Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
[ X ]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 For the quarterly period ended March 31,
June 30, 2019
  
[     ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
 
For the transition period from                     to                     .
 
Commission File Number:  001-35113
 GNC Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware20-8536244
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
  
300 Sixth Avenue15222
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices) 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (412) (412) 288-4600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share GNC New York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                  X ] Yes [    ] No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).                             X ] Yes [    ] No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer [ ]
Accelerated filerX ]Non-accelerated filer [   ]Smaller reporting company [   ]
Emerging growth company [   ]

 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.                                                       [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
[     ] Yes [ X ] No
 
As of April 25,July 18, 2019, there were 83,969,31184,580,537 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “common stock”), of GNC Holdings, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
   PAGE
  
 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
 
GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$137,117

$67,224
$95,893

$67,224
Receivables, net119,352

127,317
110,996

127,317
Inventory (Note 4)410,951

465,572
405,426

465,572
Forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock
 88,942

 88,942
Prepaid and other current assets17,528

55,109
15,746

55,109
Total current assets684,948
 804,164
628,061
 804,164
Long-term assets: 
  
 
  
Goodwill79,111

140,764
79,266

140,764
Brand name300,720

300,720
300,720

300,720
Other intangible assets, net75,463

92,727
74,128

92,727
Property, plant and equipment, net95,574

155,095
91,966

155,095
Right-of-use assets (Note 8)401,456
 
379,954
 
Equity method investments (Note 6)97,803
 
99,709
 
Other long-term assets35,062

34,380
34,403

34,380
Total long-term assets1,085,189
 723,686
1,060,146
 723,686
Total assets$1,770,137
 $1,527,850
$1,688,207
 $1,527,850
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$174,682

$148,782
$144,726

$148,782
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)

158,756


158,756
Current lease liabilities (Note 8)117,093
 
113,919
 
Deferred revenue and other current liabilities107,770

120,169
104,502

120,169
Total current liabilities399,545
 427,707
363,147
 427,707
Long-term liabilities: 
  
 
  
Long-term debt (Note 5)888,353

993,566
854,740

993,566
Deferred income taxes15,304

39,834
13,929

39,834
Lease liabilities (Note 8)401,617
 
373,219
 
Other long-term liabilities43,007

82,249
45,629

82,249
Total long-term liabilities1,348,281
 1,115,649
1,287,517
 1,115,649
Total liabilities1,747,826
 1,543,356
1,650,664
 1,543,356
Contingencies (Note 9)


 




 


      
Mezzanine equity:      
Convertible preferred stock (Note 10)211,395
 98,804
211,395
 98,804
      
Stockholders’ deficit: 
  
 
  
Common stock130
 130
130
 130
Additional paid-in capital1,009,041

1,007,827
1,010,591

1,007,827
Retained earnings538,439

613,637
554,497

613,637
Treasury stock, at cost(1,725,349)
(1,725,349)(1,725,349)
(1,725,349)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(11,345)
(10,555)(13,721)
(10,555)
Total stockholders’ deficit(189,084) (114,310)(173,852) (114,310)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficit$1,770,137
 $1,527,850
$1,688,207
 $1,527,850
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
      
Revenue (Note 3)
$564,764
 $607,533
$533,997
 $617,944
 $1,098,760
 $1,225,477
Cost of sales, including warehousing, distribution and occupancy361,673
 400,659
340,253
 410,209
 701,925
 810,868
Gross profit203,091
 206,874
193,744
 207,735
 396,835
 414,609
Selling, general, and administrative148,303
 160,730
143,840
 158,531
 292,143
 319,261
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures (Note 6)19,514
 
1,779
 
 21,293
 
Other income, net(208) (245)
Other (income) loss, net(593) 320
 (801) 75
Operating income35,482
 46,389
48,718
 48,884
 84,200
 95,273
Interest expense, net (Note 5)32,956
 21,773
24,964
 32,943
 57,920
 54,716
Gain on convertible debt repurchase(3,214) 
 (3,214) 
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock
 
 16,787
 
Loss on debt refinancing
 16,740

 
 
 16,740
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock16,787
 
(Loss) income before income taxes(14,261) 7,876
Income before income taxes26,968
 15,941
 12,707
 23,817
Income tax expense (Note 13)1,956
 1,686
13,030
 2,600
 14,986
 4,286
(Loss) income before income from equity method investments(16,217) 6,190
Income (loss) before income from equity method investments13,938
 13,341
 (2,279) 19,531
Income from equity method investments (Note 6)955
 
2,120
 
 3,075
 
Net (loss) income$(15,262) $6,190
(Loss) earnings per share (Note 11):
 
  
Net income$16,058
 $13,341
 $796
 $19,531
Earnings (loss) per share (Note 11):
 
  
    
Basic$(0.23) $0.07
$0.13
 $0.16
 $(0.09) $0.23
Diluted$(0.23) $0.07
$0.11
 $0.16
 $(0.09) $0.23
Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 11):
 
  
 
  
    
Basic83,510
 83,232
83,663
 83,332
 83,587
 83,282
Diluted83,510
 83,368
140,942
 83,409
 83,587
 83,389
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
      
Net (loss) income$(15,262) $6,190
Net income$16,058
 $13,341
 $796
 $19,531
Other comprehensive loss: 
  
 
  
    
Net change in interest rate swaps:          
Periodic revaluation of interest rate swap, net of tax benefit of $0.7 million(1,464) 
Reclassification adjustment for interest recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations, net of tax expense of $0.1 million236
 
Periodic revaluation of interest rate swap, net of tax(1)
(2,830) (1,290) (4,295) (1,290)
Reclassification adjustment for interest recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations, net of tax(2)
268
 128
 504
 128
Net change in unrecognized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax(1,228) 
(2,562) (1,162) (3,791) (1,162)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)438
 (846)186
 (950) 625
 (1,796)
Other comprehensive loss(790) (846)(2,376) (2,112) (3,166) (2,958)
Comprehensive (loss) income$(16,052) $5,344
Comprehensive income (loss)$13,682
 $11,229
 $(2,370) $16,573

(1)Net of tax of $1.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and net of tax of $1.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
(2)Net of tax of $0.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and net of tax of $0.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

Common Stock Treasury Stock 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
Common Stock Treasury Stock 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
Class A Class A 
Shares Dollars Shares Dollars 
Balance at December 31, 201883,886
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,007,827
 $613,637
 $(10,555) $(114,310)83,886
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,007,827
 $613,637
 $(10,555) $(114,310)
Impact of the adoption of ASC 842
 
 
 
 (59,936) 
 (59,936)
 
 
 
 (59,936) 
 (59,936)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 (15,262) (790) (16,052)
 
 
 
 (15,262) (790) (16,052)
Dividend forfeitures on restricted stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock awards121
 
 
 
 
 
 
121
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum tax withholding requirements(41) 
 
 (120) 
 
 (120)(41) 
 
 (120) 
 
 (120)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 1,334
 
 
 1,334

 
 
 1,334
 
 
 1,334
Balance at March 31, 201983,966
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,009,041
 $538,439
 $(11,345) $(189,084)83,966
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,009,041
 $538,439
 $(11,345) $(189,084)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 16,058
 (2,376) 13,682
Restricted stock awards628
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum tax withholding requirements(15) 
 
 (108) 
 
 (108)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 1,658
 
 
 1,658
Balance at June 30, 201984,579
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,010,591
 $554,497
 $(13,721) $(173,852)
                          
Balance at December 31, 201783,567
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,001,315
 $543,814
 $(5,831) $(185,921)83,567
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,001,315
 $543,814
 $(5,831) $(185,921)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 6,190
 (846) 5,344

 
 
 
 6,190
 (846) 5,344
Dividend forfeitures on restricted stock
 
 
 
 42
 
 42

 
 
 
 42
 
 42
Restricted stock awards149
 
 
 
 
 
 
149
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum tax withholding requirements(54) 
 
 (223) 
 
 (223)(54) 
 
 (223) 
 
 (223)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 1,512
 
 
 1,512

 
 
 1,512
 
 
 1,512
Balance at March 31, 201883,662
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,002,604
 $550,046
 $(6,677) $(179,246)83,662
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,002,604
 $550,046
 $(6,677) $(179,246)
Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 13,341
 (2,112) 11,229
Restricted stock awards229
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum tax withholding requirements(3) 
 
 (3) 
 
 (3)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 1,962
 
 
 1,962
Balance at June 30, 201883,888
 $130
 $(1,725,349) $1,004,563
 $563,387
 $(8,789) $(166,058)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

Three months ended March 31,Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net (loss) income$(15,262)
$6,190
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

 
Net income$796

$19,531
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

 
Depreciation and amortization expense10,190

12,105
18,704

24,106
Income from equity investments(955) 
Income from equity method investments(3,075) 
Amortization of debt costs7,988

3,609
12,364

9,025
Stock-based compensation1,334

1,512
2,992

3,474
Loss on forward contracts related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock16,787


16,787


Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures19,514
 
21,293
 
Gain on convertible notes repurchase(3,214) 
Gains on refranchising(21) 
(398) (208)
Loss on debt refinancing
 16,740

 16,740
Third-party fees associated with refinancing
 (15,753)
 (16,322)
Changes in assets and liabilities:









(Increase) decrease in receivables(12,567)
11,840
(4,400)
2,112
(Increase) in inventory(6,886)
(22,766)
Increase in prepaid and other current assets(3,658)
(9,473)
Increase in inventory(706)
(9,201)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other current assets874

(3,175)
Increase in accounts payable57,722

21,791
24,886

6,751
Increase in deferred revenue and accrued liabilities(627)
388
Decrease in deferred revenue and accrued liabilities(6,081)
(1,017)
Decrease in net lease liabilities(18,556) 
Other operating activities(4,848)
(1,111)3,057

(2,674)
Net cash provided by operating activities68,711

25,072
65,323

49,142










Cash flows from investing activities: 

 
 

 
Capital expenditures(3,017)
(3,732)(6,460)
(8,333)
Refranchising proceeds710

465
1,710

1,175
Store acquisition costs(43)
(116)(190)
(118)
Proceeds from net asset exchange101,000
 
101,000
 
Capital contribution to the newly formed joint ventures(13,079) 
(13,079) 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities85,571

(3,383)82,981

(7,276)










Cash flows from financing activities: 

 
 

 
Borrowings under revolving credit facility22,000

50,000
22,000

104,000
Payments on revolving credit facility(22,000)
(32,500)(22,000)
(104,000)
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible preferred stock199,950
 
199,950
 
Payments on Tranche B-1 Term Loan(147,312) (1,138)(147,312) (2,275)
Payments on Tranche B-2 Term Loan(114,000) (10,700)(123,774) (21,400)
Payments on convertible notes repurchase(24,708) 
Original issuance discount and revolving credit facility fees
(10,365)
(35,216)(10,365)
(35,235)
Fees associated with the issuance of convertible preferred stock(12,564) (2,183)(12,814) (226)
Minimum tax withholding requirements(120)
(223)(228)
(3,014)
Net cash used in financing activities(84,411)
(31,960)(119,251)
(62,150)










Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents22

141
(384)
(364)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents69,893

(10,130)28,669

(20,648)
Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents67,224

64,001
67,224

64,001
Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents$137,117

$53,871
$95,893

$43,353
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
(unaudited)



As of March 31,As of June 30,
2019 20182019 2018
Non-cash investing activities:(in thousands)(in thousands)
Capital expenditures in current liabilities$1,115
 $1,203
$1,242
 $1,120
Non-cash financing activities:      
Original issuance discount (Note 5)$
 $19,587
$
 $13,231

Refer to Note 8, "Leases" for supplemental cash flow information related to the Company's leases.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.


GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1.  NATURE OF BUSINESS
GNC Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings,” and collectively with its subsidiaries and, unless the context requires otherwise, its and their respective predecessors, the “Company”), is a global health and wellness brand with a diversified, omni-channel business. The Company's assortment of performance and nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs and greens, health and beauty, food and drink and other general merchandise features innovative private-label products as well as nationally recognized third-party brands, many of which are exclusive to GNC. 
The Company's operations consist of purchasing raw materials, formulating and manufacturing products and selling the finished products through its three reportable segments, U.S. and Canada, International, and Manufacturing / Wholesale (refer to Note 12, "Segments" for more information). Corporate retail store operations are located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Ireland. In addition, the Company offers products on the internet through GNC.com and third-party websites. Franchise locations exist in the United States and approximately 50 other countries. Additionally, the Company licenses the use of its trademarks and trade namesnames.
In February 2019, the Company entered into two joint ventures with Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd ("Harbin") to operate its e-commerce business in China (the "HK JV") and retail business respectively, in China (the "China JV"), which will accelerate its presence and maximize the Company's opportunities for growth in the Chinese supplement market. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company contributed its China business and retained 35% equity interest in the joint ventures.HK JV and China JV. In March 2019, the Company announcedentered into a strategic joint venture with International Vitamin Corporation ("IVC") regarding the Company's manufacturing business (the "Manufacturing JV"), which enables the Company to increase its focus on product innovation while IVC manages manufacturing and integrates with the Company's supply chain thereby driving more efficient usage of capital. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company received $101 million and contributed its Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facility net assets in exchange for an initial 43% equity interest in the newManufacturing JV. Over the next four years, GNC expects to receive an additional $75 million from IVC, adjusted up or down based on the Manufacturing JV's future performance, as IVC’s ownership of the joint venture.venture increases to 100%.
NOTE 2.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION  
The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), include all adjustments (of a normal and recurring nature) that management considers necessary to fairly state the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The MarchDecember 31, 20192018 Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Footnotes included in the Company’s audited financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2019 (the "2018 10-K"). Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2019.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of the New Lease Standard

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2018 and is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, which provides companies with the option to apply the new lease standard either at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented or in the period of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 and its related amendments (collectively known as "ASC 842") during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 electing the optional transition relief amendment that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and did not restate prior periods.  In transitioning to ASC 842, the Company elected to use the practical expedient package available under the guidance for leases that commenced before the effective date and did not elect to use hindsight. The Company has implemented a new lease management and accounting system and updated its processes and internal controls to comply with the new standard.


The Company leases substantially all of ourits retail stores in the U.S. and Canada segment, including most of the domestic franchise stores that are leased and subleasesubleased to franchisees, the fourits distribution centers in the United

States and retail stores in Ireland. In addition, the Company has leased office locations vehiclesand vehicle and equipment leases to support our store and supply chain operations. All of the Company's leases are classified as operating leases.

