Health Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc. is thrilled to announce that its recent Young Earth Human Alliance ("YEHA" ) Camp was an incredible success. 
Gilbert, Arizona (PRWEB) May 24, 2012 - There is a unique Dahn Yoga workshop that includes a special mind body program for young people called the Young Earth Human Alliance (YEHA). The YEHA Camp, developed by the national leader in health and wellness, took place at Honors Haven in upstate New York in late March and recently at Sedona Mago Retreat Center, near Sedona, Arizona. The event welcomed a number of notable young people to get in shape and find ways to truly understand their dreams and ambitions. The event featured nature walks and meditation techniques. The event allowed scores of young individuals to build self-confidence and engage in exercises to explore their true hopes and dreams...

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Velocity Sports Performance, specializing in advanced sports performance training for athletes of all ages and skill levels, is an Official Sponsor of the 51st Annual Athletic Awards Breakfast in Newport Beach. Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce on May 31, the local community event honors the achievements of the top 30 athletes from Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high schools during the 2011-12 school year.
"We're excited to be involved in the Athletic Awards Breakfast in support of our local high school sports community," said Linda Archer, owner of the Newport-Mesa sports performance center, which opened in December. "These young athletes and their families are no doubt very proud that many years of hard work and dedication are being recognized among their peers and neighbors before they go off to college...

Original Online Series Tracks Four Women's Journeys to Live Well Every Day
PITTSBURGH, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), the nation's largest specialty retailer of health, wellness and sports nutrition products, today announced the launch of Transformation Diaries, a custom web series in partnership with Discovery Fit & Health that follows four women working to achieve their personal "live well" goals at discoveryhealth.com/transformation. Transformation Diaries will take viewers inside each woman's unique journey as they break down personal barriers and transform their bodies, mindsets and lives. JJ Virgin, one of the nation's foremost fitness and nutrition experts, serves as the women's mentor and guide, providing tailored transformation regimens and tips and encouragement along the way...

Zinga Frozen Yogurt at Northpark Plaza in Westminster, Colorado is giving away free 6oz cups of frozen yogurt from 5pm Friday, May 25 to 5pm Sunday, May 27th.
Westminster, Colorado (PRWEB) May 24, 2012 - Zinga Frozen Yogurt at Northpark Plaza in Westminster, Colorado is giving away free 6oz cups of frozen yogurt from 5pm Friday, May 25 to 5pm Sunday, May 27th. Northpark Plaza is located on the South West corner of 120th and Federal next to King Soopers. No purchase necessary.
Zinga, the world’s best frozen yogurt, offers twelve flavors of delicious frozen yogurt daily. This self-serve concept enables customers to mix and match any combination of these flavors with over 50 toppings including fresh fruits. Customers create the size dessert they want and then pay by the ounce...

Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia Centers Add to Nationwide Expansion
OWINGS MILLS, Md., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED) announces the grand openings of eleven Medifast Weight Control Centers in three new markets: Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia. For more information and to find the nearest Medifast Weight Control Center, log onto http://www.medifastcenters.com or call 1-888-Y-MEDIFAST.
Four Centers opened in Jacksonville, two Centers in Miami, and five Centers in Southern Virginia from February through May 2012. The Southern Virginia Centers are located in Chesapeake, Newport News, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.
"Our focus is on opening new Medifast Weight Control Centers in strong markets, and Jacksonville, Miami, and Southern Virginia offer that opportunity...

Expert Panel Discusses the Roles of Public and Private Sectors in Addressing Obesity to Ensure Military Readiness
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Weight Watchers International, Inc. and National Journal today convened a policy summit to examine the growing national security threat posed by a shrinking pool of Americans lean enough to serve in the military.
At a time when U.S. forces are stretched thin overseas, obesity is the leading medical disqualifier for military service. Some 27 percent of potential recruits between the ages of 17-24 would weigh too much to qualify to enlist in the armed forces.[i] This presents a security threat for the nation as it creates challenges for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, who together must attract more than 184,000 new recruits annually...

First of its Kind Wellness System Improves Muscular Strength And Bone Health in Just Five Minutes a Week
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON, TX – For a maturing baby boomer population, aging well has become a top priority. As people age, lowered bone density, loss of muscle strength, and the aches and pains of growing older are factors that greatly reduce the quality of life.
In addition, Osteoporosis is reaching epidemic proportions with over 10 million Americans already diagnosed with the condition and another 34 million having low bone mass. Bones naturally become thinner as we age because existing bone is broken down more quickly than new bone is produced. This eventually can lead to painful and limiting osteoporosis...

