PITTSBURGH, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Franchising today announced a new financing program that includes up to 75% financing for conversions of select corporate locations as well as new store openings. Plus, candidates are also eligible for special discounts including $10,000 off the franchise fee. This initiative is intended to help qualified applicants who want to change their careers by operating a GNC franchise.

(Logo:  https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110302/NE57701LOGO )

To supplement the expanded financing, conversions of select corporate locations also qualify for special discounts:  

• $10,000 off the initial franchise fee
• 10% off the price of the store
• 5% royalty rate reduced from 6% in your first year of business*
• $1,500 credit for local marketing to help promote your grand re-opening

Many New Locations also available to choose from, or bring us your site and let our real estate team lock in your deal for your new GNC store—franchise now and save:

• $10,000 off the initial franchise fee*
• $1,500 credit for local marketing to help promote your grand opening
• Up to 75% financing

"Franchisees remain an important part of GNC's successful growth strategy in the booming $27 billion nutrition and supplements industry, but restraints on obtaining small business loans area significant deterrent right now," said Tom Dowd Executive VP of Stores, Operations, and Development.  "We've expanded financial support to include select corporate stores as well as new locations because we want to see qualified applicants who are passionate about retail and who enjoy helping others live well realize their career goals without being hindered by difficulty accessing credit from their banking institutions."

Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked GNC the #1 franchise in our industry for 22 years in a row. The GNC Franchise system benefits from over 76 years of retail and brand dominance; comprehensive classroom training and on-site support fully assist Franchisees in their new GNC store.

Act Now! Open Your Own GNC Store Today!

Visit GNCFranchising.com to learn more, or call Bruce Pollock at 412-288-2078 to discuss available locations.

About GNC

GNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products.  As of December 31, 2010, GNC has more than 7,200 locations, of which more than 5,800 retail locations are in the United States (including 903 franchise and 2,003 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations), and franchise operations in 46 countries.  The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – also offers products and product information online at www.gnc.com.

*Incentive savings on select corporate locations cannot be combined with other offers; valid only for licenses awarded to new franchisees and stores opened before June 30, 2011.

SOURCE GNC