The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception. The lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the term at the commencement date for leases exceeding 12 months. The lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. The minimum lease payments include only fixed lease components, as well as any variable rate payments that depend on an index, initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date. Lease terms may include options to renew when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise an option. The Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate, which iswas estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments for each lease, using a portfolio approach. The right-of-use assets recognized are initially equal to the lease liability, adjusted for any lease payments made on or before the commencement dates and lease incentives.

The Company recognized lease liabilities of $550.2 million on January 1, 2019. A right-of-use asset of $504.2 million was recognized based on the lease liability, adjusted for the reclassification of deferred rent of $53.3 million and prepaid rent of $7.3 million. Additionally, the Company recognized $79.8 million of right-of-use asset impairment charges forrelated to certain of the Company's stores for which it was previously determined that the carrying value of the such stores' assets were not recoverable. The right-of-use asset impairment charges were recorded as a reduction to January 1, 2019 (opening day) retained earnings, net of tax of $19.8 million. The new lease standard has no impact on the timing or classification of the Company's cash flows as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

The lease liabilities for the operating leases are amortized using the effective interest method. The right-of-use asset is amortized by taking the difference between total rent expense recorded on straight linestraight-line basis and the lease liability amortization. When the right-of-use asset for an operating lease is impaired, lease expense is no longer recognized on a straight-line basis. For impaired leases, the Company continues to amortize the lease liability using the same effective interest method as before the impairment charge and the right-of-use asset is amortized on a straight-line basis.

Refer to Note 8 "Leases" for additional information relating to the impact of adopting ASC 842.information.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-used software. This standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 3.  REVENUE  
Revenue is recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. The Company satisfies performance obligations either over time or at a point in time as discussed in further detail below. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Applicable sales tax collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities is excluded from revenue.
U.S. and Canada Revenue
The following is a summary of revenue disaggregated by major source in the U.S. and Canada segment:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
U.S. company-owned product sales: (1)
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Protein$80,257
 $87,670
$77,160
 $87,072
 $157,345
 $174,742
Performance supplements74,778
 75,616
73,083
 73,100
 147,824
 148,716
Weight management30,779
 39,787
29,607
 38,686
 60,373
 78,473
Vitamins47,056
 50,371
44,936
 49,495
 91,944
 99,866
Herbs / Greens15,873
 16,158
15,536
 16,945
 31,391
 33,103
Wellness47,200
 47,701
46,370
 49,680
 93,515
 97,381
Health / Beauty46,388
 48,054
46,535
 47,525
 92,888
 95,579
Food / Drink28,243
 25,360
26,259
 28,709
 54,483
 54,069
General merchandise6,800
 7,062
5,519
 5,878
 12,318
 12,940
Total U.S. company-owned product sales$377,374
 $397,779
$365,005
 $397,090
 $742,081
 $794,869
Wholesale sales to franchisees58,257
 57,160
59,869
 60,675
 118,126
 117,835
Royalties and franchise fees8,472
 8,748
8,175
 8,532
 16,647
 17,280
Sublease income10,976
 11,765
10,498
 11,633
 21,474
 23,398
Cooperative advertising and other franchise support fees5,067
 5,533
4,754
 5,973
 9,821
 11,506
Other (2)
29,011
 31,429
27,759
 33,414
 57,067
 64,843
Total U.S. and Canada revenue$489,157
 $512,414
$476,060
 $517,317
 $965,216
 $1,029,731
(1)Includes GNC.come-commerce sales.
(2)Includes revenue primarily related to operations in Canada operations and the loyalty programs, myGNC Rewards and PRO Access.Access, as further discussed below.
International Revenues
The following is a summary of the revenue disaggregated by major source in the International reportable segment:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Wholesale sales to franchisees$25,437
 $21,760
$27,019
 $27,185
 $52,456
 $48,945
Royalties and franchise fees6,202
 6,621
6,332
 6,576
 12,319
 13,197
Other (1)
9,284
 11,684
6,097
 14,874
 15,596
 26,558
Total International revenue$40,923
 $40,065
$39,448
 $48,635
 $80,371
 $88,700
(1) Includes revenue primarily related to China operations prior to the newly formed joint ventures in China effective February 13, 2019 and company-owned stores located in Ireland.
(1)Includes revenue related to China operations prior to the transfer of the China business to the HK JV and China JV, which was effective February 13, 2019, wholesale sales to the HK JV and China JV, and revenue from company-owned locations in Ireland.

Manufacturing / Wholesale Revenue
The following is a summary of the revenue disaggregated by major source in the Manufacturing / Wholesale reportable segment:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Third-party contract manufacturing(1)
$15,783
 $32,722
$
 $30,580
 $15,783
 $63,302
Intersegment sales(1)
35,505
 64,663

 65,238
 35,505
 129,901
Wholesale partner sales18,901
 22,332
18,489
 21,412
 37,390
 43,744
Total Manufacturing / Wholesale revenue$70,189
 $119,717
$18,489
 $117,230
 $88,678
 $236,947

(1) The decrease in third-party contract manufacturing and intersegment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the prior year quarter is due to the transaction with IVC for the newly formed manufacturing joint venture effective March 1, 2019.
(1)The decrease in third-party contract manufacturing and intersegment sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the prior year period is due to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the newly formed Manufacturing JV effective March 1, 2019.
Revenue by Geography
The following is a summary of the revenue by geography:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
Total revenues by geographic areas(1):
(in thousands)(in thousands)
United States$535,943
 $572,231
$510,762
 $579,324
 $1,048,805
 $1,151,555
Foreign28,821
 35,302
23,235
 38,620
 49,955
 73,922
Total revenues$564,764
 $607,533
$533,997
 $617,944
 $1,098,760
 $1,225,477

(1) Geographic areas are defined based on legal entity jurisdiction.
(1)Geographic areas are defined based on legal entity jurisdiction.
Balances from Contracts with Customers
Contract assets represent amounts related to the Company's contractual right to consideration for completed performance obligations not yet invoiced. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had contract assets of $25.5 million for specialty manufacturing recorded within prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (with a corresponding reduction to inventory at cost). Due to the contributiontransfer of the Nutra manufacturing net assets to the manufacturing joint venture with IVCManufacturing JV on March 1, 2019, the Company hashad no contract assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,June 30, 2019.

Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract. The Company's PRO Access and loyalty program points are recorded within deferred revenue and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred franchise and license fees are recorded within deferred revenue and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table presents changes in the Company’s contract liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2019:liabilities:

Three months ended March 31, 2019Six months ended June 30, 2019
Balance at Beginning of Period Recognition of revenue included in beginning balance Contract liability, net of revenue, recognized during the period Balance at the End of PeriodBalance at Beginning of Period Recognition of revenue included in beginning balance Contract liability, net of revenue, recognized during the period Balance at the End of Period
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Deferred franchise and license fees$33,464
 (2,861) 668
 $31,271
$33,464
 (5,533) 2,247
 $30,178
PRO Access and loyalty program points24,836
 (12,423) 12,863
 25,276
24,836
 (18,093) 19,207
 25,950
Gift card liability3,416
 (1,523) 181
 2,074
3,416
 (1,793) 343
 1,966

As of March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company had deferred franchise fees with unsatisfied performance obligations extending throughout 2029 of $31.3$30.2 million, of which approximately $7.2$6.5 million is expected to be recognized over the next 12 months. The Company has elected to use the practical expedient allowed under the rules of adoption to not disclose the duration of the remaining unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.
NOTE 4.  INVENTORY
The net realizable value of inventory consisted of the following:
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Finished product ready for sale$410,951
 $416,113
$405,426
 $416,113
Work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials(1)

 46,520

 46,520
Packaging supplies(1)

 2,939

 2,939
Inventory$410,951
 $465,572
$405,426
 $465,572
(1) The decrease in work-process, buck and raw materials and packaging supplies as of March 31, 2019 compared with December 31, 2018 is due to the transaction with IVC for the newly formed manufacturing joint venture effective March 1, 2019.
(1)The decrease in work-in-process, bulk product and raw materials and packaging supplies as of June 30, 2019 compared with December 31, 2018 is due to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing net assets to the Manufacturing JV effective March 1, 2019.
NOTE 5.  LONG-TERM DEBT / INTEREST EXPENSE
Long-term debt consisted of the following: 
March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
June 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Tranche B-1 Term Loan$
 $147,289
$
 $147,289
Tranche B-2 Term Loan (net of $11.4 million and $17.5 million discount)446,799
 554,760
FILO Term Loan (net of $10.2 million and $10.9 million discount)264,768
 264,086
Tranche B-2 Term Loan (net of $9.9 million and $17.5 million discount)438,517
 554,760
FILO Term Loan (net of $9.6 million and $10.9 million discount)265,450
 264,086
Unpaid original issuance discount
 11,445

 11,445
Notes177,440
 175,504
151,346
 175,504
Debt issuance costs(654) (762)(573) (762)
Total debt888,353
 1,152,322
854,740
 1,152,322
Less: current debt
 (158,756)
 (158,756)
Long-term debt$888,353
 $993,566
$854,740
 $993,566


On February 28, 2018, the Company amended and restated its Senior Credit Facility (the "Amendment", and the Senior Credit Facility as so amended, the "Term Loan Agreement"), which included an extension of the maturity date of a portion of the term loan from March 2019 to March 2021 (the "Tranche B-2 Term Loan"). The remaining term loan continued to have a maturity date of March 2019 ("the Tranche B-1 Term Loan"). ProvidedIn the event that all outstanding amounts under the convertible senior notes exceeding $50.0 million haveare not been repaid, refinanced, converted or effectively discharged prior to May 2020 ("Springing Maturity Date"), the maturity date of the Tranche B-2 Term Loan becomeswill become the Springing Maturity Date, subject to certain adjustments. In connection with the debt refinancing, the Company recognized a loss of $16.7 million during the first quarter of 2018, which primarily includesincluded third-party fees. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company had paid downoff the Tranche B-1 Term Loan and had $446.8$438.5 million outstanding under the Tranche B-2 Term Loan outstanding.Loan. The Company also hadentered into a new asset-based credit agreement (the "ABL Credit Agreement"), consisting of:
a $264.8$275.0 million asset-based Term Loan Facility advanced on a “first-in, last-out” basis (the "FILO Term Loan") with a maturity date of December 2022 (which maturity date will become May 2020, subject to certain adjustments, should the Springing Maturity Date be triggered); and
a $100 million asset-based Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") with a maturity date of August 2022 (which maturity date will become May 2020, subject to certain adjustments, should the Springing Maturity Date be triggered). In connection with the contribution of the Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facility net assets to the manufacturing joint venture with IVC, the Revolving Credit Facility decreasedwas reduced from $100 million to $81 million effective March 2019. As of March 31,June 30, 2019 there were no borrowings outstanding on the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Tranche B-2 Term Loan requires annual aggregate principal payments of at least $43 million and bears interest at a rate of, at the Company's option, LIBOR plus a margin of 8.75% per annum subject to change under certain circumstances (with a minimum and maximum margin of 8.25% and 9.25%, respectively, per annum), or prime plus a margin of 7.75% per annum subject to change under certain circumstances (with a minimum and maximum

margin of 7.25% and 8.25%, respectively, per annum). Any mandatory repayments as defined in the credit agreement shall be applied to the remaining annual aggregate principal payments in direct order of maturity. As discussed in further detail below, in November 2018 the Company paid $100 million on the Tranche B-2 Term Loan and elected to use the payment to satisfy the scheduled amortization payments on the Term Loan Facility through December 2020. The Term Loan Agreement is secured by a (i) first lien on certain assets of the Company primarily consisting of capital stock issued by General Nutrition Centers, Inc. ("Centers") and its subsidiaries, intellectual property and equipment (“Term Priority Collateral”) and (ii) second lien on certain assets of the Company primarily consisting of inventory and accounts receivable (“ABL Priority Collateral”). The Term Loan Agreement is guaranteed by all material, wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the “U.S. Guarantors”) and by General Nutrition Centres Company, an unlimited liability company organized under the laws of Nova Scotia (together with the U.S. Guarantors, the “Guarantors”).    
There are no scheduled amortization payments associated with the FILO Term Loan, which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 7.00% per annum subject to decrease under certain circumstances (with a minimum possible interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 6.50% per annum). Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% (subject to an increase or decrease of 0.25% based on the amount available to be drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility). The Company is also required to pay an annual fee to revolving lenders equal to a maximum of 2.0% (subject to adjustment based on the amount available to be be drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility) on outstanding letters of credit and an annual commitment fee of 0.375% on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, which is subject to an increase to 0.5% based on the amount available to drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility. The FILO Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility are secured by a (i) first lien on ABL Priority Collateral and (ii) second lien on Term Priority Collateral. The FILO Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Guarantors.
Under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement and ABL Credit Agreement (collectively, the "Credit Facilities"), the Company is required to make certain mandatory prepayments, including a requirement to prepay first the Tranche B-2 Term Loan (until repaid in full) and second the FILO Term Loan (until repaid in full, but only if such prepayment is permitted under the ABL Credit Agreement) in each case annually with amounts based on excess cash flow, as defined in the Company’s Credit Facilities, based on the results of the Company for the prior fiscal year. The payment will be 75% of excess cash flow for each such fiscal year, subject to a reduction to 50% based on the attainment of a certain Consolidated Net First Lien Leverage Ratio, and will be reduced by certain scheduled debt payment amounts. The Company made the first excess cash flow payment in April 2019the amount of $9.8 million in April 2019 with respect to the year ending December 31, 2018. The Company expects thisthe excess cash flow payment for the year ending December 31, 2019, which is required to be paid in the second quarter of 2020, to be between $25 million and $35 million at 50% with respect to the year ending December 31, 2019, which is expected to be paid in the second quarter of 2020..

