Weight Watchers International Inc. - Introduction

Introduction

175 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, New York 11797
U.S.A.
Telephone: (516) 390-1400
Toll Free: (800) 651-6000
Fax: (516) 390-1334
Web site: http://www.weightwatchers.com

Public Company
Incorporated: 1963
Employees: 46,000
Sales: $1.02 billion (2004)
Stock Exchanges: New York
Ticker Symbol: WTW
NAIC: 812990 All Other Personal Services

Weight Watchers International Inc., the world's leading weight loss service provider, grew from the dream of one woman into a global franchise with annual sales exceeding $1 billion. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has replaced the founder as the personality most associated with the enterprise. More than a million and a half people attend the company's weight loss classes in about 30 countries around the world. In 1999 parent firm H.J. Heinz sold the company's diet center enterprise to the European investment firm Artal Luxembourg SA. Weight Watchers, a public company since 2001, faced a downturn in enrollment during the early years of the 21st century as dieters turned to quick result weight loss solutions.