WW International, widely known as WeightWatchers, is gearing up to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming months, aiming to transfer control to its creditors, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The move follows a steep decline in the company's fortunes as weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy reshape the obesity treatment landscape.
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Shares of WeightWatchers plummeted nearly 59% to 18 cents in afternoon trading Thursday. The stock, which once soared to $100 in 2018, has lost nearly all its value amid revenue drops and mounting financial strain.
Struggling to Adapt
WeightWatchers has faced challenges staying relevant as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs gain traction, offering faster results than the company's traditional nutrition and behavior-change programs. In 2023, the company acquired Sequence, a telehealth platform, to prescribe these drugs and pivot toward medical weight-loss solutions. Despite the shift, WeightWatchers has struggled to reverse its downward trajectory.
The company's 2024 revenue fell to $786 million, a sharp drop from its 2012 peak of $1.84 billion. WeightWatchers has reported six consecutive years of declining revenue and three straight years of nine-digit net losses, totaling over $700 million. Efforts to cut costs, including ending many in-person meetings in 2023, sparked backlash from loyal members.
Leadership Shakeups and Debt Talks
The company has also navigated leadership turmoil. Former CEO Sima Sistani, who pushed WeightWatchers to embrace weight-loss drugs, departed abruptly in September. Tara Comonte, a board member and former Shake Shack president, stepped in as interim CEO before securing the permanent role in February.
WeightWatchers is now negotiating with lenders and bondholders to restructure its debt, the Journal reported. While an out-of-court agreement remains possible, Chapter 11 bankruptcy appears more likely as the company fights to stay operational. These talks are separate from recent market volatility tied to the Trump administration's tariff announcements, sources told the Journal.
The company's struggles intensified after Oprah Winfrey, a high-profile investor and advocate, left its board in 2024. Her exit marked a symbolic blow to WeightWatchers, which has long leaned on celebrity endorsements to bolster its brand.