At March 31,June 30, 2019, the interest rates under the Tranche B-2 Term Loan and the FILO Term Loan were 11.3%11.1% and 9.5%9.4%, respectively. At December 31, 2018, the interest raterates under the Tranche B-1 Term Loan, Tranche B-2 Term Loan, and the FILO Term Loan were 5.7%, 11.8%, and 9.5%, respectively. At March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company had $74.2$74.6 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility, after giving effect to $6.2 million utilized to secure letters of credit and $0.6a $0.2 million reduction to borrowing ability as a result of decrease in net collateral.
The Company’s Credit Facilities contain customary covenants, including limitations on the ability of GNC Corporation, Centers, and Centers' subsidiaries to, among other things, incur debt, grant liens on their assets, enter into mergers or liquidations, sell assets, make investments or acquisitions, make optional payments in respect of, or modify, certain other debt instruments, pay dividends or other payments on capital stock, or enter into arrangements that restrict their ability to pay dividends or grant liens. Despite these limitations, the Company has the ability to discharge the liabilities of GNC Holdings, Inc. in the ordinary course of business through a variety of alternatives, including a restricted payment basket, a junior lien debt incurrence basket, and repayment of intercompany debt.
In addition, the Term Loan Agreement requires compliance, as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company, with a maximum Consolidated Net First Lien Leverage Ratio initially set at 5.50 to 1.00 through December 31, 2018 and decreasing to 5.00 to 1.00 from March 31, 2019 to December 31, 2019 and 4.25 to 1.00 thereafter. Depending onIf the amount available to be drawnCompany’s availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the borrowing base or (ii) $12.5M, then the ABL Credit Agreement requires compliance as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company with a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.00 to 1.00. The Company is currently in compliance, and expects to remain in compliance over the next twelve months, with the terms of its Credit Facilities.
In connection withThe Company utilized proceeds from the strategic investment from Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd ("Harbin") and the manufacturing joint ventureManufacturing JV with IVC the Company received (i)to pay down outstanding long-term debt. The $100 million investment from Harbin received in November 2018 which was utilized to pay a portion of the Tranche B-2 Term Loan andLoan. The Company elected to use the payment to satisfy the scheduled amortization payments through December 2020, (ii) approximately2020. The Company received the $200 million investment from Harbin in the first quarter of 2019 and (iii) $101 million from IVC in the first quarter of 2019. The Company applied such2019, the proceeds of which were used to pay down the remaining balance of the Tranche B-1 Term Loan that matured in March 2019. The remaining proceeds, together with cash generated from operating activities, were utilized to pay $114.0 million of the Tranche B-2 Term Loan and the original issuance discount due to the Tranche B-2 Term Loan lenders at 2% of the outstanding balance.

Management believes that the Company will have sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations, as they become due, for the next twelve months.  While our plan is to refinance our capital structure, we make no assurances regarding the likelihood, certainty or timing of this refinancing. In the event that a refinancing does not occur before the Springing Maturity Date or the August 2020 maturity date, management believes that the Company will have the ability to repay $159.1 million of the Notes with projected cash on hand and the Revolving Credit Facility.
Convertible Debt
TheAs of June 30, 2019, the Company maintains $188.6$159.1 million in principal amount of 1.5% convertible senior notes due in August 2020 (the "Notes"). The Notes consist of the following components:
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Liability component      
Principal$188,565
 $188,565
$159,094
 $188,565
Conversion feature(9,788) (11,489)(6,830) (11,489)
Discount related to debt issuance costs(1,337) (1,572)(918) (1,572)
Net carrying amount$177,440
 $175,504
$151,346
 $175,504

During the second quarter of 2019, the Company repurchased $29.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes for $24.7 million in cash. The convertible debt repurchase resulted in a gain of $3.2 million, which included the unamortized conversion feature of $1.3 million and unamortized discount of $0.2 million.

Interest Rate Swaps
On June 13, 2018, the Company entered into two interest rate swaps with notional amounts of $275 million and $225 million to limit the exposure of its variable interest rate debt by effectively converting it to a fixed interest rate. The Company receives payments based on the one-month LIBOR and makes payments based on a fixed rate. The Company receives payments with a floor of 0.00% and 0.75%, respectively, on the $275 million and $225 million interest rate swaps, which aligns with the related debt instruments. The interest rate swap agreements had an effective date of June 29, 2018. The $225 million interest rate swap expires on February 28, 2021, and the $275 million interest rate swap expires on June 30, 2021. The notional amount of the $225 million interest rate swap ishas scheduled to decreasedecreases to $175 million on June 30, 2019, $125 million on June 30, 2020 and $75 million on December 31, 2020. The Company designated these instruments as cash flow hedges deemed effective upon initiation. The interest rate swaps are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded within other comprehensive gain (loss)loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Operations as interest expense in the period in which the underlying transaction affects earnings.

The fair values of the derivative financial instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

(in thousands, except percentages)(in thousands, except percentages)    (in thousands, except percentages)    
  Fair Value at   Fair Value at
Notional Amount Fixed Rate Balance Sheet Classification March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018Notional Amount Fixed Rate Balance Sheet Classification June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
              
Accounting cash flow hedges:Accounting cash flow hedges:      Accounting cash flow hedges:      
Interest rate swap$275,000
 2.82% Other long-term liabilities $3,641
 $2,371
$275,000
 2.82% Other long-term liabilities $6,306
 $2,371
Interest rate swap225,000
 2.74% Other long-term liabilities 1,348
 839
Interest rate swap1
175,000
 2.74% Other long-term liabilities 2,397
 839
Net carrying amount$500,000
   Total liabilities $4,989
 $3,210
$450,000
   Total liabilities $8,703
 $3,210

(1)The notional amount of the $225 million interest rate swap had decreased to $175 million on June 30, 2019 as scheduled.

At March 31,June 30, 2019, there was a cumulative unrealized loss of $3.4$6.0 million, net of tax, related to these interest rate swaps included in accumulated other comprehensive income loss. This loss would be immediately recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations if these instruments fail to meet certain cash flow hedge requirements. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, the amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the interest rate swaps to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months is not material. Refer to Note 7, "Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments" for more information on how the interest rate swaps are valued.

Interest Expense
Interest expense consisted of the following:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)    
          
Tranche B-1 Term Loan coupon$928
 $8,058
$
 $1,683
 $928
 $9,741
Tranche B-2 Term Loan coupon16,468
 6,824
12,954
 18,705
 29,422
 25,529
FILO Term Loan coupon6,751
 2,122
6,826
 6,218
 13,578
 8,340
Revolving Credit Facility123
 132
96
 238
 219
 370
Terminated revolving credit facility
 316

 
 
 316
Amortization of discount and debt issuance costs6,043
 1,755
2,522
 3,540
 8,565
 5,295
Subtotal30,313
 19,207
22,398
 30,384
 52,712
 49,591
Notes:          
Coupon707
 707
729
 707
 1,436
 1,414
Amortization of conversion feature1,701
 1,610
1,611
 1,633
 3,312
 3,243
Amortization of discount and debt issuance costs244
 244
242
 243
 486
 487
Total Notes2,652
 2,561
2,582
 2,583
 5,234
 5,144
Other(9) 5
(16) (24) (26) (19)
Interest expense, net$32,956
 $21,773
$24,964
 $32,943
 $57,920
 $54,716




NOTE 6. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

In February 2019, the Company contributed its China business in exchange for 35% ownership of each of the newly formed joint ventures (the “HK JV”with Harbin, the HK JV and the "China JV").China JV. The HK JV includes the operation of the cross-border China e-commerce business, and has an exclusive right to use the Company’s trademarks to manufacture and distribute the Company’s products in China (excluding Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) via e-commerce channels. The China JV is a retail-focused joint venture to operate GNC's brick-and-mortar retail business in China and it will have an exclusive right to use the Company's trademarks to manufacture and distribute the Company's products in China (excluding Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau) via retail stores and pharmacies. The HK JV closed in February 2019 and the China JV agreement is expected to be completed in the secondthird or thirdfourth quarter of 2019 following the satisfaction of certain routine regulatory and legal requirements.
In March 2019, the Company received $101 million from IVC and contributed the net assets of the Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facilities in exchange for an initial 43% equity interest in a newly formed manufacturing joint venture (the “Manufacturing JV”).venture. In addition, the Company made a capital contribution of $10.7 million to the Manufacturing JV forto fund its share of short-term working capital needs. Over the next four years, GNC expects to receive an additional $75$75 million from IVC, adjusted up or down based on the Manufacturing JV's future performance, from IVC as IVC’s ownership of the joint venture increases to 100%. The Manufacturing JV is responsible for the manufacturing of the products previously produced by the Company’sCompany at the Nutra manufacturing facility.
Gain (loss) from the net asset exchange
In connection with the formation of the joint ventures effective in the first quarter of 2019, the Company deconsolidated its China business and theits Nutra manufacturing business effectivewhich resulted in the first quarter of 2019 and recorded a pre-tax gain of $5.8 million and loss of $25.3$27.1 million, respectively, which is recorded within loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The $5.8 million gain from the Harbin transaction iswas calculated based on the difference between the fair value of the 35% equity interest in the HK JV and China JV, less the carrying value of the contributed China business, including $2.4 million of cash, and third-party closing fees. The $25.3$27.1 million loss from the Manufacturing JV transaction, isof which $1.8 million related to a working capital purchase price adjustment recognized in the second quarter of 2019, was calculated based on the fair value of the 43% equity interest retained in theth

e Manufacturing JV and the $101 million in cash received, less the carrying value of the contributed Nutra and Anderson facilities and third-party closing fees.

The Company's interestinterests in the joint ventures are accounted for as equity method investments due to the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over the management decisions of the joint ventures. Under the equity method, the Company's share of profits and losses from the joint ventures is recorded within equity income (loss) from equity method investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The following table provides a reconciliation of equity method investments on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
 
  (in thousands)
 Manufacturing JV$75,434
 $
 Manufacturing JV capital contribution10,714
 
 HK JV and China JV10,700
 
 Income from equity method investments955
 
 Total Equity method investments$97,803
 $
  June 30, 2019
 
  (in thousands)
 Manufacturing JV$75,434
 Manufacturing JV capital contribution10,714
 HK JV and China JV10,486
 Income from equity method investments3,075
 Total Equity method investments$99,709

In connection with the transaction with IVC, the Company entered into a lease for warehouse space within the Anderson facility. Refer to Note 8, "Leases" for more information on the lease with the Manufacturing JV. Subsequent to the formation of the Manufacturing JV,information. Additionally, the Company purchased approximately $21$72 million of finished goods from the Manufacturing JV during the periodsix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 and had approximately $20 million and $4$14 million accounts payable and accounts receivable, respectively, outstanding as of March 31,June 30, 2019. The intra-entity transactions between the Company andIn connection with the HK JV, whichthe Company recognized revenue, primarily consist offrom wholesale sales were immaterial duringand royalties, of $4.3 million for the periodsix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 and had $7.1 million accounts receivable outstanding as of June 30, 2019.
NOTE 7.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value as a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that marketplace participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the standard establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 — observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;
Level 2 — observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other inputs that are observable, or can be corroborated by observable market data; and
Level 3 — unobservable inputs for which there are little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and the Revolving Credit Facility approximate their respective fair values. Based on the interest rates currently available and their underlying risk, the carrying value of franchise notes receivable recorded in other long-term assets approximates its fair value.
The carrying value and estimated fair value of the forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock, the Term Loan Facility, net of discount, Notes (net of the equity component classified in stockholders' equity and discount) and the interest rate swaps were as follows:

March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Assets:              
Forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock$
 $
 $88,942
 $88,942
$
 $
 $88,942
 $88,942
Liabilities:              
Tranche B-1 Term Loan$
 $
 $147,289
 $145,080
$
 $
 $147,289
 $145,080
Tranche B-2 Term Loan446,799
 430,938
 554,760
 511,766
438,517
 385,759
 554,760
 511,766
FILO Term Loan264,768
 267,204
 264,086
 260,125
265,450
 267,773
 264,086
 260,125
Notes177,440
 134,854
 175,504
 131,628
151,346
 128,644
 175,504
 131,628
Interest rate swaps4,989
 4,989
 3,210
 3,210
8,703
 8,703
 3,210
 3,210

The forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock are measured at fair value, as of the valuation date, using a single factor binomial lattice model (the "Lattice Model") which incorporates the terms and conditions of the convertible preferred stock and is based on changes in the prices of the underlying common share price over successive periods of time. Key assumptions of the Lattice Model include the current price of the underlying stock and its historical and expected volatility, risk-neutral interest rates and the instrumentsinstrument's remaining term.  These assumptions require significant management judgment and are considered Level 3 inputs. The forward contracts were revalued at each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The forward contracts settled upon issuance on January 2, 2019 and February 13, 2019.
    The fair values of the term loans were determined using the instrument’sinstruments' trading value in markets that are not active, which are considered Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the Notes was determined based on quoted market prices and bond terms and conditions, which are considered Level 2 inputs. The Company's interest rate swaps are carried at fair value, which is based primarily on Level 2 inputs utilizing readily observable market data, such as LIBOR forward rates, for all substantial terms of the interest rate swap contracts and the assessment of nonperformance risk.
NOTE 8. LEASES
The Company has operating leases for retail stores, distribution centers, other leased office locations, vehicles and certain equipment with remaining lease terms of 1 yearone to 1415 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years. As of June 30, 2019, the weighted average remaining lease term was 5.3 years and the weighted average discount rate was 10%. On the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company had lease liabilities of $518.7$487.1 million, of which $117.1$113.9 million are classified as current, and right-of-use assets of $401.5$380.0 million.
The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease exemption for all asset classes and excluded them from the balance sheet. Lease payments for short-term leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The short-term rent expense recognized during the three months and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 is immaterial. The components of the Company's rent expense, which is recorded within cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2019Three months ended June 30, 2019 Six months ended June 30, 2019
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Company-owned and franchise stores:    
Operating leases$36,602
$30,408
 $67,010
Variable lease costs (1)
21,509
24,882
 46,391
Total company-owned and franchise stores58,111
55,290
 113,401
Other2,188
1,966
 4,154
Total rent expense$60,299
$57,256
 $117,555
(1) Includes percent and contingent rent, landlord related taxes and common operating expenses.
The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate were as follows:

Three months ended March 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term4.6 years
Weighted average discount rate10%
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
Three months ended March 31, 2019 Six months ended June 30, 2019
(in thousands) 
Operating cash flow information:   
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$44,936
 $85,861
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities$6,442
 $14,374

The Company recorded sublease revenue within revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, of $11.0 million and $11.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, relating to subleases with its franchisees, which includes rental income and other occupancy related items.items, within revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, of $10.5 million and $21.5 million, respectively in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, and $11.6 million and $23.4 million, respectively in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018
Maturities of the lease liabilities (undiscounted lease payments, as defined in Note 2 "Basis of Presentation") as of March 31,June 30, 2019 were as follows:
Operating Leases for Company-Owned and Franchise Stores 
Operating Leases for Other (1)
 Total Operating Leases 
Sublease
Income from Franchisees
 Rent on Operating Leases, net of Sublease RevenueOperating Leases for Company-Owned and Franchise Stores 
Operating Leases for Other (1)
 Total Operating Leases 
Sublease
Income from Franchisees
 Rent on Operating Leases, net of Sublease Revenue
(in thousands)(in thousands)
2019 (remainder)$120,954
 $4,270
 $125,224
 $(23,783) $101,441
$78,864
 $3,671
 $82,535
 $(15,309) $67,226
2020135,834
 4,964
 140,798
 (27,829) 112,969
134,646
 6,340
 140,986
 (27,183) 113,803
2021109,994
 3,643
 113,637
 (22,697) 90,940
107,764
 4,768
 112,532
 (21,964) 90,568
202284,925
 2,342
 87,267
 (17,882) 69,385
81,671
 2,721
 84,392
 (16,983) 67,409
202363,125
 1,180
 64,305
 (13,384) 50,921
61,115
 1,354
 62,469
 (12,753) 49,716
Thereafter136,071
 6,703
 142,774
 (29,548) 113,226
137,389
 6,703
 144,092
 (29,185) 114,907
Total future obligations$650,903
 $23,102
 $674,005
 $(135,123) $538,882
$601,449
 $25,557
 $627,006
 $(123,377) $503,629
Less amounts representing interest

   (155,295)   



   (139,868)   

Present value of lease obligations

 

 $518,710
    

 

 $487,138
    
(1) Includes various leases for warehouses, vehicles, and various equipment at our facilitythe Company's facilities.
As of March 31,June 30, 2019, leases that the Company has entered into but have not yet commenced are immaterial.
In connection with the transaction with IVC for the Manufacturing JV effective March 1, 2019, the Company leased warehouse space within the Anderson facility from the Manufacturing JV for a term of one year. The lease was accounted for as a sale leaseback transaction and classified as an operating lease included in the current lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Disclosures related to periods prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective adoption method at January 1, 2019 as noted in Note 2. "Basis of Presentation." As required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. Minimum future rent obligations for non-cancelable operating leases, excluding optional renewal periods, were as follows for the period endingended December 31, 2018 and exclude landlord related taxes, common operating expenses, and percent and contingent rent.

