| BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-K and Regulation S-X. The Company's annual reporting period is based on a calendar year. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and all of its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management bases these estimates on assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to include all cash and liquid deposits and investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Payments due from banks for third-party credit and debit cards generally process within 24 to 72 hours, and are classified as cash equivalents. Receivables, net. The Company extends credit terms for sales of product to its franchisees, wholesale partners and contract manufacturing customers. Receivables consist principally of unpaid invoices for product sales, franchisee royalties and sublease payments. The Company also has notes receivables with certain of its franchisees that were $ 12.1 million and $ 17.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and are primarily recorded within other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets. As of the first quarter of 2016, the Company discontinued offering franchisees loans. Franchisees secure financing from lending institutions, which include but are not limited to the small business administration and national banks with franchise programs. These loans typically require the Company to subordinate its first lien position on inventory and furniture and fixtures at predetermined amounts. The Company monitors the financial condition of its customers and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for balances estimated to be uncollectible. In addition to considering the aging of receivable balances and assessing the financial condition, the Company considers collateral including inventory and fixed assets for domestic franchisees and letters of credit for international franchisees. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $4.6 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Inventory. Inventory components consist of raw materials, work-in-process, finished product and packaging supplies. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first in/first out basis ("FIFO"). Inventory includes costs associated with distribution and transportation costs, as well as manufacturing overhead, which are capitalized and expensed as merchandise is sold. Inventory is recorded at net realizable value, net of obsolescence, shrinkage and vendor allowances for product costs. The Company regularly reviews its inventory levels in order to identify slow moving and short dated products, using factors such as amount of inventory on hand, remaining shelf life, current and expected market conditions, historical trends and the likelihood of recovering the inventory costs based on anticipated demand. Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment expenditures are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows: Building 30 yrs Machinery and equipment 3-10 yrs Building and leasehold improvements 3-15 yrs Furniture and fixtures 5-8 yrs Software 3-5 yrs Building improvements are depreciated over their estimated useful life or the remaining useful life of the related building, whichever period is shorter. Improvements to leased premises are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the improvements or the related leases including renewals that are reasonably assured, whichever period is shorter. Expenditures that materially increase the value or clearly extend the useful life of property, plant and equipment are capitalized while repair and maintenance costs incurred in the normal course of operations are expensed as incurred. Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The Company was acquired by Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund II L.P. and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board in March 2007 and subsequently completed an initial public offering in 2011 of its common stock. In connection with this acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $ 600 million of goodwill and a $ 720 million indefinite-lived intangible asset related to its brand name. Goodwill is allocated to the Company's reporting units, which are at or below the level of an operating segment as defined by Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280 "Segment Reporting." The Company formally evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill for each of its reporting units in the fourth quarter. In addition, the Company performs an evaluation on an interim basis if it determines that recent events or prevailing conditions indicate a potential impairment of goodwill. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining whether an indicator of impairment has occurred between annual impairment tests. These indicators include, but are not limited to, overall financial performance such as adverse changes in recent forecasts of operating results, industry and market considerations, a sustained decrease in the share price of the Company's common stock, updated business plans and regulatory and legal developments. Goodwill is impaired when the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value based upon a two-step process. In step one of the analysis, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the test must be performed, which requires the Company to determine the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if it had acquired the reporting unit in an arm’s length transaction as of the testing date. This second step is performed by deducting the estimated fair value of all tangible and identifiable intangible net assets of the reporting unit from the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds this implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference as an operating expense in the period incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $ 471.1 million of goodwill impairment charges. See Note 6, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" for more information. The Company's indefinite-lived intangible brand asset is also evaluated annually in the fourth quarter for impairment and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests indicate that the assets might be impaired. