PITTSBURGH, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health and wellness products, today noted that it has been named the top Health & Beauty franchise in the world on the Top 100 Global Franchises list from Franchise Direct. GNC was also cited as #7 overall on the list, a definitive ranking of the best franchises in the world, joining such franchising powerhouses as McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and Wyndham Hotel Group.

GNC currently has more than 1,000 franchise locations in the U.S. along with franchise operations in more than 50 countries, including China and Russia.

Joseph Fortunato, GNC's Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, said, "This award highlights the commitment and hard work of all of our franchisees as well as the support our franchising group provides in helping to ensure their success and capitalize on our leading GNC global brands. Together, we have made the GNC Live Well brand one of the most respected retailing brands in the U.S., and this is a key competitive advantage for our franchisees."

Franchise Direct is a leading portal of franchise and business opportunities.

About Us
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC."

The Company – which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well – has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships.  GNC's broad and deep product mix, which is focused on premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men®, Ultra Mega®, Total Lean™, Pro Performance®, Pro Performance® AMP, Beyond Raw®, and under nationally recognized third party brands.  As of December 31, 2013, GNC has more than 8,500 locations, of which more than 6,300 retail locations are in the United States (including 1,012 franchise and 2,215 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in more than 50 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made).

Web:  
GNC.com l Twitter: @GNCLiveWell l Facebook: facebook.com/GNCLiveWell

Media Contact: 
Laura Brophy 
212-537-5177 Ext 2 
lbrophy@marketcompr.com

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SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc.