Pure Weight Loss Chain Closing: Many Questions, Few Answers

(FranchisePick.Com) The abrupt closing of 400 Pure Weight Loss centers nationwide, which has left thousands of members owed hundreds, even thousands of dollars in products and services, is remarkable in the complete lack of information being provided even to the its own soon-to-be-unemployed staff members. Vahan Karian, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, would not speak to the media. The company’s attorney did not return calls. Pure Weight Loss’ public relations firm would disclose how many diet centers and employees were affected by the closure.

If you have information or insight to add to the murky timeline of events, please share it in the comments section below.

August, 2007 LA Weight Loss changed its name to Pure Weight Loss. Pure Weight Loss hired Joy McAndrew, formerly with NutriSystem, as VP Marketing.

December 8, 2007: FranchisePick.Com reader and Pure Weight Loss member Ana reports that she and her sister “went in for our usual weigh in, only to find that the office was closed, called monday, and nobody answered.went online got their 800 # and called they simple said that they closed their California offices.”

December 11, 2007 Pure Weight Loss VP Marketing Joy McAndrew posted a press release touting a new affiliate program for the “Pure at Home” (PureAtHome.com) online weight loss program. (SEE BELOW) Shortly after, pureathome has the same closure notice as the main site.

December 17, 2007 FranchisePick.Com reader and Pure Weight Loss member Martin W reports he and his wife ”found out that the office will be open for 2 more days. Yesterday apparently many people went in and got as many products as they could to fill what they had already paid for.”

December 18, 2007 FranchisePick.Com reader and Pure Weight Loss member Nala says she called her center ” to let them know when I would be coming in for a weigh in and no one answered the phone, so I called another center to see what was going on…. When the counsler answered the phone she told me the only reason why she answered the phone is because she thought I was another counsler returning her call and that as of Jan. 2, 2007 all the stores will be closed.”

December 19, 2007 Philly.com posted: “In a terse statement, Pure Weight Loss said it would close Jan. 4 after 18 years because of “fierce competition from the Internet; the introduction of Alli, the over-the-counter weight-loss pill, and other commercial diet programs; combined with a difficult economic environment.”

Pure Weight Loss Affiliate Program Set to Gain Momentum

Pure Weight Loss, facilitating weight loss management through centers and Web sites, has recently launched an affiliate program.

(PRWEB) December 11, 2007 — Pure Weight Loss, facilitating weight loss management through centers and Web sites, has recently launched an affiliate program. Interested parties in the online community will be able to showcase Pure Weight Loss‘ “At Home” services.

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We hope to extend our services to more individuals and provide our affiliates with opportunities to grow their own businesses through the affiliate program.

These services focus on helping people lose weight from the convenience of their own homes by offering consultation from dietitians, online tools, recipe modifications using their exclusive Pure Chef service, and their own line of products that include weight loss supplements to help keep clients in control.

Those affiliates partaking in the program will be able to offer browsers the same opportunities found at Pure Weight Loss‘ At Home site. Affiliates will be able to utilize their sites to host Pure Weight Loss’ banners and logos, directing potential members to the Pure Weight Loss affiliate site.

Affiliates will benefit $35 for each new At Home member joining the system through their site.

Pure Weight Loss established the At Home concept to make it easier for clients to lose weight anywhere at their convenience. The site offers the same services found in their 350+ nationwide centers.

“We want to deliver the same individualized attention and effective results to our clients at home as we do in our centers,” states Senior Vice President of Operations, Chris Burnard. “We hope to extend our services to more individuals and provide our affiliates with opportunities to grow their own businesses through the affiliate program.”

The Pure Weight Loss At Home site is designed with resources to ameliorate weight loss. Customized programs are engineered by dietitians, and counselors are available to provide support 24/7.

The site proudly boasts their exclusive Pure Chef feature which allows users to submit a recipe for their favorite dishes to be modified to fit their weight loss program. Meal planners, restaurant guides, and other tools are incorporated into the site, as well. PureAtHome.com also offers the entire line of products offered by Pure Weight Loss, available for purchase with free shipping on orders over $50.

Pure Weight Loss offers their services in their nationwide centers and online. The objective of their services is to promote learning and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. The company utilizes one-on-one support, teaching about nutrition, and providing insights about eating healthy in order to help their clients obtain their goals.

Pure Weight Loss was founded in 1989 and has become a leading company in the weight loss industry. The Pure Weight Loss system is designed to offer their members convenient, effective, and affordable results using an individualized approach. Pure Weight Loss offers freedom and flexibility to help their clients stay in control. Visit the Pure Weight Loss Web site at www.PureWeightLoss.com.

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Lite for Life Offers Help to Members of Closed Inches-A-Weigh

(FranchisePick.Com) Source: Some fitness clubs leave members in bad shape

…Chris Bruno, president of Burlingame-based weight-loss chain Lite for Life, said it’s not uncommon for fitness companies to change their name or shut down in response to lawsuits alleging shoddy business practices. Industry giant Pure Weight Loss, formerly LA Weight Loss, recently announced the closure of all 400 of its locations, including one in San Carlos.

After reading about Inches-A-Weigh’s closure in the Daily News, Bruno offered to honor its former customers’ contracts, saying he wants to show not all weight loss clubs are disreputable.

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Smart for Life™ Offers $100 to Pure Weight Loss Customers

(FranchisePick.Com) Source: PR.WEB

Smart for Life™ Invites Pure Weight Loss Clients to Lose Weight the Smart Way

Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers is offering Pure customers $100 towards program fees at participating Smart for Life™ Centers*.

When people finally make the decision to lose weight and gain better health, it is imperative that they are able to make progress on a safe, effective program. Especially during this time of year, Smart for Life™ is eager to help the Pure clients achieve success on our program and not lose the momentum they are experiencing in achieving their weigh loss goals.

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) December 23, 2007 — Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers is offering Pure customers $100 towards program fees at participating Smart for Life™ Centers*. The Smart for Life program is the Smart Way to lose weight without contracts or long-term food purchasing. Clients are motivated to stick with the Smart for Life™ program when they see a loss of 12 to 15 pounds a month** and feel great!

“We’re here to help you continue your journey,” says Dr. Sasson Moulavi, Chief Medical Officer of the Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers. “When people finally make the decision to lose weight and gain better health, it is imperative that they are able to make progress on a safe, effective program. Especially during this time of year, Smart for Life™ is eager to help the Pure clients achieve success on our program and not lose the momentum they are experiencing in achieving their weigh loss goals.”

Pure Weight Loss clients are invited and encouraged to call 866-821-THIN or find a location on our Smart for Life™ website at www.smartforlife.com.

The revolutionary Smart for Life™ Weight Management Program is a science-based program for safe, rapid weight-loss. The one-on-one physician supervised weight-loss program empowers clients with the knowledge, guidance, and motivation they need to lose weight. The experienced medical staff monitors and encourages the client’s progress until the goal weight is achieved, and then follows the client on a long-term maintenance plan. Smart for Life™ physicians address metabolic and health-related problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and under active thyroid. The combination of Smart Foods and professional supervision enables the Smart for Life™ client to safely and quickly lose up to 12 to 15 pounds a month**. There are no contracts with the Smart for Life™ program and products are purchased on a weekly basis.

Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers, the Franchisor with corporate headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, is an international franchise company with over 40 locations in North America. The company has helped hundreds of thousands of people make positive changes in their lives by helping them reach and maintain their weight loss goals.

*Offer good only at participating Smart for Life™ Weight Management Centers.
**Results may vary.