 Operating Leases for Company-Owned and Franchise Stores 
Operating Leases for Other (1)
 Total Operating Leases 
Sublease
Income from Franchisees
 Rent on Operating Leases, net of Sublease Revenue
 (in thousands)
2019$162,910
 $6,071
 $168,981
 $(29,867) $139,114
2020126,312
 5,574
 131,886
 (23,631) 108,255
202195,000
 4,185
 99,185
 (16,782) 82,403
202264,735
 2,479
 67,214
 (10,285) 56,929
202339,798
 1,290
 41,088
 (4,717) 36,371
Thereafter56,200
 6,703
 62,903
 (4,238) 58,665
Total future obligations$544,955
 $26,302
 $571,257
 $(89,520) $481,737

(1) Includes various leases for warehouses, vehicles, and various equipment at our facilitythe Company's facilties.

NOTE 9.  CONTINGENCIES
The Company is engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business, including claims related to breach of contracts, product liability matters, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters resulting from the Company's business activities.
The Company's contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties, including for each such contingency the following, among other factors: (i) the procedural status of the case; (ii) whether the case has or may be certified as a class action suit; (iii) the outcome of preliminary motions; (iv) the impact of discovery; (v) whether there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) whether the proceedings involve a large number of parties and/or parties and claims in multiple jurisdictions or jurisdictions in which the relevant laws are complex or unclear; (vii) the extent of potential damages, which are often unspecified or indeterminate; and (viii) the status of settlement discussions, if any, and the settlement posture of the parties. Consequently, except as otherwise noted below with regard to a particular matter, the Company cannot predict with any reasonable certainty the timing or outcome of the legal matters described below, and the Company is unable to estimate a possible loss or range of loss for such matters. If the Company ultimately is required to make any payments in connection with an adverse outcome in any of the matters discussed below, it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
As a manufacturer, prior to the formation of the Manufacturing JV, and retailer of nutritional supplements and other consumer products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, the Company has been and is currently subjected to various product liability claims. Although the effects of these claims to date have not been material to the Company, it is possible that current and future product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company currently maintains product liability insurance with a deductible/retention of $4.0 million per claim with an aggregate cap on retained loss of $10.0 million per policy year. The Company typically seeks and has obtained contractual indemnification from most parties that supply raw materials for its products or that manufacture or market products it sells. The Company also typically seeks to be added, and has been added, as an additional insured under most of such parties' insurance policies. However, any such indemnification or insurance is limited by its terms and any such indemnification, as a practical matter, is limited to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party and its insurer, and the absence of significant defenses by the insurers. Consequently, the Company may incur material product liability claims, which could increase its costs and adversely affect its reputation, revenue and operating income.
Litigation
DMAA / Aegeline Claims.  Prior to December 2013, the Company sold products manufactured by third parties that contained derivatives from geranium known as 1.3-dimethylpentylamine/ dimethylamylamine/ 13-dimethylamylamine, or "DMAA," which were recalled from the Company's stores in November 2013, and/or Aegeline, a compound extracted from bael trees. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company was named in 27 personal injury lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline.

The majority of these matters are currently stayed pending final resolution. OneIn one matter, the plaintiff has filed a motion seeking to lift the stay, among other things. This motion is scheduled for trialto be heard by the court in JuneJuly 2019.

The Company is contractually entitled to indemnification by its third-party vendors with regard to these matters, although the Company’s ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against it is dependent upon the creditworthiness of the vendors and/or their insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to their insurers.
California Wage and Break Claims. On February 29, 2012, former Senior Store Manager, Elizabeth Naranjo, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, sued General Nutrition Corporation in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda. The complaint contains eight causes of action, alleging, among other matters, meal, rest break and overtime violations for which indeterminate money damages for wages, penalties, interest, and legal fees are sought. In June 2018, the Court granted in part and denied in part the Company's Motion for Decertification. In August 2018, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the class action claims alleging overtime violations. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, an immaterial liability has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the remaining class action claims asserted in this action. Trial is currently scheduled for September 2019.
Pennsylvania Fluctuating Workweek. On September 18, 2013, Tawny Chevalier and Andrew Hiller commenced a class action in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Plaintiff asserted a claim against the Company for a purported violation of the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act ("PMWA"), challenging the Company's utilization of the "fluctuating workweek" method to calculate overtime compensation, on behalf of all employees who worked for the Company in Pennsylvania and who were paid according to the fluctuating workweek method. In October 2014, the Court entered an order holding that the use of the fluctuating workweek method violated the PMWA. In September 2016, the Court entered judgment in favor of Plaintiffs and the class in an immaterial amount, which has been recorded as a charge in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a petition for an award of attorney's fees, costs and incentive payment. The court awarded an immaterial amount in legal fees. The Company appealed the adverse judgment and the award of attorney's fees. On December 22, 2017, the Pennsylvania Superior Court held that the Company correctly determined the "regular rate" by dividing weekly compensation by all hours worked (rather than 40), but held that the regular rate must be multiplied by 1.5 (rather than 0.5) to determine the amount of overtime owed. Taking accumulated interest into account, the net result of the Superior Court's decision was to reduce the Company's liability by an immaterial amount, which has been reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company filed a petition for appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on January 22, 2018. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court accepted the Company's petition for appeal and the Company filed its appellant’s brief on August 27, 2018. Oral argument occurred in April 2019 and the Company awaits the Court’s ruling.
Jason Olive v. General Nutrition Corp. In April 2012, Jason Olive filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, for misappropriation of likeness in which he alleges that the Company continued to use his image in stores after the expiration of the license to do so in violation of common law and California statutes. Mr. Olive is seeking compensatory, punitive and statutory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs. The trial in this matter began on July 20, 2016 and concluded on August 8, 2016. The jury awarded plaintiff immaterial amounts for actual damages and emotional distress damages, which are accrued in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The jury refused to award plaintiff any of the profits he sought to disgorge, or punitive damages. The court entered judgment in the case on October 14, 2016. In addition to the verdict, the Company and Mr. Olive sought attorneys' fees and other costs from the Court. The Court refused to award attorney's fees to either side but awarded plaintiff an immaterial amount for costs. Plaintiff has appealed the judgment, and separately, the order denying attorney's fees. The Company has cross-appealed the judgment and the Court's denial of attorney fees. Argument occurred in October 2018. On November 2, 2018, the Court affirmed the trial court's decision in part and reversed in part, reversing the denial of Mr. Olive's motion for attorneys' fees and remanding the matter to the trial court for further proceedings regarding his attorneys' fees and costs. On November 16, 2018, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration of the Court’s decision. On December 27, 2018, the Court reversed, in part, its November 2, 2018 ruling and held that there was no prevailing party for the purposes of the attorneys’ fee award. Olive has filed a petition for review with the Supreme Court of the State of California and the Company has opposed that petition. On April 17, 2019, the California Supreme Court denied Olive’s petition for review.
Oregon Attorney General. On October 22, 2015, the Attorney General for the State of Oregon sued the Company in Multnomah County Circuit Court for alleged violations of Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act, in connection with its sale in Oregon of certain third-party products. The Company is vigorously defending itself against these allegations. Along with its Amended Answer and Affirmative Defenses, the Company filed a counterclaim for declaratory relief,

asking the court to make certain rulings in favor of the Company, and adding USPlabs, LLC and SK Laboratories as counterclaim defendants.  In March 2018, the Oregon Attorney General filed a motion for summary judgment relating to its first claim for relief, which the Company contested.  The Company filed a cross motion for

summary judgment on the first claim for relief, which the Oregon Attorney General contested. Following oral argument in August 2018, the Court denied the State’s motion for summary judgment and granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion for summary judgment. The parties are in the process of exchanging discovery. Trial is currently scheduled to begin in September 2019.February 2020.
    As any losses that may arise from this matter are not probable or reasonably estimable at this time, no liability has been accrued in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Moreover, the Company does not anticipate that any such losses are likely to have a material impact on the Company, its business or results of operations. The Company is contractually entitled to indemnification and defense by its third-party vendors. Ultimately, however, the Company's ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against it is dependent upon the creditworthiness of its vendors and/or their insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to their insurers.
E-Commerce Pricing Matters.  In April 2016, Jenna Kaskorkis, et al. filed a complaint against General Nutrition Centers, Inc. followed by similar cases brought forth by Ashley Gennock in May 2016 and Kenneth Harrison in December 2016.  Plaintiffs allege that the Company's promotional pricing on its website was misleading and did not fairly represent promotions based on average retail prices over a trended period of time being consistent with prices advertised as promotional.  The Company attended a mediation with counsel for all plaintiffs and reached a tentative agreement in the third quarter of 2017 on many of the key terms of a settlement. The matters have been effectively stayed while the parties remain in discussions. The Company currently expects any settlement to be in a form that does not require the recording of a contingent liability, except an immaterial amount the Company has accrued in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Government Regulation
In November 2013, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") for information related to its investigation of a third party product vendor, USPlabs, LLC. The Company fully cooperated with the investigation of the vendor and the related products, all of which were discontinued in 2013. In December 2016, the Company reached agreement with the DOJ in connection with the Company's cooperation, which agreement acknowledges the Company relied on the representations and written guarantees of USPlabs and the Company's representation that it did not knowingly sell products not in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the "FDCA"). Under the agreement, which includesincluded an immaterial payment to the federal government, the Company will take a number of actions to broaden industry-wide knowledge of prohibited ingredients and improve compliance by vendors of third party products. These actions are in keeping with the leadership role the Company has taken in setting industry quality and compliance standards, and the Company's commitment over the course of the agreement (60 months) to support a combination of its own and the industry's initiatives. Some of these actions include maintaining and continuously updating a list of restricted ingredients that will be prohibited from inclusion in any products that are sold by the Company.  Vendors selling products to the Company for the sale of such products by the Company will be required to warrant that the products sold do not contain any of these restricted ingredients.  In addition, the Company will develop and maintain a list of ingredients that the Company believes comply with the applicable provisions of the FDCA.       
Environmental Compliance

As part of soil and groundwater remediation conducted at the Nutra manufacturing facility pursuant to an investigation conducted in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (the "DHEC"), we completed additional investigations with the DHEC's approval, including the installation and operation of a pilot vapor extraction system under a portion of the facility in the second half of 2016, which was an immaterial cost to the Company. After an initial monitoring period, in October of 2017 the DHEC approved a work plan for extended monitoring of such system and the contamination into 2021. While the Company contributed the net assets of the Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facilities to the Manufacturing JV in March of 2019 (refer to Note 6 “Equity Method Investments” for additional information), we retained certain liabilities, including historical environmental liabilities, related to the facilities. As such, the Company and the Manufacturing Joint Venture will continue to consult with the DHEC on the next steps in the work after their review of the results of the extended monitoring is complete. At this stage of the investigation, however, it is not possible to estimate the timing and extent of any additional remedial action that may be required, the ultimate cost of remediation, or the amount of our potential liability. Therefore, no liability has been recorded in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.


In addition to the foregoing, the Company is subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign environmental and health and safety laws and regulations governing its operations, including the handling, transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous substances and wastes, as well as emissions and discharges from its operations

into the environment, including discharges to air, surface water and groundwater. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could result in costs for remedial actions, penalties or the imposition of other liabilities, including certain historic liabilities retained by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Manufacturing JV. New laws, changes in existing laws or the interpretation thereof, or the development of new facts or changes in their processes could also cause the Company to incur additional capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations and environmental permits. The Company is also subject to laws and regulations that impose liability and cleanup responsibility for releases of hazardous substances into the environment without regard to fault or knowledge about the condition or action causing the liability. Under certain of these laws and regulations, such liabilities can be imposed for cleanup of previously owned or operated properties, or for properties to which substances or wastes that were sent in connection with current or former operations at its facilities.
From time to time, the Company has incurred costs and obligations for correcting environmental and health and safety noncompliance matters and for remediation at or relating to certain of the Company's current or former properties or properties at which the Company's waste has been disposed. However, compliance with the provisions of national, state and local environmental laws and regulations has not had a material effect upon the Company's capital expenditures, earnings, financial position, liquidity or competitive position. The Company believes it has complied with, and is currently complying with, its environmental obligations pursuant to environmental and health and safety laws and regulations and that any liabilities for noncompliance will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial performance or cash flows. However, it is difficult to predict future liabilities and obligations, which could be material.
NOTE 10. MEZZANINE EQUITY
Holdings is authorized to issue up to 60.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. On February 13, 2018, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (as amended from time to time, the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) by and between the Company and Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (the “Investor”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor agreed to purchase from the Company, 299,950 shares of a newly created series of convertible preferred stock of the Company, designated the “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Convertible Preferred Stock”), for a purchase price of $1,000 per share, or an aggregate of approximately $300 million (the “Securities Purchase”). The Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into 56.1 million shares of the Company's Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $5.35 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. On November 7, 2018, The Company entered into an Amendment to the Securities Purchase Agreement with the Investor. Pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Investor assigned its interest in the Securities Purchase Agreement to Harbin and funded the $300 million investment in three separate tranches. The shares of Convertible Preferred Stock waswere issued as follows: (i) 100,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock issued on November 8, 2018 for a total purchase price of $100 million (the "Initial Issuance"), (ii) 50,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock issued on January 2, 2019 for a total purchase price of $50 million (the "Second Issuance") and (iii) 149,950 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock issued on February 13, 2019 for a total purchase price of approximately $150 million (the “Third Issuance”).
Holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative preferential dividends, payable quarterly in arrears, at an annual rate of 6.5% of the stated value of $1,000 per share, subject to increase in connection with the payment of dividends in kind. Dividends are payable, at the Company's option, in cash from legally available funds or in kind by issuing additional shares of Convertible Preferred Stock with such stated value equal to the amount of payment being made or by increasing the stated value of the outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock by the amount per share of the dividend or in a combination thereof.
As of March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company had issued a total of 299,950 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock. The Convertible Preferred Stock was recorded as Mezzanine Equity, net of issuance cost, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because theythe shares are redeemable at the option of the holder if a fundamental change occurs, which includes change in control or delisting. The guaranteed Second Issuance and Third Issuance were considered forward contracts that represented an obligation to both parties until the shares were issued. The forward contracts were recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018, with any changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded a $16.8 million loss on forward contracts for the issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock during the first quarter ended March 31,of 2019. Upon issuance of the shares associated with the forward contracts, the carrying value of the forward contracts were recorded to Mezzanine Equity.

As of March 31, 2019, there were $4.7 million cumulative undeclared dividends related to the issued and outstandingThe Convertible Preferred Stock of which $3.7 million relate tois not currently redeemable and is only redeemable upon a Fundamental Change at the Stated Value plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends accumulated in the first quarter of 2019. The cumulative undeclared dividends will not be recordedon such shares on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until they are declared.Fundamental Change date. The dividends accumulated in the current period are deducted from earnings available to common stockholders when computing earnings per share. Refer to Note 11, "Earnings Per Share" for more information. As of March 31, 2019, the Company does not believe a fundamental change is considered probable until it occurs. Subsequent adjustment of the amount presented in temporary equity is unnecessary if it is not probable that the instrument will become redeemable.  As the Convertible Preferred Stock is only redeemable upon a fundamental change, the occurrence of which is not probable, we will not accrete the Convertible Preferred Stock until a fundamental change becomes probable to occur.  As such, the Company will recognize changes in the redemption value to the Convertible Preferred Stock as they occur and adjust the carrying value to the redemption value at the end of each reporting period as if the end of the reporting period were also the redemption date for the Convertible Preferred Stock. As of June 30, 2019, the Stated Value of the Convertible Preferred Stock is probable as the occurrence$300.0 million (299,950 shares at $1,000 per share) and there are accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares of the contingent events is deemed not probable.$9.6 million.


NOTE 11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table represents the Company's basic and dilutive weighted-average shares:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Basic weighted average shares83,510
 83,232
83,663
 83,332
 83,587
 83,282
Effect of dilutive Convertible Preferred Stock57,093
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards
 136
186
 77
 
 107
Diluted weighted average shares83,510
 83,368
140,942
 83,409
 83,587
 83,389

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, all 4.0 million outstanding stock-based awards were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share ("EPS") because the Company was in a net loss position and as a result, inclusion of the awards would have been anti-dilutive.
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, theThe following awards were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the impact of applying the treasury stock method was antidilutive or because certain conditions have not been met with respect to the Company's performance awards.
Antidilutive:
Time-based options and restricted stock awards3,206
Performance-based restricted stock awards536
Contingently issuable:
Performance-based restricted stock awards
Performance-based restricted stock awards with a market condition315
Total stock-based awards excluded from diluted EPS4,057
 Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Antidilutive:(in thousands)
Time-based options and restricted stock awards2,504
 2,934
 3,027
 3,070
Performance-based restricted stock awards1,111
 1,283
 1,112
 909
Convertible Preferred Stock
 
 49,979
 
Contingently issuable:       
Performance-based restricted stock awards with a market condition153
 315
 153
 315
Total stock-based awards excluded from diluted EPS3,768
 4,532
 54,271
 4,294

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, all 4.3 million outstanding stock-based awards and 50.0 million shares of Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) because the Company was in a net loss position for EPS purposes and as a result, inclusion of the awards would have been anti-dilutive. The Company has applied the if-converted method to calculate dilution on the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Notes in the current quarter,three and six-months ended 2019, which has resulted in all 42.9 million and 2.92.4 million shares underlying the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Notes respectively, being anti-dilutive.

The computations for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are as follows:
Three months ended March, 31Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands, except per share data)(in thousands, except per share data)
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic          
Net (loss) income$(15,262) $6,190
Net income$16,058
 $13,341
 $796
 $19,531
Cumulative undeclared convertible preferred stock dividend3,716
 
4,950
 
 8,667
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders(18,978) 6,190
11,108
 13,341
 (7,871) 19,531
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic83,510
 83,232
83,663
 83,332
 83,587
 83,282
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic$(0.23) $0.07
$0.13
 $0.16
 $(0.09) $0.23
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted          
Net (loss) income$(15,262) $6,190
Net income$16,058
 $13,341
 $796
 $19,531
Cumulative undeclared convertible preferred stock dividend3,716
 

 
 8,667
 
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders(18,978) 6,190
16,058
 13,341
 (7,871) 19,531
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted83,510
 83,368
140,942
 83,409
 83,587
 83,389
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted$(0.23) $0.07
$0.11
 $0.16
 $(0.09) $0.23



NOTE 12.  SEGMENTS
The Company aggregates its operating segments into three reportable segments, which include U.S. and Canada, International and Manufacturing / Wholesale. Warehousing and distribution costs have been allocated to each reportable segment based on estimated utilization and benefit. The Company's chief operating decision maker (its chief executive officer) evaluates segment operating results based primarily on performance indicators, including revenue and operating income. Operating income of each reportable segment excludes certain items that are managed at the consolidated level, such as corporate costs. The Manufacturing / Wholesale segment manufactures and sells product to the U.S. and Canada and International segments at cost with a markup, which is eliminated at consolidation.
The following table represents key financial information for each of the Company's reportable segments:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Revenue: 
  
 
  
    
U.S. and Canada$489,157

$512,414
$476,060

$517,317

$965,216

$1,029,731
International40,923

40,065
39,448

48,635

80,371

88,700
Manufacturing / Wholesale:










 


Intersegment revenues35,505

64,663


65,238

35,505

129,901
Third party34,684

55,054
18,489

51,992

53,173

107,046
Subtotal Manufacturing / Wholesale70,189

119,717
18,489

117,230

88,678

236,947
Total reportable segment revenues600,269

672,196
533,997

683,182

1,134,265

1,355,378
Elimination of intersegment revenues(35,505)
(64,663)

(65,238)
(35,505)
(129,901)
Total revenue$564,764

$607,533
$533,997

$617,944

$1,098,760

$1,225,477
Operating income: 
  
 
  
    
U.S. and Canada$52,100

$43,490
$49,202

$45,603

$101,302

$89,093
International14,050

14,464
14,269

15,692

28,319

30,156
Manufacturing / Wholesale15,344

14,964
12,118

15,889

27,462

30,853
Total reportable segment operating income81,494

72,918
75,589

77,184

157,083

150,102
Corporate costs(26,261) (26,479)(25,079) (28,300) (51,340) (54,779)
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures(19,514) 
(1,779) 
 (21,293) 
Other(237) (50)(13) 
 (250) (50)
Unallocated corporate costs, loss on net asset exchange and other(46,012)
(26,529)(26,871)
(28,300)
(72,883) (54,829)
Total operating income35,482

46,389
48,718

48,884

84,200

95,273
Interest expense, net32,956
 21,773
24,964
 32,943
 57,920
 54,716
Gain on purchase of convertible debt(3,214) 
 (3,214) 
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock
 
 16,787
 
Loss on debt refinancing
 16,740

 
 
 16,740
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock16,787
 
(Loss) income before income taxes$(14,261) $7,876
Income before income taxes$26,968
 $15,941
 $12,707
 $23,817


Refer to Note 3, "Revenue" for more information on the Company's reportable segments.

NOTE 13.  INCOME TAXES
The Company recognized $2.0$13.0 million of income tax expense during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $1.7$2.6 million in the prior year quarter. The Company recognized $15.0 million of income tax expense during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $4.3 million in the same period in 2018. The Company's income tax expense is based on income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company’s year-to-date tax provision is calculated by applying the most recent annualized effective tax rate to year-to-date pre-tax ordinary income. The Company’s most recent annualized effective tax rate was significantly impacted by a gain for tax purposes resulting from the newly formedtransfer of the Nutra manufacturing joint venturenet assets to the Manufacturing JV as well as the establishment of a partial valuation allowance for attributes generated in the current year that may not be realizable. The tax impactimpacts of unusual or infrequent items are recorded discretely in the interim period in which they occur. The Company discretely recorded the tax impact of the loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock.Convertible Preferred Stock. This loss was not deductible for income tax purposes.
At March 31,June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $6.6 million and $6.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, excluding interest and penalties, which if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company accrued $2.1 million at March 31,June 30, 2019 and $2.0 million at December 31, 2018, for potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to the ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions, amounts previously accrued will be reversed as a reduction to income tax expense.
GNC Holdings Inc. files a consolidated federal tax return and various consolidated and separate tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the state, local and international jurisdictions in which it and its subsidiaries operate. The statutes of limitation for the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns are closed for years through 2013. The Company has various state and local jurisdiction tax years open to examination (the earliest open period is generally 2011).


Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Item 1,1. “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following information presented for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 and 2018 was prepared by management, is unaudited, and was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our financial position and operating results for such periods and as of such dates have been included.

Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of terminology such as "subject to," "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "project," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "can," the negatives thereof, variations thereon and similar expressions, or by discussions of strategystrategy.
All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our examination of historical operating trends, are based upon our current expectations and include various assumptions. We believe there is a reasonable basis for our expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently uncertain and subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. A detailed discussion of risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our 2018 10-K.
In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment; therefore, new risk factors can arise, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor to assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any individual risk factor, or combination of risk factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Consequently, forward-looking statements should be regarded solely as our current plans, estimates and beliefs. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form10-QForm 10-Q are made as of the date of this filing. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update, republish or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events.
Business Overview
GNC is a global health and wellness brand with a diversified, omni-channel business. Our assortment of performance and nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbs and greens, health and beauty, food and drink and other general merchandise features innovative private-label products as well as nationally recognized third-party brands, many of which are exclusive to GNC.  We derive our revenues principally from company-owned retail locations, domestic and international franchise activities, e-commerce, and corporate partnerships. We have approximately 8,2008,000 locations in approximately 50 countries.
We believe the competitive strengths that position us as a leader in the specialty nutritional supplement space include our: well-recognized brand; stable base of long-term customers; geographically diverse store base; vertically integrated operationsoperations; and differentiated service model designed to enhance the customer experience.
Our Current Strategy
Key elements of our business strategy are detailed below:
Leading brand of nutritional supplements. GNC has been in business for more than 80 years and the Company is built on a core foundation as a brand builder of high-quality nutritional supplements. Based on our worldwide network of approximately 8,2008,000 locations and our online channels, we are a leading global brand of health, wellness and performance products.


Our objective is to offer a broad and deep mix of products for consumers interested in living well, whether they are looking to treat a health-related issue, maintain their overall wellness, or improve their performance. Our premium, value-added offerings include both proprietary GNC-branded products and other nationally recognized third-party brands.

We believe our depth of brands, exclusive products and range of merchandise, combined with the customer support and service we offer, differentiatesdifferentiate us and allowsallow us to effectively compete against food, drug and mass channel players, specialty stores, independent vitamin, supplement and natural food shops and online retailers.

Product development and innovation. We develop high-quality, innovative nutritional supplement products that can be purchased only through our store locations, GNC.com, our Amazon.com marketplace and our select wholesale partners. Our high quality ingredients are rigorously tested before going into GNC products, undergoing multiple quality checks to ensure that they meet our high standards for identity, strength, purity, composition and limits in contaminants.
We believe our sector-leading innovation capability is a significant competitive advantage. Our strategic partnership with International Vitamin Corporation ("IVC") will allow us to further focus on innovation while IVC drives increased efficiencies in manufacturing. Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements, "Note 6,Note 6. "Equity Method Investments" for more information. GNC has demonstrated strength in developing unique, branded, and scientifically verified products and has a long history of delivering new ingredients and reformulations. We directly employ scientists, nutritionists, formulators, chemists, engineers and quality control experts and have access to a wide range of world-class medical research facilities and consultants.

A differentiated retail customer experience. Our retail strategy is to deliver a compelling experience at every customer touch point. We operate in a highly personalized, aspirational sector and believe that the nutritional supplement consumer often desires and seeks out product expertise and knowledgeable customer service.
We further differentiate ourselves from competitors through development of our well-trained sales associates, who are aided in becoming trusted advisors with regular training that focuses on solution-based selling, and through in-store technology such as tablets, which allow associates to view customers’ purchase history and preferences.preferences in real time. With that knowledge, and help from sales tools built into the tablet platform, associates can engage customers in conversation, share product information and testimonials before and after pictures, recommend solutions and help customers add complimentary products and build wellness regimens.
Our loyalty programs allow us to develop and maintain a large and loyal customer base, provide targeted offers and information, and connect with our customers on a regular basis. We harness data generated by these programs to better understand customers’ buying behaviors and needs, so we can deliver a stronger experience, bring like-minded consumers into the channel and make well-informed decisions about the business.

