG&A was primarily due to increased compensation and related benefits of $9.9 million and other SG&A expenses of $4.7 million, partially offset by decreases in advertising expense of $10.2 million.



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The increase in compensation and related benefits was principally due to an increase in incentive compensation expense due to the reversal of accruals during the prior year period and an increase in store salaries and benefits to support our increased store base. In addition, compensation expense of $2.8 million was recorded in the current year period relating to the correction of an immaterial error in the first quarter of 2015 as explained in Item 1, "Financial Statements," Note 2, "Basis of Presentation." Increases in other SG&A expense were due in part to the net effect of an increase to a legal accrual and a decrease in bad debt expense associated with a reduction in the previously established allowance associated with certain of our international franchisees based on cash collected, both of which were described in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Advertising expense decreased in the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the prior year period due to our evaluation to refine the optimal media mix to maximize our return as well as higher spend associated with the Beat Average campaign launched in the prior year quarter as compared to the "80 Years of Quality" campaign launched at the end of the current quarter.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased $4.2 million to $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease in other income, net was a result of fewer conversions of corporate stores to franchise stores for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Operating Income
 
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $15.1 million, or 6.2%, to $227.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $242.3 million for the same period in 2014. Operating income, as a percentage of net revenue, was 16.8% and 18.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Retail. Operating income decreased $0.6 million, or 0.3%, to $189.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $189.9 million for the same period in 2014. Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 18.8% in the current year period compared to 18.7% in the prior year period. The increase compared to the prior year period was a result of improved product gross margin and lower advertising expense both of which are further explained above, partially offset by expense deleverage associated with negative same store sales and the correction of an immaterial error as explained in Item 1, "Financial Statements," Note 2, "Basis of Presentation."
     
Franchise. Operating income increased $0.3 million, or 0.4%, to $80.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $80.0 million for the same period in 2014. Operating income was 35.0% of segment revenue in the current year period compared to 37.4% in the prior year period. A gain of $1.5 million was recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2015 from the conversion of seven company-owned stores to franchise stores compared to a gain of $5.6 million in the prior year period resulting from the conversion of 15 company-owned stores to franchise stores. Excluding these conversions and the impact of a decrease in the previously established allowance for bad debt expense associated with international franchisees, the decrease in operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was primarily due to third-party wholesale product sales representing a higher portion of segment revenue.

Manufacturing/Wholesale. Operating income decreased $3.2 million, or 7.0%, to $43.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $46.4 million for the same period in 2014.  Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 38.7% in the current year period compared to 38.2% in the prior year period primarily due to a higher gross margin.
 
Warehousing and distribution costs. Unallocated warehousing and distribution costs increased $3.3 million, or 10.0%, to $36.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $33.0 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was due in part to an increase in depreciation expense related to the new distribution center located in Indiana.
 
Corporate costs. Corporate overhead costs increased $8.3 million to $49.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $41.0 million for the same period in 2014 principally due to an increase in compensation and related benefits and legal-related expenses. The increase in compensation and related benefits year-over-year was principally due to the prior year reversal of incentive compensation accruals

Interest Expense, Net
 
Interest expense was flat year-over-year at $23.2 million in each of the six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

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Income Tax Expense
 
We recognized $73.5 million of income tax expense (or 36.0% of pre-tax income) during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $79.3 million (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2014.

Net Income
 
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income decreased $9.2 million to $130.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $139.8 million for the same period in 2014.

Diluted Earnings Per Share

Diluted earnings per share decreased 1.3% from $1.52 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 to $1.50 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 due to a 6.6% decrease in net income, partially offset by a 5.8% decrease in the weighted average diluted shares outstanding as a result of the share repurchase program.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
At June 30, 2015, we had $100.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $579.2 million in working capital, compared with $133.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $636.0 million in working capital at December 31, 2014. The $56.8 million decrease in our working capital was primarily driven by a decrease in cash due to our repurchase of common stock and an increase in accounts payable.
 
We expect to fund our operations through internally generated cash and, if necessary, from borrowings under our $130.0 million revolving credit facility.  At June 30, 2015, we had $128.9 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility, after giving effect to $1.1 million utilized to secure letters of credit.
 
We expect our primary uses of cash in the near future will be for capital expenditures, working capital requirements, and funding share repurchases and any quarterly dividends to stockholders that are approved by our Board.
 
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, 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 2015.
 
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $31.4 million from $152.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2014 to $184.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2015 primarily due to lower inventory purchases.
 
Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
Cash used in investing activities was $20.0 million and $42.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Capital expenditures, which were primarily for new stores and improvements to our retail stores and, in 2014, the opening of our distribution center in Indiana, were $20.1 million and $36.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
  
We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $50.0 million in 2015, which includes costs associated with growing our domestic square footage. We anticipate funding our 2015 capital requirements with cash flows from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 





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Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, cash used in financing activities was $197.1 million, primarily consisting of the repurchase of an aggregate of $164.8 million in shares of common stock under our authorized share repurchase program and dividends paid to Holdings’ stockholders of $31.0 million.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2014, cash used in financing activities was $218.7 million, primarily consisting of the repurchase of an aggregate of $190.0 million shares of common stock under our authorized share repurchase program and dividends paid to Holdings’ stockholders of $29.0 million.

In August 2014, our Board authorized a multi-year program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $500.0 million of our common stock. We have utilized $258.0 million of the current repurchase program and $242.0 million remains available for purchase under the program.

On July 23, 2015, the Board authorized and declared a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.18 per share of common stock, payable on or about September 25, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 11, 2015.
 