Zinga, The World's Best Frozen Yogurt, will hold its Grand Opening on Saturday, June 2nd in Saugus at Fellsway Plaza, at the intersection of Route 1 and Broadway. 
Saugus, MA (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - Zinga, The World's Best Frozen Yogurt, will hold its Grand Opening on Saturday, June 2nd in Saugus at Fellsway Plaza, at the intersection of Route 1 and Broadway. The Saugus location is the second of several planned for the Boston area.
Zinga offers twelve flavors of delicious frozen yogurt daily. Our self-serve concept enables customers to mix and match any combination of these flavors with over 50 toppings including fresh cut fruits. Customers create the size dessert they want and then pay by the ounce.
With over forty flavors in rotation, from Pacific Coast Tart to Cookies and Cream, there is something for everyone...

Grueling, Emotional Experience Left "Blisters On Their Hearts"
Episode Airs Sunday, June 10th on ABC-TV
HASTINGS, Minn. (May 22, 2012) /PRNewswire/ — Minnesota natives and self-made millionaires Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen are no strangers to hard work. But neither of the co-founders of Anytime Fitness could anticipate how emotionally and physically exhausted they’d be after five days of filming an upcoming episode of ABC’s “Secret Millionaire.”
Runyon and Mortensen were selected to be featured on the hit ABC show “Secret Millionaire” which taped in the summer of 2011 in Oklahoma City. The co-founders were dropped off in a poverty-stricken neighborhood with only $75 for the two of them to spend the entire week...

Fort Worth, TX Member Awarded One-Year of Free Facials & Supply of Murad® Skincare Products
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services announced today that the company has performed its one-millionth facial. The recipient of the Anti-Aging Facial was Harriet Haun, a member at the Massage Envy Spa located at 3100 Texas Sage Trail in the Alliance Town Center in Fort Worth, Texas. To mark this significant milestone, Massage Envy and Murad®have awarded Haun with complimentary facials for one year as well as a one-year supply of Murad skincare products.
The Anti-Aging Facial, which is designed to produce vibrant, younger-looking skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, incorporates concentrated glycolic acid for maximum exfoliation...

Complete Nutrition Lifts Strategic Freeze, Will Open 125 Stores in Next Three Years
OMAHA, Neb., May 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After intentionally halting all franchise expansion in 2011, Complete Nutrition, the nation's fastest-growing nutritional supplement retailer, has recently re-launched its franchise program and will continue to expand the health and fitness brand across the country.
Complete Nutrition, which saw its revenue grow from $5 million in 2008 to a projected $100 million in 2012, added more than 80 stores from 2010 to 2011 as its system expanded from 19 to more than 100 locations. Company executives responded to the rapid growth by proactively freezing new franchise development so it could adequately support existing franchisees and maintain the integrity of the brand known for taking a personal and consultative approach to health and fitness...

PITTSBURGH, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC, the "Company"), a leading global specialty retailer of nutritional products, today announced that Mike Nuzzo, the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Morgan Stanely Retail & Restaurant Conference on May 23rd, 2012 at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, MA. GNC's presentation, which is scheduled for 10:15 am EDT, will be available via webcast on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website.
About GNC
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 Purple Bench program is a community offering by Anytime Fitness in Niantic, Connecticut.
East Lyme, CT, May 20, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Purple Bench program is all about free outdoor fitness to inspire the community to be more active. In an effort to get folks outdoors to enjoy the season and get fit, they have enlisted the help of their personal trainers who will lead activities each week that are free, educational and will inspire the community to be more active. It is led by personal trainers and volunteers from Anytime Fitness. The program originated three years ago and was the brainstorm of Anytime Fitness co-owner Axel Mahlke. He had the idea to inspire his staff to volunteer their services to lead walks, runs, hikes, and Nordic Walks to encourage folks to get out and enjoy the great outdoors...

Set to Open First Two Clubs in London
May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The more than 30 million UK adults who take part in sports or exercise will soon have another option when choosing a health and fitness facility.
Snap Fitness, the franchisor of more than 1,300 24/7 fitness centers worldwide, recently announced plans to open 75-100 clubs throughout the UK during the next five years, including 10 in Greater London by the end of the year.
London’s first two facilities will open in Kenton and Milton Keynes in June and July respectively.
“There is real opportunity for sector growth ahead, as more people see health and fitness as a necessity versus a luxury,” said Peter Taunton, who founded Snap Fitness in 2003 and has since expanded the brand throughout six countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, Australia and New Zealand...

Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc,. a national leader of health and wellness, is thrilled to announce its Brooklyn Heights studio as the Center of the Month for May. 
Gilbert, Arizona (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc., a national leader in health and wellness, is proud to highlight the accomplishments of its Brooklyn Heights, New York, Dahn Yoga studio. Located in one of the most diverse boroughs of the Empire State, the center features a number of creative, high-energy participants. Students at this diverse Dahn Yoga location have been actively fostering a sense of togetherness while balancing their bodies and minds.
Center manager, Amy Long decided to become a Dahn Yoga master after attending a Young Earth Human Alliance (YEHA) camp...

Rockland, MA, May 9, 2012 - On May 2nd, Koko FitClub co-founders, Mike Lannon and Mary Obana, presented American Cancer Society and Relay for Life representatives with a check for $6000 on behalf of the company's franchises nationwide. The donation was the result of the first ever “5 Million Point Challenge,” a fundraising effort that capitalized on the ability of the innovative fitness club’s patented Smartraining™ technology to do something no other health clubs can do: collect and compile all the exercise activity data of its members across the country and translate it into points tallied toward a unique fundraising goal.
During the weekend of March 24-25, 2012, in the true spirit of Relay for Life, participants in 66 clubs across 27 states linked arms virtually and walked with their fellow “Koko Nuts” to raise the money for cancer research...

Massage Envy Fredericksburg and Massage Envy Dumfries Beat Out 748 Clinics to Take Home the prestigious Excellence in Multi-Unit Franchise Operations Award
Fredericksburg, VA (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 - Massage Envy Fredericksburg and Massage Envy Dumfries recently won the Excellence in Multi-Unit Franchise Operations Award at the annual Massage Envy Conference. These clinics beat out 748 other locations nationwide to win this very prestigious award. Additionally, both locations received the Excellence in Customer Service Award, while Massage Envy Dumfries also took home Excellence in Membership Sales.
“The reason why we won the awards and have been so successful? That’s easy. Our staff, 100%,” says Owner Charles Fisher...

May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // Cincinnati, OH - FirstLight HomeCare, a franchised provider of professional, non-medical, live-in and hourly care services to seniors and others who need assistance, is pleased to announce the addition of Clay Neff to its corporate team as director of franchise development. After eight years working in franchise sales and development for various companies, Neff brings his business acumen and franchising expertise to his new position at FirstLight. In his new role, he will be responsible for guiding well-qualified franchise candidates through the franchise award process.
“I’m looking forward to working with a company that is poised for optimum growth where I can utilize my skills and experience to further elevate the brand,” said Neff...

National Fitness Chain Opens 20 New Locations in 2011, Inks an Additional 25 Franchise Agreements
COLTS NECK, N.J., May 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In early-May, more than 150 RetroFitness franchise owners, vendor partners, and company corporate executives joined together at The Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. to celebrate the growth and success of the national fitness company's franchise system.
With an emphasis on providing value to consumers at the current $19.99 a month memberships, the two-day event kicked off with a vendor trade show where RetroFitness franchise owners experienced firsthand new product and equipment innovations available to them to gain a more competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Eric Casaburi, founder and CEO of RetroFitness, held an hour-long corporate meeting and shared the company's vision for 2012 and strength of the brand as a whole...

Weight Management Genetic Test Enables BalanceDiet™ to Individualize Targeted Lifestyle Plans Based on Clients' DNA
TAMPA, Fla., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BalanceDiet™ Company is pleased to announce that its clients can now take advantage of an exclusive genetic fat test to obtain personalized diet and fitness recommendations as part of their complete lifestyle program. The weight management genetic test was a key component of the services offered by Results Weight Loss, which BalanceDiet recently acquired, and the company has subsequently introduced the genetic fat test at all of its BalanceDiet Centers nationwide as well as through its BalanceDiet At Home program.
Interleukin Genetics developed the genetic test panel used within the BalanceDiet program...