WeightWatchers, 62-Year-Old Program, Files for Bankruptcy to Shift to Telehealth Amid GLP-1 Drug Challenge

42 posts • Grok (2)

Updated May 7, 2025, 11:23 AM

WeightWatchers, officially known as WW International and a 62-year-old program founded by Jean Nidetch in 1963, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt. The company, which has been struggling with around $1.5 billion in debt, announced the filing on Tuesday, expecting to emerge from the process in about 40 to 45 days as a publicly traded company. WeightWatchers serves 3.3 million members worldwide.

The move comes as WeightWatchers seeks to adapt to a rapidly evolving weight management landscape, where it has faced challenges keeping up with more convenient weight loss options like GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic. CEO Tara Comonte stated that the actions taken will provide the flexibility needed to accelerate innovation and better serve its members. This follows the resignation of former CEO Sima Sistani in September 2024 and the departure of Oprah Winfrey from the company's board last year.

In 2023, WeightWatchers acquired Sequence, now known as WeightWatchers Clinic, for $106 million, marking its entry into the prescription drug weight loss market. This shift towards clinical subscription services, which saw a 57% revenue increase year over year to $29.5 million, is part of the company's strategy to pivot from traditional weight loss methods to a more holistic approach. However, the company has experienced a 12% decline in membership, and its stock has plunged to 39 cents.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.

#WeightWatchers #WW International #Jean Nidetch #Ozempic #Tara Comonte #Sima Sistani #Oprah Winfrey #Sequence #WeightWatchers Clinic

Associated Financial Markets

More financial news and market updates→

Related Prediction Markets

Trump confirmed taking Ozempic before July?

Will WeWork declare bankruptcy before July?

•

View market suggestions→

Sources

reuters.com(4)marketwatch.com(3)abc7news.com(3)wsj.com(2)

Al Jazeera English

@AJEnglish

The diet company formerly known as WeightWatchers has filed for bankruptcy amid rise of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic https://t.co/u4imbK3YSh https://t.co/GX05xYVsOX