GNC sets the standard in the health and nutrition industry by demanding truth in labeling, ingredient safety and product potency, all while remaining on the cutting edge of nutritional science. As our company has grown over the years, so has our commitment. In fact, General Nutrition Centers is the world's largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to helping its customers improve their quality of life.

From scientific research and new product discovery to manufacturing and packaging process, GNC takes pride in our rigorous approach to ensuring quality. Our commitment to quality extends to our interactions with you in our stores and after you buy our products.

GNC Quality

GNC ensures the highest quality products to help you live well. Read about how we build quality into all we do.

At General Nutrition Centers, we've been developing quality products for over 65 years, guaranteeing to you that your health is the best it can be. Over the last several generations, we've listened to your needs and have responded with the largest selection of nutritional supplements on the market today.

As we have grown over the years, so has our commitment. We have set the standard in the health and nutrition industry by demanding truth in labeling, ingredient safety and potency, while remaining on the cutting edge of nutritional science. We are one of the world's largest companies of its kind devoted exclusively to helping our customers improve their quality of life through better nutrition and healthier living.

From our scientific research and new product discovery to our manufacturing and packaging processes and finally our interaction with you in our stores and after you buy the product, everything GNC does is done with rigorous quality. Come see more about what makes us different each step of the way to helping you Live Well.

Company History

In 1935, David Shakarian launched a dream of his by establishing a little health food store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania called Lackzoom. Shakarian's first storefront was located at 418 Wood Street in Pittsburgh's Downtown district. Lackzoom specialized in yogurt, a food his father helped introduce in the United States, but also sold other healthy foods such as honey, grains and "health sandwiches." Even though "health food" was thought to be a passing fad back then, people embraced Shakarian's store. From his first day's receipts of only $35 he was able to make enough money to open a second location six months later.

Disaster struck with the 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood, which wiped out both of Shakarian's stores, but he reopened both locations and went on to own six Pittsburgh area stores within five years. By 1947, he decided to get the word out to the people about the benefits of "health food."

The 60's decade saw many changes; as people began to embrace the whole concept of natural foods and better nutrition, Shakarian decided to embrace the demand and opened stores in other states. In this process he also changed the name of the store to General Nutrition Center.

As the store count continued to grow, GNC began producing its own vitamin and mineral supplements as well as foods, beverages and cosmetics. By the early 80's the number of GNC locations had grown to over 1,000.

Although we lost our founder in 1984, GNC has steadfastly continued to expand upon David Shakarian's dream. General Nutrition Centers, Inc., still has Pittsburgh roots. Our worldwide headquarters is located just two blocks from the original storefront. As the largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral, herbal supplements, and sports nutrition supplements, as well as many personal care and related products, GNC operates more than 4,800 retail outlets throughout the United States more than 1,300 domestic franchise locations, more than 1,000 store-within-a-store locations under its strategic alliance with Rite Aid and more than 800 locations in more than 35 foreign markets including Canada and Mexico.