Weight Watchers, now known as WW International, Inc., has been a venerable heavyweight in the weight loss industry for decades, but who owns WW?
Weight Watchers is currently a publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WW. This means that anyone can buy stock in the company and own a little piece of Weight Watchers which currently has a market cap in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
However, retail investors like you and me only own about 20% of Weight Watchers. Most of the company stock is owned by institutions including Blackrock, Vanguard Group, Millennium Management LLC, and Contrarius Investment Management. You’ll also find WW stock in several mutual funds including those from Vanguard, Schwab, and Fidelity. (Source)
We list the best membership offers here. Here’s a brief history of who has owned Weight Watchers.
The History of Weight Watchers Ownership
Weight Watchers has not always been a publicly traded company, and WW has an intriguing history of ownership changes since its inception when Jean Nidetch, a Queens housewife, founded the company in 1963.
Shortly after its inception, Weight Watchers experienced a boom in popularity leading to rapid expansion, franchising, and going public by the late 1960s under the guidance of Al and Felice Lippert, who played crucial roles in its early development.
In 1978, Weight Watchers was acquired by the H. J. Heinz Company for $72 million, marking a significant shift in its ownership and making Jean Nidetch a very wealthy woman. Under Heinz, the company expanded its offerings, including prepared food lines and other weight loss products.
Weight Watchers Returns to Private Ownership:
The turn of the century saw another major shift. In 1999, Artal Luxembourg, a private equity firm, purchased Weight Watchers from Heinz in a deal orchestrated by the Invus Group. This move was significant as it saw the company returning to private ownership and marked a new era of expansion and innovation plus new celebrity spokespersons.
Weight Watchers didn’t stay privately owned for long, as they went public on the NYSE on November 15, 2001. (source)
WW Goes Public + Oprah’s Ownership Stake
One of the most notable moments in recent Weight Watchers history came in 2015 when Oprah Winfrey bought a 10% stake in the company. Her involvement not only brought significant media attention but also infused the brand with new energy, as she became a spokesperson and board member.
“I am deeply committed to Weight Watchers and continue to see a bright future for the company. I believe in Weight Watchers and I’m inspired every day by the millions of people around the world who are leading healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
Oprah
Oprah sold about 25% of her stake in WW in 2019 for about an 800% gain and made more big stock sales shortly after. This was impeccable timing as the WW stock price dropped soon after and has languished in recent years.
Weight Watchers Ownership Now
WW International’s ownership currently includes a mix of institutional and private equity stakeholders, with investor Artal Luxembourg remaining a major shareholder over the years. While Oprah sold tens of millions in WW stock, she remains a significant shareholder.
This blend of ownership reflects the WW company’s evolution from a small group in a Queens living room to a global entity in the health and wellness space. The company’s journey through various ownership structures and market challenges underscores its resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing health and wellness industry in the face of competition from top brands like Noom and Nutrisystem.
Are you thinking of joining WW? If so, we list today’s best membership deals here. Look for popular offers like $10 a month, 3 months free, and a free smart scale. Groups like teachers and healthcare workers qualify for a special rate.
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