Omni-channel development. We believe our diversified, omni-channel model, which includes company-owned stores, domestic and international franchise locations, wholesale locations and e-commerce can differentiatechannels, differentiates us from online-only competitors. Our strategy is to give consumers a seamless, integrated experience across digital, mobile and store channels and in every interaction they have with GNC.

Through GNC.com and our Amazon.com storefront, customers can research and purchase our products online. We believe our store base is a competitive advantage, allowing customers to experience our products and get expert advice from an associate.our associates.

Our omni-channel model can enhance the customer experience and increase the lifetime value of a GNC customer, and we are implementing strategies to blend our digital, online and in-store platforms. These initiatives include increased cross-channel marketing, online and in-store subscription services, giving customers the option of picking up online purchases in GNC stores, shipping products purchased via e-commerce directly from stores, and providing additional educational content, information and advice on GNC.com.


International growth. We see opportunity to expand internationally within the large global supplement market, which is expected to continue to grow. In particular, our partnership with Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co., LtdLtd. ("Harbin") allows us to further expand our business in China. Harbin’s expertise in distribution and regulation is the ideal match for our highly valued brand and assortment of products in the China market. Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements, "Note 6,Note 6. "Equity Method Investments" for more information.
Driving constructive industry dialogue. We remain focused on continuously raising the bar on transparency and quality throughout the dietary supplement industry. We believe that over time the implementation of higher standards and more stringent industry self-regulation regarding manufacturing practices, ingredient traceability and product transparency will prove beneficial for the industry and lead to improved dialogue with regulators, stronger consumer trust and greater confidence in our industry.
Key Performance Indicators
The primary key performance indicators that senior management focus on include revenue and operating income for each segment, which are discussed in detail within the section titled "Results of Operations", as well as same store sales growth.
The table below presents the key components of U.S Company-owned same store sales:
Three months ended March 31,2019 2018
2019 2018Q1 3/31 Q2 6/30 Q1 3/31 Q2 6/30
Contribution to same store sales          
Domestic Retail same store sales(1.9)%
(1.2)%(1.9)% (3.9)% (1.2)% (4.2)%
GNC.com contribution to same store sales0.3 %
1.7 %0.3 % (0.7)% 1.7 % 3.8 %
Total Same Store Sales(1.6)%
0.5 %(1.6)% (4.6)% 0.5 % (0.4)%
Same store sales include point-of-sale retail sales from all our company-owned domestic stores which have been operating for twelve full months following the opening day and retail sales from GNC.com. We are an omni-channel retailer with capabilities that allow a customer to use more than one channel when making a purchase, including in-store and e-commerce channels, which include our wholly-owned website GNC.com and third-party websites, including Amazon (the sales from which are included in the GNC.com business unit), where product assortment and price are controlled by us, in which purchases are fulfilled by direct shipment to the customer from one of our distribution facilities or from third-party e-commerce vendors. In-store sales are reduced by sales originally consummated online or through mobile devices and subsequently returned in-store. Sales of membership programs, including the PRO Access loyalty program and the net change in the deferred points liability associated with the myGNC Rewards program, are excluded from same store sales.
Same store sales are calculated on a daily basis for each store and exclude the net sales of a store for any period if the store was not open during the same period of the prior year. When a store’s square footage has been changed as a result of reconfiguration or relocation in the same mall or shopping center, the store continues to be treated as a same store. If, during the period presented, a store was closed, relocated to a different mall or shopping center, or converted to a franchise store or a company-owned store, sales from that store up to and including the closing day or the day immediately preceding the relocation or conversion are included as same store sales as long as the store was open during the same period of the prior year. Corporate stores are included in same store sales after the thirteenth month following a relocation or conversion to a company-owned store.
We also provide retail comparable same stores sales of our franchisees as well as our Canada business if meaningful to current results. While retail sales of franchisees are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the metric serves as a key performance indicator of our franchisees, which ultimately impacts wholesale sales and royalties and fees received from franchisees. We compute same store sales for our franchisees and Canada business consistent with the description of corporate same store sales above. Same store sales for international franchisees and Canada exclude the impact of foreign exchange rate changes relative to the U.S. dollar.
Non-GAAP Measures
We have included non-GAAP financial measures below, which have been adjusted to exclude the impact of certain transactions, because we believe such measures represent an effective supplemental means by which to measure our operating performance. We believe that (i) net (loss) income, (ii) diluted earnings per share, and (iii) EBITDA,

EBITDA, each on an as adjusted basis to exclude certain prior year items, are useful metrics to investors and enable management and our investors to evaluate and compare our results from operations in a more meaningful and consistent manner by excluding specific items that are not reflective of ongoing operating results. However, these metrics are not a measurement of our operating performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to earnings per share, net (loss) income, or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to GAAP cash flow from operating activities, or as a measure of our profitability or liquidity.
Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
Net (Loss) Income 
Diluted EPS (1)
 Net Income Diluted EPSNet Income Diluted EPS Net Income Diluted EPS Net Income 
Diluted EPS (1)
 Net Income Diluted EPS
(unaudited)(unaudited)
Reported$(15,262) $(0.23) $6,190
 $0.07
$16,058
 $0.11
 $13,341
 $0.16
 $796
 $(0.09) $19,531
 $0.23
Loss on net asset exchange for equity method investments1,779
 0.01
 
 
 21,293
 0.16
 
 
Gain on convertible notes repurchase(3,214) (0.02) 
 
 (3,214) (0.02) 
 
Amortization of discount in connection with early debt payment
 
 
 
 3,119
 0.02
 
 
Loss on forward contract related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock
 
 
 
 16,787
 0.13
 
 
Loss on debt refinancing
 
 16,740
 0.20



 
 
 
 
 16,740
 0.20
Amortization of discount in connection with early debt payment3,119
 0.02
 
 
Loss on net asset exchange for equity method investments19,514
 0.15
 
 
Loss on forward contract related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock16,787
 0.13
 
 
Other (2)
713
 0.01
 808
 0.01
464
 
 2,655
 0.01
 1,177
 0.01
 3,463
 0.04
Tax effect of items above (3)
(5,837) (0.05) (3,654) (0.04)3,219
 0.02
 943
 0.01
 (2,617) (0.02) (2,711) (0.03)
Adjusted$19,034
 $0.15
 $20,084
 $0.24
$18,306
 $0.13
 $16,939
 $0.20
 $37,341
 $0.28
 $37,023
 $0.44
                      
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding126,628
   83,368
  140,942
   83,409
   133,787
   83,389
  



Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
(unaudited)(unaudited)
Net (loss) income$(15,262) $6,190
$16,058
 $13,341
 $796
 $19,531
Income tax expense1,956
 1,686
13,030
 2,600
 14,986
 4,286
Interest expense, net32,956
 21,773
24,964
 32,943
 57,920
 54,716
Equity income from equity method investments(955) 
Loss on debt refinancing
 16,740

 
 
 16,740
Depreciation and amortization10,190
 12,105
8,514
 12,001
 18,704
 24,106
Loss on net asset exchange for equity method investments19,514
 
1,779
 
 21,293
 
Gain on convertible notes repurchase(3,214) 
 (3,214) 
Loss on forward contracts related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock16,787
 

 
 16,787
 
Other (2)
713
 808
464
 2,655
 1,177
 3,463
Adjusted EBITDA$65,899
 $59,302
$61,595
 $63,540

$128,449

$122,842

(1) The Company applies the if-converted method to calculate the dilution impact of the convertible senior notes and the convertible preferred stock. For the reported diluted EPS, calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2019, the underlying shares of the convertible preferred stock and the convertible senior notes are anti-dilutive. Therefore, diluted EPS includes the reduction to net income for the cumulative undeclared dividends of $8.7 million. For the adjusted diluted EPS, calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2019, the underlying shares of the convertible preferred stock are dilutive and the convertible senior notes are anti-dilutive. Additionally, the reported diluted EPS calculation for the first quarter of 2019 includes the cumulative undeclared dividends of approximately $3.7 million within reported net income. As a result amountsof the differences in the 2019 Dilutedcalculation for diluted EPS columnand adjusted diluted EPS, amounts do not sum.


(2) The three and six months ended June 30, 2019 includes $0.7retention of $0.8 million retention and an$1.6 million, respectively and immaterial refranchising gain.gains. The three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included $0.8includes retention of $2.2 million retention.and $3.0 million, respectively, $0.6 million in joint venture start-up costs incurred in connection with the Harbin transaction and immaterial refranchising gains. The retention expense recognized in 2019 and 2018 relates to an incentive program to retain senior executives and certain other key personnel below the executive level who are critical to the execution and success of the Company's strategy. The total amount awarded was approximately $10 million, of which approximately $1 million washas been forfeited, which vests in four installments of 25% each over two years. Vesting dates are on November 2018, February 2019, August 2019 and February 2020.

(3) For the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2019, the Company utilizedgenerally utilizes a blended federal rate plus a net state rate that excludingexcludes the impact of certain state NOL's, state credits and valuation allowance. Additionally,allowance to calculate the impact of adjusted items. In connection with the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing net assets to the Manufacturing JV, the Company recorded a gain for tax purposes which was treated as ordinary and impacts the Company’s annual effective tax rate. Therefore, for adjusted diluted EPS, the tax effect for the impact of the loss on forward contractsnet asset exchange for equity method investments related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock had nomanufacturing joint venture transaction was adjusted consistent with the annual treatment for tax impact. Thepurposes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company utilized an annual effective tax rate, in 2018, adjusted to exclude discrete items and the tax impact of loss on debt financing.











GNC HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow
(in thousands)
 Six months ended June 30,
 2019 2018
 (unaudited)
    
Net cash provided by operating activities$65,323
 $49,142
Capital expenditures(6,460) (8,333)
       Free cash flow$58,863
 $40,809
    


Results of Operations
(Calculated as a percentage of consolidated revenue unless indicated otherwise)
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018 2019 2018
Revenues:          
U.S. and Canada86.6 % 84.3 %89.1 % 83.7 % 87.8 % 84.0 %
International7.3 % 6.6 %7.4 % 7.9 % 7.3 % 7.2 %
Manufacturing / Wholesale:          
Intersegment revenues6.3 % 10.6 % % 10.6 % 3.2 % 10.6 %
Third party6.1 % 9.1 %3.5 % 8.4 % 4.9 % 8.8 %
Subtotal Manufacturing / Wholesale12.4 % 19.7 %3.5 % 19.0 % 8.1 % 19.4 %
Elimination of intersegment revenue(6.3)% (10.6)% % (10.6)% (3.2)% (10.6)%
Total net revenues100.0 % 100.0 %100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Operating expenses:          
Cost of sales, including warehousing, distribution and occupancy64.0 % 65.9 %63.7 % 66.4 % 63.9 % 66.2 %
Gross profit36.0 % 34.1 %36.3 % 33.6 % 36.1 % 33.8 %
Selling, general and administrative26.3 % 26.5 %26.9 % 25.7 % 26.6 % 26.1 %
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures3.5 %  %0.4 %  % 1.9 %  %
Other income, net %  %(0.1)% 0.1 % (0.1)%  %
Total operating expenses93.8 % 92.4 %90.8 % 92.2 % 92.3 % 92.3 %
Operating income:          
U.S. and Canada (*)
10.7 % 8.5 %10.3 % 8.8 % 10.5 % 8.7 %
International (*)
34.3 % 36.1 %36.5 % 32.3 % 35.2 % 34.0 %
Manufacturing / Wholesale (*)
21.9 % 12.5 %65.5 % 13.6 % 31.0 % 13.0 %
Unallocated corporate costs and other          
Corporate costs(4.6)% (4.4)%(4.7)% (4.6)% (4.7)% (4.5)%
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures(3.5)%  %(0.3)%  % (1.9)%  %
Other %  % %  %  %  %
Subtotal unallocated corporate, loss on net asset exchange and other costs(8.1)% (4.4)%(5.0)% (4.6)% (6.6)% (4.5)%
Total operating income6.3 % 7.7 %9.1 % 7.9 % 7.7 % 7.8 %
Interest expense, net5.8 % 3.6 %4.7 % 5.3 % 5.3 % 4.5 %
Gain on purchase of convertible debt(0.6)%  % (0.3)%  %
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock %  % 1.5 %  %
Loss on debt refinancing % 2.8 % %  %  % 1.4 %
Loss on forward contracts for the issuance of convertible preferred stock3.0 %  %
(Loss) income before income taxes(2.5)% 1.3 %
Income before income taxes5.0 % 2.6 % 1.2 % 1.9 %
Income tax expense0.3 % 0.3 %2.4 % 0.4 % 1.4 % 0.3 %
Net (loss) income before equity income from equity method investments(2.8)% 1.0 %
Equity income from equity method investments0.2 %  %
Net (loss) income(2.6)% 1.0 %
Net income before income from equity method investments2.6 % 2.2 % (0.2)% 1.6 %
Income from equity method investments0.4 %  % 0.3 %  %
Net income3.0 % 2.2 % 0.1 % 1.6 %

(*) Calculated as a percentage of segment revenue.

The following table summarizes the number of our locations for the periods indicated:
Three months ended March 31,Six months ended June 30,
2019 20182019 2018
U.S. & Canada      
Company-owned(a):
 
  
 
  
Beginning of period balance3,206
 3,423
3,206
 3,423
Openings5
 5
13
 11
Acquired franchise locations(b)
6
 6
14
 12
Franchise conversions(c)
(1) 
(4) (3)
Closings(87) (49)(159) (115)
End of period balance3,129
 3,385
3,070
 3,328
Domestic Franchise:      
Beginning of period balance1,037
 1,099
1,037
 1,099
Openings3
 5
3
 9
Acquired franchise locations(b)
(6) (6)(11) (12)
Franchise conversions(c)
1
 
4
 3
Closings(17) (15)(33) (27)
End of period balance1,018
 1,083
1,000
 1,072
International(d):
      
Beginning of period balance1,957
 2,015
1,957
 2,015
Openings24
 16
50
 36
Closings(24) (22)(53) (43)
China locations contributed to the partnership with Harbin(5) 
China locations contributed to the China joint venture(5) 
End of period balance1,952
 2,009
1,949
 2,008
Store-within-a-store (Rite Aid): 
  
 
  
Beginning of period balance2,183
 2,418
2,183
 2,418
Openings11
 16
19
 21
Closings(85) (6)(201) (78)
End of period balance2,109
 2,428
2,001
 2,361
Total Locations8,208
 8,905
8,020
 8,769

(a) Includes Canada.
(b) Stores that were acquired from franchisees and subsequently converted into company-owned stores.store locations.
(c) Company-owned store locations sold to franchisees.
(d) Includes franchise locations in approximately 50 countries (including distribution centers where sales are made and store-within-a-store) and company-owned stores locatedlocations in Ireland. Prior year also includes company-owned locations in China.
.








Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31,June 30, 2019 (current quarter) and 2018 (prior year quarter)
Revenues 
Our consolidated net revenues decreased $42.7$83.9 million, or 7.0%13.6%, to $564.8$534.0 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $607.5$617.9 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in revenue was primarily a result of the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing and China e-commerce businesses to the newly formed joint ventures, negative same store sales and the closure of company-owned stores fromunder our store portfolio optimization strategy.
U.S. and Canada. Revenues in our U.S. and Canada segment decreased $23.2$41.2 million, or 4.5%8.0%, to $489.2$476.1 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $512.4$517.3 million in the prior year quarter. The $23.2$41.2 million decrease in revenue in the current quarter as compared with the prior year quarter was primarily due to the following:
The decrease in the number of corporate stores from 3,385 at March 31, 2018 to 3,129 at March 31, 2019 from our store portfolio optimization strategy contributed an approximate $14 million decrease to revenue;
A decrease in U.S. company-owned same store sales of 1.6%4.6%, which includes GNC.com sales, which resulted in a $6.2$17.5 million decrease to revenue. GNC.com contributed an increasea decrease of 0.3%0.7% to the same store sales. E-commerce sales were 7.4%comprised 8.1% of U.S. and Canada revenue in the current quarter compared with 7.1%8.3% in the prior year quarter;
The decrease in the number of corporate stores from 3,328 at June 30, 2018 to 3,070 at June 30, 2019 from our store portfolio optimization strategy contributed a $14.9 million decrease to revenue;
A decrease in domestic franchise revenue of $3.9 million due to a decrease in same store sales of -1.8% and decrease in number of franchise stores from 1,072 at June 30, 2018 to 1,000 at June 30, 2019; and
A decrease in Canada company-owned storesstore revenue of $2.8$3.3 million primarily due to a decrease in same store sales of 4.1%4.9%.
International. Revenues in our International segment increased $0.8decreased $9.2 million, or 2.1%18.9%, to $40.9$39.4 million in the current quarter compared with $40.1$48.6 million in the prior year quarter.quarter mostly due to the transfer of the China business to the newly formed joint ventures effective February 13, 2019 (the "HK JV" and "China JV"). Revenue from our international franchisees increased $4.6$0.7 million in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to strong performance from franchisees in Singapore and South Korea. Revenue from our China business decreased by $3.4 million to $4.5 million in the current quarter compared with the prior year mostly due to the transfer of the cross-border e-commerce China business to the newly formed joint venture effective February 13, 2019.quarter.
Manufacturing / Wholesale. Revenues in our Manufacturing / Wholesale segment, excluding intersegment sales, decreased $20.4$33.5 million, or 37.0%64.4%, to $34.7$18.5 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $55.1 million in the prior year. Third-party contract manufacturing sales decreased $16.9 million, or 51.8%, to $15.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with $32.7$52.0 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to the transaction with IVC fortransfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the newly formed manufacturing joint venture (the "Manufacturing JV") with International Vitamin Corporation ("IVC"), effective March 1, 2019. Sales to our wholesale partners decreased $3.4$2.9 million, or 15.4%13.6%, from $22.3$21.4 million in the prior year quarter to $18.9$18.5 million in the current quarter primarily due to the termination of the consignment agreement with Rite Aid in the fourth quarter of 2018. Additionally,There were no intersegment sales decreased $29.2 million from $64.7in the current quarter compared to $65.2 million in the prior year quarter to $35.5 million in the current quarter due to the transaction with IVC for the newly formed manufacturing joint venture effective March 1, 2019.quarter.
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
Cost of sales, which includes product costs, warehousing, distribution and occupancy costs decreased $39.0$69.9 million to $361.7$340.3 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $400.7$410.2 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit decreased $3.8$14.0 million from $206.9$207.7 million in the prior year quarter to $203.1$193.7 million in the current quarter, but increased as a percentage of revenue from 34.1% for33.6% in the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2018 to 36.0%36.3% in the current quarter. The increase in gross profit rate was due to a higher mix of proprietary sales which contribute higher margins relative to third-party sales and lower occupancy expense as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard, savings from store closures associated with the store optimization program and rent reductions.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expense
SG&A expense, including compensation and related benefits, advertising and other expenses, decreased $12.4$14.7 million, or 7.7%9.3%, from $160.7$158.5 million in the prior year quarter to $148.3$143.8 million in the current quarter. SG&A expense, as a percentage of revenue, was 26.3%26.9% and 26.5%25.7% for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

During the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $0.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to a retention program adopted in the first quarter of 2018 to retain senior executives and certain other key personnel who are critical to the execution and success of our strategy. The decreasetotal amount awarded was approximately $10 million, which vests in four installments of 25% each over two years through February 2020. We also incurred $0.6 million related to China joint venture start up costs in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of these items, SG&A expense decreased $12.8 million in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter and, as a percentage of revenue, was 26.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with 25.2% for the same period in 2018. The increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by deleverage in salaries and benefits associated with a decrease in U.S. company-owned same store sales, partially offset by more normalized marketing expense and partially offset by higher salaries and benefits as a percent of revenue.expense.
Other Income (Loss), net
Other income, net, of $0.2$0.6 million in the current quarter included gains on refranchising and foreign currency gains. Other loss, net in the prior year quarter includedof $0.3 million was primarily related to a loss on foreign currency gains.

currency.
Operating Income
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $10.9$0.2 million, or 23.5%0.3%, to $35.5$48.7 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $46.4$48.9 million in the prior year quarter, and as a percentage of revenue, was 6.3%9.1% and 7.7%7.9% for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 and 2018. The decrease was due to a $19.5 million loss on the exchange of net assets for the newly formed joint ventures recognized in the first quarter of 2019.2018, respectively.
U.S. and Canada. Operating income increased $8.6$3.6 million to $52.1$49.2 million for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $43.5$45.6 million for the same period in 2018. Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 10.7%10.3% in the current quarter compared with 8.5%8.8% in the prior year quarter. The increase in operating income was primarily due to lower occupancy, salaries and benefits, marketing, and distribution and transportation costs as compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in operating income percentage was driven by lower occupancy expense partially offset by expense deleverage in salaries and benefits associated with a decrease in company-owned same store sales.
International.Operating income decreased $1.4 million, or 9.1%, to $14.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $15.7 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was 36.2% of segment revenue in the current quarter compared with 32.3% in the prior year quarter. The increase in operating income percentage was primarily a result of the transfer of the China business to the HK JV and China JV.
Manufacturing / Wholesale. Operating income decreased $3.8 million, or 23.7%, to $12.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $15.9 million in the prior year quarter.  Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue increased from 13.6% in the prior year quarter to 65.5% in the current quarter. Revenue decreased as a result of the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the Manufacturing JV as described above. However, operating income margins were positively impacted as the Manufacturing / Wholesale segment recognized profit margin that resulted from maintaining consistent pricing to what was charged to our other operating segments prior to the inception of the Manufacturing JV, and recorded profit on intersegment sales associated with inventory produced prior to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the Manufacturing JV.
Corporate costs. Corporate costs decreased $3.2 million to $25.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $28.3 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the retention expense as explained above, corporate costs decreased $1.2 million in the current quarter compared with the prior year quarter primarily due to lower salaries and benefits.
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures. We recognized a $1.8 million loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures for the three months ended June 30, 2019 related to a working capital purchase price adjustment in connection with the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the Manufacturing JV.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense was $25.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $32.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 primarily a result the reduction in long-term debt of approximately $298 million during the first half of 2019.
Gain on Convertible Debt Repurchase
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company repurchased $29.5 million in aggregate principle amount of the Notes for $24.7 million in cash. The convertible debt repurchase resulted in a gain of $3.2 million, which included the

unamortized conversion feature of $1.3 million and unamortized discount of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 5. "Long-Term Debt / Interest Expense" for more information.
Income Tax Expense
We recognized $13.0 million of income tax expense during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $2.6 million for the same period in 2018. The Company’s annualized effective tax rate for the current quarter was impacted by a gain for tax purposes resulting from the newly formed manufacturing joint venture as well as the establishment of a partial valuation allowance for attributes generated in the current year that may not be realizable.
Income from Equity Method Investments
We recognized $2.1 million of income from equity method investments during the three months ended June 30, 2019 in connection with the Manufacturing JV and HK JV. Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements,"Note 6, "Equity Method Investments" for more information.
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income increased $2.8 million to $16.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with net income of $13.3 million for the same period in 2018. Excluding certain expenses as reconciled in the table above, under the caption "Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS", adjusted net income of $18.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 increased $1.4 million compared with adjusted net income of $16.9 million for the same period in 2018.
Diluted Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was $0.11 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $0.16 for the same period in 2018. Excluding certain expenses as reconciled in the table above, under the caption "Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS", adjusted diluted EPS was $0.13 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $0.20 for the same period in 2018. Diluted EPS and adjusted diluted EPS in the current quarter reflects the impact of convertible preferred stock on an if-converted basis.
Comparison of the Six Months EndedJune 30, 2019 (current year period) and 2018 (prior year period)
Revenues
Our consolidated net revenues decreased $126.7 million, or 10.3%, to $1,098.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $1,225.5 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing and China e-commerce businesses to the newly formed joint ventures, which resulted in an approximate $61 million decrease in revenue, the closure of company-owned stores under our store portfolio optimization strategy, which resulted in an approximate $29 million decrease in revenue, and negative same store sales of 3.1%.
U.S. and Canada. Revenues in our U.S. and Canada segment decreased $64.5 million, or 6.3%, to $965.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $1,029.7 million in the prior year period. The $64.5 million decrease was primarily due to the following:
The decrease in the number of corporate stores from 3,328 at June 30, 2018 to 3,070 at June 30, 2019 from our store portfolio optimization strategy contributed an approximate $29.2 million decrease to revenue;
A decrease in U.S. company-owned same store sales of 3.1%, which includes GNC.com sales, resulted in a $23.7 million decrease to revenue. GNC.com contributed a decrease of 0.2% to the same store sales. E-commerce sales as a percentage of U.S. and Canada revenue remained flat at 7.7% in the current period compared the prior year period;
A decrease in Canada company-owned stores revenue of $6.1 million primarily due to a decrease in same store sales of 4.5%; and
A decrease in domestic franchise revenue of $4.2 million due to a decrease in same store sales of 0.6% and decrease in number of franchise stores from 1,072 at June 30, 2018 to 1,000 at June 30, 2019.
International. Revenues in our International segment decreased $8.3 million, or 9.4%, to $80.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $88.7 million in the prior year period mostly due to the transfer of the

China business effective February 13, 2019 to the HK JV and China JV. The decline was partially offset by revenue from our international franchisees which increased $5.3 million in the current year period compared to the prior year period primarily due to strong performance from franchisees in Singapore, the Middle East and South Africa.
Manufacturing / Wholesale.Revenues in our Manufacturing / Wholesale segment, excluding intersegment sales, decreased $53.8 million, or 50.3%, to $53.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $107.0 million in the prior year period primarily due to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business for the Manufacturing JV with IVC effective in March 2019. As a result, third-party contract manufacturing sales decreased $47.5 million to $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $63.3 million in the prior year period. Sales to our wholesale partners decreased $6.4 million, or 14.5%, from $43.7 million in the prior year period to $37.4 million in the current year period primarily due to the termination of the consignment agreement with Rite Aid in the fourth quarter of 2018. Intersegment sales decreased $94.4 million from $129.9 million in the prior year period to $35.5 million in the current quarter period.
Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
Cost of sales decreased $109.0 million to $701.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $810.9 million in the prior year period. Gross profit decreased $17.8 million from $414.6 million in the prior year period to $396.8 million in the current year period, but increased as a percentage of revenue from 33.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to 36.1% in the current year period. The increase in gross profit rate was due to a higher mix of proprietary sales which contribute higher margins relative to third-party sales, and lower occupancy expense as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard, savings from store closures associated with the store optimization program and rent reductions.
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expense
SG&A expense, including compensation and related benefits, advertising and other expenses, decreased $27.2 million, or 8.5%, from $319.3 million in the prior year period to $292.1 million in the current year period. SG&A expense, as a percentage of revenue, was 26.6% and 26.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $1.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, related to the aforementioned retention program. We also incurred $0.6 million related to China joint venture start up costs in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of these items, SG&A expense decreased $25.1 million in the current year period compared to the prior year period and, as a percentage of revenue, was 26.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with 25.8% for the same period in 2018. The increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by deleverage in salaries and benefits associated with a decrease in U.S. company-owned same store sales, partially offset by more normalized marketing expense.
Other Income (Loss), net
Other income, net, of $0.8 million in the current year period included gains on refranchising and foreign currency gains. Other loss, net, of $0.1 million in the prior year period included foreign currency losses partially offset by a refranchising gain.
Operating Income
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated operating income decreased $11.1 million, or 11.6%, to $84.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $95.3 million in the prior year period, and as a percentage of revenue, was 7.7% and 7.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Operating income in the current year period was significantly impacted by the $21.3 million loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures recognized in the first half of 2019.
U.S. and Canada.Operating income increased $12.2 million to $101.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $89.1 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in operating income was primarily due to lower occupancy, salaries and benefits, marketing, and distribution and transportation costs as compared to the same period in 2018. Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was 10.5% in the current year period compared with 8.7% in the prior year period. The increase in operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was primarily due to lower occupancy and marketing costs,expense partially offset by a decreaseexpense deleverage in product margin rate.salaries and benefits.
International. Operating income decreased $0.4$1.9 million, or 2.9%6.1%, to $14.1$28.3 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $14.5$30.2 million in the prior year quarter.period. Operating income was 34.3%35.2% of segment revenue

