Franchise Pick

THE INCHES-A-WEIGH "LICENSE": THE PERFECT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY?

by Sean Kelly on December 18th, 2007

(FranchisePick.com)  The 60% of Americans who are overweight represent, in more ways than one, a huge and growing market.  While it’s hard for the naturally sveldt like you and I to relate to, the solution for the “other” 60% seems pretty clear:  Diet & Exercise.  While the marketers of miracle diet books, infomercial AB contraptions and foilwrapped wonderfoods would have you believe otherwise, losing weight, for the most part, means burning more calories (exercise) than you take in (diet).  So a franchise that combined both exercise and diet into one concept for women would be a beautiful thing, would it not?  As beautiful as the all-female in vitro love child borne of Jenny Craig and Curves for Women?

That’s what Inches-A-Weigh offers, and their website claims their license opportunity is “the perfect business”:

Inches-A-Weigh is the only “all-inclusive” program that combines nutritional guidance, behavior modification, body sculpting, and cardiovascular fitness all under one roof. This eliminates the cost and inconvenience of joining both a diet center and a gym. Our core difference—on-site exercise—offers customers a permanent year-round lifestyle center. We offer twice the value at half the price. We are rewarded with monthly renewal revenue from our active and inactive members, which our competitors do not enjoy….

Our highly unique center design and innovative Nutrition – Body Sculpting – Cardiovascular Fitness provides a “women’s day spa” ambience. By creating an atmosphere that caters to the growing number of women who seek a more personalized and encompassing service, our owners are confident in knowing they offer more than just a health club or a commercial diet center.

Some contend that Inches-A-Weigh is less than the perfect business.

It’s doubtful Inches-A-Weigh licensee Connie DiVecchio sees it as a perfect business.  In his October story on the DiVecchio’s failed franchise, Will Oremus of the San Mateo Daily News reported that DiVecchio closed her franchise, is filing for bankruptcy and faces fraud allegations from her angry customers:

Customers who showed up Monday at the women’s fitness club on El Camino Real in San Mateo found a sign on the door saying “Out of business.” As they began talking to each other about the mysterious closure, they discovered that many of them had been overcharged for their membership dues in recent weeks.
Miffed, they called police, who are now investigating allegations of criminal fraud against the business owner, Connie DiVecchio.

According to this July, 2007 story in the Tracy Press, it’s doubtful that Inches-A-Weigh licensees Gary & Phyllis Anderson believe it’s a perfect business:

The Andersons wrote in the letter that Inches-a-Weigh did not make enough money to support the operating costs. The couple bought the franchise for $100,000 in January.

“The closure of this business will result in the loss of a valuable resource to our community,” Anderson wrote. “Its closure has also caused financial ruin to our family and will require my husband and I to file a personal bankruptcy.”
About 200 club members received letters in the mail four weeks ago that apologized for the gym’s unexpected closure but gave no promise of refunds.

It’s unlikely Inches-A-Weigh licensee A. Goldberg  of Suwanee GA sees it as a perfect business, as A. posted on Rip-Off Report:

I wanted to open a business that made money and really helped people. Inches a Weigh seemed to be the perfect opportunity. I left a 6 figure sales job and sunk everything I had into the business. I asked all the right questions but fell for slick answers.
I purchased an Inches A Weigh Licensing Agreement in 2001. I opened in June 2001 and closed in February of 2003, less than 2 years.

 A. Goldberg does not appear to be fond of IAW founder Scott Simcik. 

WHAT DO THINK?  ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH INCHES-A-WEIGH?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.  LEAVE A COMMENT.

Share This

Related Stories

• Franchise Warning: Inches A Weigh
• Inches-A-Weigh Franchise Failure Prompts Fraud Probe, Lawsuits
• 30 Minute Fitness Club Franchises: Blogliography
• Lite for Life Offers Help to Members of Closed Inches-A-Weigh
• 8 Franchise Opportunities for March 8th

POSTED IN: INCHES-A-WEIGH, xBuyer Beware