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. Impairment of Definite-Long-lived Assets. The Company evaluates whether the carrying values of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets have been impaired whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows. Factors that may trigger an impairment review include significant changes in the intended use of assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, under-performing stores and anticipated store closings. If it is determined that the carrying value of the applicable asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded $ 5.4 million in long-lived asset impairment related to property and equipment. Refer to Note 7, "Property, Plant and Equipment, Net" for more information. Revenue Recognition. Within the U.S. and Canada segment, retail sales in company-owned stores are recognized at the point of sale, net of sales tax. Revenue related to e-commerce sales is recognized upon delivery to customers and includes shipping charges. A provision for anticipated returns is recorded through a reduction of sales and cost of sales (for product that can be resold or returned to vendors) in the period that the related sales are recorded. Revenue is deferred on sales of the Company's Gold Cards and subsequently recognized over the one year membership period. The Gold Card Member Pricing program which provided members product discounts was discontinued in all domestic company-owned and franchise stores on December 28, 2016 in connection with the introduction of the One New GNC. As a part of this launch, the Company provided former Gold Card customers that were within the membership period of generally one year with a coupon which was equivalent to a reimbursement of the unexpired portion of their Gold Card membership fee. During the fourth quarter, the Company recognized $ 4.0 million of Gold Card deferred revenue, as the coupons were redeemed in the pilot markets and system-wide after the launch of the One New GNC. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has $ 24.4 million of deferred Gold Card revenue which will be recognized in the first quarter of 2017 over the coupon redemption period which expires in March 2017. Effective with the launch of the One New GNC on December 29, 2016, the Company introduced a free points-based loyalty program myGNC Rewards; system-wide in the U.S. The program enables customers to earn points based on their purchases. Points earned by members are valid for one year and may be redeemed for cash discounts on any product the Company sells at both company-owned or franchise locations. The Company defers the estimated standalone selling price of points related to this program as a reduction to revenue as points are earned by allocating a portion of the transaction price the customer pays to a loyalty program liability on the consolidated balance sheet. The estimated selling price of each point is based on the estimated value of product for which the point is expected to be redeemed, net of points not expected to be redeemed, based on historical redemption. When a customer redeems earned points, revenue is recognized with a corresponding reduction to the program liability. The program liability and impact to revenue related to this program was not material to 2016 results but is expected to be material in 2017 and beyond. Also effective with the launch of the One New GNC, the Company began offering a paid membership program, PRO Access, for $ 39.99 per year, which provides members with the delivery of three boxes throughout the membership year, as well as the periodic offering of product discounts and opportunities to earn triple points among other benefits. The boxes include sample merchandise and other materials. The Company recognizes revenue under the PRO Access program as the underlying performance obligations are satisfied. Revenue under this program was not material in 2016 but is expected to be material in 2017 and beyond. Revenue from gift cards is recognized when the gift card is redeemed. Gift cards do not have expiration dates and are not required to be escheated to government authorities. Utilizing historical redemption rates, the Company recognizes revenue for amounts not expected to be redeemed proportionately as other gift card balances are redeemed. Revenues from domestic and international franchisees include product sales, royalties and franchise fees and are recorded within the U.S. and Canada segment for domestic franchisees and the International segment for international franchisees. The Company's franchisees purchase a significant amount of the products they sell in their retail stores from the Company at wholesale prices. Revenue on product sales to franchisees is recognized when risk of loss, title and insurable risks have transferred to the franchisee, net of estimated returns and allowances. Franchise fees are paid in advance, deferred and recognized by the Company at the time of a franchise store opening. Franchise royalties are recognized as a percentage of the franchisees' retail sales in the period the franchisees' sales occur. The Manufacturing / Wholesale segment sells product to the Company's other segments, which is eliminated in consolidation, and third-party customers. Revenue is recognized when risk of loss, title and insurable risks have transferred to the customer, net of estimated returns and allowances. Cost of Sales. The Company purchases products directly from third-party vendors and manufactures its own products. Cost of sales includes product costs, vendor allowances, inventory obsolescence, shrinkage, manufacturing overhead, warehousing, distribution, shipping and store occupancy costs. Store occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance charges, real estate and other asset-based taxes, general maintenance, utilities, depreciation, lease incentives and certain insurance expenses. Vendor Allowances. The Company receives allowances/credits from various vendors based on either sales or purchase volumes, right of return for expired product and non-saleable customer returns, and cooperative advertising. As the right of offset exists under these arrangements, credit earned under these arrangements are recorded as a reduction in the vendors' accounts payable balances on the balance sheet and represent the estimated amounts due to the Company under the provisions of such contracts. Amounts expected to be received from vendors relating to the purchase of merchandise inventories are recognized as a reduction to cost of sales as the merchandise is sold. Amounts that represent a reimbursement of costs incurred, such as advertising, are recorded as a reduction to the related expense in the period that the expense is incurred. The Company recorded a reduction to cost of sales of $ 94.9 million , $98.7 million and $89.