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, 2014.
 

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Critical Accounting Estimates
 
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, 2014.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements," Note 2, "Basis of Presentation."
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
There have been no significant changes to our market risk since December 31, 2014. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of our December 31, 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), 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 and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of June 30, 2015, 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 

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 June 30, 2015, we were named in the following 30 personal injury lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline:
 
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

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, 2014
 
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

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

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

Mereane Carlisle, Charles Paio, Chanelle Valdez, Janice Fevella, and Christine Mariano v. USPLabs, LLC et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV14-00029), filed January 23, 2014


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Nichole Davidson, William Dumlao, Gina Martin, Lee Ann Miranda, Yuka Colescott, Sherine Cortinas, and Shawna Nishimoto v. USPLabs, LLC et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV14-00364), filed August 15, 2014

Rodney Ofisa, Christine Mosca, Margaret Kawamoto as guardian for Jane Kawamoto (a minor), Ginny Pia, Kimberlynne Tom, Faituitasi Tuioti, Ireneo Rabang, and Tihane Laupola v. USPLabs, LLC et al., United States District Court of the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV14-00365), filed August 15, 2014

Palani Pantoham, Deborah Cordiero, J. Royal Kanamu, Brent Pascua, Christie Shiroma, Justan Chun, Kasey Grace, and Adam Miyasoto v. USPLabs, LLC et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV14-00366), filed August 15, 2014

Keahi Pavoa, Derek Kamiya, as personal representative of the Estate of Sonnette Marras, Gary Powell, on behalf of and as conservator for M.P.C.F.S.M., a minor child, R.P.O.C.S.S.M., a minor child, M.P.C.I.H.S.M., a minor child, M.K.C.S.M., a minor child, Michael Soriano, and Lance Taniguchi v. USPLabs, LLC, et al., United States District Court for the District of Hawaii (Case No. CV14-00367), filed August 15, 2014

Ka Wing Tsui and John McCutchen v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Los Angeles County (Case No. BC 559542), filed October 3, 2014

Phetsimone Senevoravong v. USPLabs, LLC et al., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (Case No. 1:14 cv 2419), filed October 31, 2014

Dennis Balila, Melinda Jean Collins, Janice Samson, Mia Fagley, Clayton Goo, Joliana Kurtz and Mae Kwan v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, San Diego County (Case No. 37-2015-00008455), filed March 13, 2015

Cuong Bahn, Ismael Flores, Chue Xiong, Leilani Groden, Trudy Jenkins, and Mary Hess v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Orange County (Case No. 30-2015-00776749), filed March 12, 2015

Alexis Billones, Austin Ashworth, Karen Litre, Nancy Murray, Wendy Ortiz, Edward Pullen, and Corazon Vu v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Los Angeles County (Case No. BC575264), filed March 13, 2015

Asofiafia Morales, Richard Ownes, Lynn Campbell, Joseph Silzgy, Delphone Smith-Dean, Nicole Stroud, Barrett Mincey and Amanda Otten v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Los Angeles County (Case No. BC575262), filed March 13, 2015

Laurie Nadura, Angela Abril-Guthmiller, Sarah Rogers, Jennifer Apes, Ellen Beedie, Edmundo Cruz, and Christopher Almanza v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Monterey County (Case No. M131321), filed March 13, 2015

Cynthia Noveda, Demetrio Moreno, Mee Yang, Tiffone Parker, Christopher Tortal, David Patton and Raymon Riley v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, San Diego County (Case No. 37-2015-00008404), filed March 13, 2015

Johanna Stussy, Lai Uyeno, Gwenda Tuika-Reyes, Zeng Vang, Kevin Williams, and Kristy Williams v. USPLabs, LLC, et al., California Superior Court, Santa Clara County (Case No. 115CV78045), filed March 13, 2015

Natasiri Tali, Tram Dobbs, Mauela Reyna-Perez, Kimberly Turvey, Meagan Van Dyke, Hang Nga Tran, Shea Steard, and Jimmy Tran v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Los Angeles County (Case No. BC575263), filed March 13, 2015

Issam Tnaimou, Benita Rodriguez, Marcia Rouse, Marcel Macy, Joseph Worley, Joanne Zgrezepski, Crystal Franklin, Deanne Fry, and Caron Jones, in her own right, o/b/h Joshua Jones and o/b/o Joshua Jones and ob/o The Estate of James Jones v. USPLabs, LLC et al., California Superior Court, Monterey County (Case No. M131322), filed March 13, 2015.
 

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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.
 
Other Legal Proceedings.    For additional information regarding certain other legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, see Note 6, "Contingencies" to 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, 2014.

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 June 30, 2015:
 
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchase(1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share (2)
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 1 to April 30, 2015
1,040,591

 
$
45.89

 
1,040,591

 
$
296,648,783

May 1 to May 31, 2015
1,233,044

 
$
44.33

 
1,233,044

 
$
241,963,679

June 1 to June 30, 2015

 
$

 

 
$
241,963,679

Total
2,273,635

 
$
45.04

 
2,273,635

 
 

 
(1)
In August 2014, we announced that our Board 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 24 month period ending August 31, 2016 (the “Repurchase Program”). 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 June 30, 2015.

(2)
Excludes commission of $0.02 per share.

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Item 4 is not applicable.
 
Item 5.  Other Information
 
None.
 

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Item 6.   Exhibits
 
Exhibit
 
 
No.
 
Description
31.1*
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
 
Certification of Principal Financial 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/ Tricia K. Tolivar
Date: July 30, 2015
Tricia K. Tolivar
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)


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