in the current quarteryear period compared with 36.1%34.0% in the prior year quarter.period. The decreaseincrease in operating income as a percentage of segment revenue was primarily duea result of the transfer of the China business to lower margin rate driven by a change in revenue mix.the HK JV and China JV.
Manufacturing / Wholesale. Operating income increased $0.3decreased $3.4 million, or 2.5%11.0%, to $15.3$27.5 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $15.0$30.9 million in the prior year quarter.period.  Operating income as a percentage of segment revenue increased from12.5%from 13.0% in the prior year quarterperiod to 21.9%31.0% in the current quarter primarily due to a decrease in revenuesyear period. Revenue decreased as a result of the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the Manufacturing JV. Although revenue decreased, theJV as described above. However, operating income reductionmargins were positively impacted as the Manufacturing / Wholesale segment recognized profit margin that resulted from maintaining consistent pricing to what was minimal as GNC continuescharged to recognize margin on product sold in March, but purchasedour other operating segments prior to the formationinception of the Manufacturing JV, and recorded profit on intersegment sales associated with inventory produced prior to the transfer of the Nutra manufacturing business to the joint venture. The remaining increase in operating income is the result of an increase in GNC brand sales.
Corporate costs. Corporate costs decreased $0.2$3.5 million to $26.3$51.3 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $26.5$54.8 million in the prior year quarter.period. Excluding the retention expense as explained above, corporate costs decreased $1.1 million to $50.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with $51.2 million for the prior year period.
Loss on net asset exchange for the formation of the joint ventures. We contributed our China business in exchange for 35% equity interest in each of the new HK JV and China JV. In addition, we contributed our Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facility net assets to the Manufacturing JV in exchange for $101 million and an initial 43% equity interest in the Manufacturing JV during the three months ended March 31, 2019. As a result of the joint venture transactions, we recognized a pre-tax loss in the first six months of $19.52019 of $21.3 million.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense was $33.0$57.9 million in the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $21.8$54.7 million in the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, primarily due to higher interest rate in the current quarterrates on the Tranche B-2 and the FILO Term Loan in connection with the debt refinancing and the amortization of original issuance discount in connection with the early payment on Tranche B-2 Term Loan.
Loss on Debt Refinancing
In connection with the refinancing of the Senior Credit Facility in the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recorded a loss of $16.7 million, which primarily includes third-party fees relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loan, partially offset by reduction in long-term debt of approximately $298 million during the first half of 2019.
Gain on Convertible Debt Repurchase
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company repurchased $29.5 million in aggregate principle amount of the Notes for $24.7 million in cash. The convertible debt repurchase resulted in a gain of $3.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019, which included the unamortized conversion feature of $1.3 million and the FILO Term Loan.unamortized discount of $0.2 million. Refer to Note 5. "Long-term Debt / Interest Expense" for more information.
Loss on Forward Contracts for the Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock
A loss of $16.8 million was recorded in the threesix months ended March 31, 2018June 30, 2019 for the change in fair value of the forward contracts related to the issuance of the convertible preferred stock. Refer to Note 10,10. "Mezzanine Equity" for more information.
Loss on Debt Refinancing
In connection with the refinancing of the Senior Credit Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded a loss of $16.7 million, which primarily included third-party fees relating to the Tranche B-2 Term Loan and the FILO Term Loan.
Income Tax Expense
We recognized $2.0$15.0 million of income tax expense during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with $1.7$4.3 million for the same period in 2018.

The Company’s annualized effective tax rate for the current period was impacted by a gain for tax purposes resulting from the newly formed Manufacturing JV as well as the establishment of a partial valuation allowance for attributes generated in the current year period that may not be realizable.
Income from Equity Method Investments
InWe recognized $3.1 million income from equity method investments during the six months ended June 30, 2019 in connection with the formation of the HK JV and Manufacturing JVnewly formed joint ventures effective in the first quarter of 2019, we recognize 35% and 43% of the joint ventures' net income, respectively. We recognized $0.9 million equity income from the manufacturing joint venture and an immaterial equity income from the HK JV during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Refer to Note 6, "Equity Method Investments" for more information.

Net (Loss) Income
As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net income decreased $21.5$18.7 million to a net loss of $15.3$0.8 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with net income of $6.2$19.5 million for the same period in 2018.Excluding certain expenses as reconciled in the table above, under the caption "Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted EPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS", adjusted net income of $37.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2019 increased $0.3 million compared with adjusted net income of $37.0 million for the same period in 2018.
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share
For the first six months of 2019, diluted EPS was a loss of $0.09, which included the reduction to net nicome for the cumulative undeclared dividends of $8.7 million, compared with diluted EPS of $0.23 for the same period in 2018. Excluding certain expenses as reconciled in the table above, under the caption "Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted lossEPS to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS", adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.23$0.28 for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with diluted earnings per share of $0.07$0.44 for the same period in 2018. Adjusted Diluted EPS in the current year period reflects the impact of convertible preferred stock on an if-converted basis
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31,June 30, 2019, we had $74.2$74.6 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility, after giving effect to $6.2 million utilized to secure letters of credit and $0.6$0.2 million reduction to borrowing ability as a result of a decrease in net collateralcollateral.  Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal on, to pay interest on or to refinance our debt and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend on our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial and other factors beyond our control. We expect to make an excess cash flow payment between $25 million and $35 million at 50% with respect to the year ending December 31, 2019, which is expected to be paid in the second quarter of 2020.
We currently anticipate that cash generated from operations, together with amounts available under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to service our debt (including the expected excess cash flow payment), meet our operating expenses and fund capital expenditures over the next 12 months. IfWhile our plan is to refinance the majority of our capital structure, we make no assurances regarding the likelihood, certainty or timing of this refinancing. In the event that all outstanding amounts under the convertible senior notes ("Notes")Notes in excess of $50.0 million haveare not been repaid, refinanced, converted or effectively discharged prior to May 2020 ("the Springing Maturity Date"),Date, the maturity date of the Tranche B-2 becomes the Springing Maturity Date, subject to certain adjustments. In the event that athe aforementioned refinancing does not occur before the Springing Maturity Date or the August 2020 maturity date, management believes that the Company will have the ability to repay $138.6 million of the Notes of $159.1 million with projected cash on hand and the Revolving Credit Facility. We are currently in compliance with our debt covenant reporting and compliance obligations under our Credit Facilities and expect to remain in compliance during 2019.over the next twelve months.
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities increased by $43.6$16.2 million from $25.1$49.1 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018 to $68.7$65.3 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 due to favorable working capital changes primarily due to an increase in accounts payable as a result of the Company's cash management efforts and the increase in accounts payable related toas well as the establishment of the Manufacturing JV.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash provided by investing activities was $85.6$83.0 million for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 compared with cash used in investing activities of $3.4$7.3 million for the same period in 2018 primarily due to the $101 million cash proceeds received from IVC in exchange for their 57% ownership in the Manufacturing JV. In addition, we made a capital contribution of $10.7 million to the Manufacturing JV for our share of short-term working capital needs and contributed $2.4 million cash from our China business to the HK JV and China joint ventures.JV. Capital expenditures for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019 was $3.0$6.5 million compared with $3.7$8.3 million for the same period in 2018.
We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $20 to $30 million in 2019, which includes investments for store development, IT infrastructure and maintenance. We anticipate funding our 2019 capital requirements with cash flows from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Cash Used in Financing Activities
For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2019, cash used in financing activities was $84.4$119.3 million, primarily consisting of $147$157.1 million in payments on the Tranche B-1 Term Loan, $114$114.0 million in payments on the Tranche B-2 Term Loan, $24.7 million payments for the repurchase of Notes, $12.8 million in fees paid for the issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock and a $10.4 million original issuance discount (“OID”) paid to the Tranche B-2 Term Loan lender at 2% of the outstanding balance, and $12.6 million in fees paid for the issuance of convertible preferred stock, partially offset by approximately $200 million of proceeds from the issuance of convertible preferred stock.the Convertible Preferred Stock.
For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2018, cash used in financing activities was $32.0$62.2 million, primarily consisting of $35.2 million in an OID paid to lenders and fees associated with our new Revolving Credit Facility associated with the debt refinancing andrefinancing. In addition, we made $11.8$23.7 million in amortization payments on our term loan balances, partially offset by net borrowings underbalances. The OID on the Revolving Credit FacilityTranche B-2 Term Loan included $13.2 million which was included in Item 1, "Financial Statements," as a non-cash financing activity within the "Supplemental Cash Flow Information" of $17.5 million.the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations as disclosed in the 2018 10-K.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and elected the optional transition relief amendment that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and did not restate prior periods. We revised our accounting policy on leases in conjunction with the adoption of the new lease standard. Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements,"Note 2,2. "Basis of Presentation" for more information.
In February 2019, we contributed our China business in exchange for 35% ownership of each of the newly formed joint ventures (the “HK JV”HK JV and the "China JV").China JV. In March 2019, we received $101 million from IVC and contributed the net assets of the Nutra manufacturing and Anderson facilities in exchange for an initial 43% equity interest in athe newly formed joint venture (the “Manufacturing JV”).Manufacturing JV. Our interest in the joint ventures are accounted for as equity method investments. Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements,"Note 6,6. "Equity Method Investments" for more information. The equity method is applied in situations where we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the management decisions of the joint ventures. We evaluate the equity investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an investment is not recoverable. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining whether an indicator of impairment has occurred. Factors that may trigger an impairment review include significant, sustained declines in an investee's revenue, earnings, and cash flow trends; adverse market conditions; the investee's ability to continue operations measures by several items, including liquidity; and other factors. Once an impairment indicator is identified, we use considerable judgment to determine if the impairment is other than temporary, in which case the equity investment is written down to its estimated fair value. An impairment that is other than temporary could significantly and adversely impact reported results of operations.
Except as discussed above, there have been no material changes to the application of critical accounting policies and significant judgments and estimates as disclosed in our 2018 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Item 1, "Financial Statements," Note 2,2. "Basis of Presentation," which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no significant changes to our market risk since December 31, 2018. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of our 2018 10-K.
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act has been appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and are effective in ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of March 31,June 30, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we implemented a new lease management and accounting system and updated our processes and internal controls in conjunction with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, ASU 2016-02, Leases, effective January 1, 2019. We have also updated our processes and internal controls in connection with the formation of the newly formed joint ventures during the three months ended March 31, 2019. These implementations resulted in a material change in a component of our internal control over financial reporting and were not made in response to a deficiency in internal controls.
Except as discussed above, thereThere are no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ending March 31,June 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings    
We are engaged in various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the normal course of business, some of which are covered by insurance for which we have rights of indemnification. These actions, claims and proceedings are of the sort that are commonly encountered in the nutritional supplement retail industry, including claims related to breach of contracts, products liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment-related matters resulting from our business activities. Although the impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
DMAA/Aegeline Claims.   As disclosed in prior Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q, prior to December 2013, we sold products manufactured by third parties that contained derivatives from geranium known as 1.3-dimethylpentylamine/ dimethylamylamine/ 13-dimethylamylamine, or "DMAA," which were recalled from our stores in November 2013, and/or Aegeline, a compound extracted from bael trees. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, individuals (on their own behalf or on behalf of minors or estates have filed 27 personal injury lawsuits involving products containing DMAA and/or Aegeline, where we (or one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries) along with the third-party vendor, have been named as parties:
Case No. 140502403, filed May 20, 2014 in Common Pleas Court of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Case No. 15-1-0847-05, filed May 1, 2015, in the first Circuit Court, State of Hawaii
Cases filed in the District Court for the District of Hawaii as follows:

- Case No. 3-00639 DMK, filed November 21, 2013- Case No. CV 14-00029, filed January 23, 2014
- Case No. CV 14-00030, filed January 23, 2013- Case No. CV 14-00031, filed January 23, 2014
- Case No. CV 14-00032, filed January 23, 2014- Case No. CV14-00029, filed January 23, 2014
- Case No. 14-cv-00364 filed October 24, 2014- Case No. CV14-00365 filed October 24, 2014
- Case No. CV14-00366 filed August 15, 2014- Case No. 14-cv-00367 filed October 24, 2014
- Case No. CV-15-00228, filed June 17, 2016 
Cases filed in the Superior Court of California as follows:
Orange County:
- Case No. 2014-00740258 filed August 18, 2014- Case No. 30-2015-00776749, filed March 12, 2015
- Case No. 30-2015-00783256-CU-PL-CXC, filed April 16, 2015

San Diego County:
- Case No. 37-2015-00008404, filed March 13, 2015- Case No. 37-2014-110924, filed September 8, 2014
- Case No. 37-2013-00074052-CU-PL-CTL, filed November 1, 2013
Los Angeles County:
- Case No. BC559542, filed October 6, 2014- Case No. BC575264, filed March 13, 2015
- Case No. BC575262, filed March 13, 2015- Case No. BC534065, filed January 23, 2014
Monterey County:
- Case No. M131321, filed March 13, 2015- Case No. M131322, filed March 13, 2015
Santa Clara County:
- Case No. 115CV78045, filed March 13, 2015- Case No. CV-14-0037, filed January 24, 2014
The majority of these matters are currently stayed pending final resolution. OneIn one matter, the plaintiff has filed a motion seeking to lift the stay, among other things. This motion is scheduled for trialto be heard by the court in JuneJuly 2019.
We are contractually entitled to indemnification by our third-party vendor with regard to these matters, although our ability to obtain full recovery in respect of any such claims against us is dependent upon the creditworthiness of our vendor and/or its insurance coverage and the absence of any significant defenses available to its insurer.
Other Legal Proceedings.    For additional information regarding certain legal proceedings to which we are a party, see Item 1 "Financial Statements" Note 9, "Contingencies."
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the disclosures relating to this item from those set forth under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2018 10-K.
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information regarding Holdings’ purchases of shares of common stock during the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2019:

Period (1)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (3)
 
Dollar Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs
        
January 1 to January 31, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
February 1 to February 28, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
March 1 to March 31, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
Total
 $
 
  
Period (1)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (2)
 
Dollar Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs
        
April 1 to April 30, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
May 1 to May 31, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
June 1 to June 30, 2019
 $
 
 $197,795,011
Total
 $
 
  
 
(1)Other than as set forth in the table above, we made no purchases of shares of Class A common stock forduring the quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2019.

(2)In August 2015, the Board approved a $500.0 million multi-year repurchase program in addition to the $500.0 million multi-year program approved in August 2014, bringing the aggregate share repurchase program to $1.0 billion of the Company’s common stock. The Company has utilized $802.2 million of the current repurchase program. As of March 31,June 30, 2019, $197.8 million remains available for purchase under the program.

Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable. 
Item 5.  Other Information
None.
 

Item 6.   Exhibits
Exhibit 
No. Description
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   
* Filed herewith.




SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the persons undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 GNC HOLDINGS, INC.
 (Registrant)
  
 /s/ Tricia K. Tolivar
Date: May 2,July 22, 2019Tricia K. Tolivar
 Chief Financial Officer
 (Principal Financial Officer)


4146