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, for vendor allowances associated with the purchase and sale of merchandise. Research and Development. Research and development costs arising from internally generated projects are expensed as incurred. The Company recognized approximately $ 6 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . Advertising Expenditures. The Company recognizes the costs of advertising, promotion and marketing programs the first time the communication takes place. The Company administers national advertising funds on behalf of its franchisees. In accordance with the franchisee contracts, the Company collects advertising fees from the franchisees and utilizes the proceeds to coordinate various advertising and marketing campaigns. The Company recognized advertising expense of $74.1 million , $69.5 million and $76.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, net of $15.7 million , $16.0 million and $15.9 million received from the Company's franchisees. Leases. The Company has various operating leases for company-owned and franchise store locations, distribution centers, and equipment generally with an initial term of five years, which may include renewal options for varying terms thereafter. Leases for franchise store locations are subleased to franchisees. The Company is the primary lessee for the majority of the franchise store locations and makes rental payments to the landlord directly, and then bills the franchisee for reimbursement. The Company records rental income received from franchisees as revenue. If a franchisee defaults on its sublease, the Company has in the past converted, any such franchise store into a company-owned store and fulfilled the remaining lease obligation. Leases generally include amounts relating to base rent, percent rent and other charges such as common area maintenance and real estate taxes. Periodically, the Company receives varying amounts of reimbursements from landlords to compensate the Company for costs incurred in the construction of stores. These reimbursements are recorded as deferred rent within other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and are amortized as a reduction to rent expense over the life of the related lease. The expenditures made by the Company are recorded as an increase to leasehold improvements within property, plant and equipment, net. Many of the Company’s lease agreements contain escalation clauses under which, if fixed and determinable, rent expense and rent income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lives of the leases, including renewal periods that are reasonably assured. Certain of the Company's leases also contain clauses for rent to be paid as a percentage of sales, which are based on a percentage of retail sales or a percentage of retail sales in excess of stipulated amounts (contingent rent). Contingent rent is recorded as rent expense when attainment of the target is considered probable and is recognized in proportion to the retail sales contributing to the achievement of the target. Contingencies. The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If both of the conditions above are not met, disclosure is made when there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss contingency has been incurred. As facts concerning contingencies evolve and become known, management reassesses the likelihood of a probable loss and makes appropriate adjustments to its financial statements. Pre-Opening Expenditures. The Company recognizes the cost associated with the opening of new stores, which consist primarily of rent, marketing, payroll and recruiting costs, as incurred. Income Taxes . The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities result from (i) the future tax impact of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and (ii) differences between the recorded value of assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases for financial reporting purposes and their corresponding tax bases. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is at least more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of the tax benefit that is recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon effective settlement. The Company classifies interest and penalties accrued in connection with unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 4, "Income Taxes," for more information. Self-Insurance. T he Company is self-insured for certain losses related to health, workers' compensation and general liability insurance and maintains stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit its liability exposure. Liabilities associated with these losses are estimated by considering historical claims experience, estimated lag time to report and pay claims, average cost per claim and other actuarial factors. Stock-Based Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of time-based stock option awards. The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation for its market-based awards, which requires various inputs and assumptions, including the Company's own stock price. The grant-date fair value of the Company's time-based restricted stock, performance-based restricted stock, time-based restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted stock units (collectively herein referred to as "restricted stock awards") are based on the closing price for a share of the Company's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on the grant date. Compensation expense for time and market-based awards is recognized over the applicable vesting period, net of expected forfeitures. Performance-based awards also include a service condition and compensation expense is recognized over the applicable vesting period if the performance condition is probable of being achieved, net of expected forfeitures. The Company regularly reviews the probability of achieving the performance condition on these awards. Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to compute diluted EPS, which assumes that outstanding stock awards were converted into common stock and that outstanding stock options that are in-the-money were exercised, and the resulting proceeds (which includes unrecognized compensation expense and excess tax benefits) were used to acquire shares of common stock at its average market price during the reporting period. Foreign Currency. For all active foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into the Company's reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, using period-end exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Translation gains and losses are recorded as part of other comprehensive (loss) income on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company has intercompany balances with its foreign entities that are routinely settled primarily relating to product sales and management fees. Gains or losses resulting from these foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and were not material in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . Revision for Sublease Rent Income The Company revised its presentation of sublease income received from its franchisees for prior year periods to conform to the current period's presentation with no impact on previously reported gross profit, operating income, net income, shareholders' equity or cash flow from operations. The Company is the primary obligor of the leases for the majority of its franchise store locations and makes rental payments directly to the landlord and separately bills the franchisee for reimbursement. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2016, sublease rental income received from franchisees is appropriately presented as "Revenue" compared with the previous presentation as a reduction to occupancy expense in "Cost of sales, including warehousing, distribution, and occupancy" on the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the deferred rent asset associated with recognizing sublease rental income for lease agreements that contain escalation clauses, which are fixed and determinable, on a straight-line basis is now appropriately presented in "Other long-term assets" compared with the previous presentation as a reduction to the deferred rent liability in "Other long-term liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. This revision is not material to prior periods. The following table includes the revisions to the 2015 and 2014 consolidated statements of operations: Year ended December 31, 2015 2014 Revenue: (in thousands) Prior to revision $ 2,639,212 $ 2,613,154 Revision 44,086 41,852 As Revised $ 2,683,298 $ 2,655,006 Cost of sales, including warehousing, distribution and occupancy: Prior to revision $ 1,654,569 $ 1,632,914 Revision 44,086 41,852 As Revised $ 1,698,655 $ 1,674,766 The following table includes the revision to the consolidated balance sheet: December 31, 2015 Other long-term assets: (in thousands) Prior to revision (*) $ 32,891 Revision 5,664 As Revised $ 38,555 Other long-term liabilities: Prior to revision $ 53,352 Revision 5,664 As Revised $ 59,016 (*) Includes the adoption of ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 relating to the presentation of deferred financing fees as described below, which reclassified $ 3.3 million of debt issuance costs from "Other long-term assets" to "Long-term debt" at December 31, 2015 on the consolidated balance sheet. Correction of Immaterial Error During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company identified a $ 2.8 million error relating to prior periods in the calculation of the portion of the accrued payroll liability relating to certain amounts paid to store employees. The impact of this error was not material to any prior period. In addition, the cumulative impact of the correction was not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 or the year ended December 31, 2015. Consequently, the Company corrected the error in the first quarter of 2015 by increasing selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations and "Deferred revenue and other current liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet by $ 2.8 million . The impact to net income was a decrease of $ 1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This correction had no impact on cash flows from operations in the prior year. Other Loss (Income), Net Other loss (income), net, in the year ended December 31, 2016 includes $ 0.4 million of foreign currency losses. The year ended December 31, 2015 includes a loss of $ 2.7 million attributable to the closure and related asset sale of Discount Supplements. The year ended December 31, 2014 include the reversal of $ 4.4 million in a contingent purchase price liability associated with the Discount Supplements acquisition. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2015-03, which requires an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the treatment of debt discounts. This standard does not affect the recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs. In August 2015, the FASB subsequently issued ASU 2015-15, which clarifies that ASU 2015-03 does not address the presentation of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Accordingly, the Company adopted this change in accounting principle during the first quarter of fiscal 2016, with retrospective application. Net debt issuance costs in the amount of $ 3.3 million , which were previously classified as "Other long-term assets" at December 31, 2015, were reclassified as a reduction to "Long-term debt" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet to conform to the current year presentation. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, which requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, ending after December 15, 2016. Accordingly, the Company has adopted this ASU and evaluated the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern as well as the need for related footnote disclosure. The Company has concluded no disclosure is necessary regarding the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. This standard is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which addresses changes to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments within the statement of cash flows in order to address diversity in practice. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. Both standards are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of these changes on the consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which includes multiple provisions intended to simplify various aspects of accounting and reporting for share-based payments. Currently, the difference between the deduction for tax purposes and the compensation cost of a share-based payment award results in either an excess tax benefit or deficiency. These excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital and tax deficiencies (to the extent there are previous tax benefits) are recognized as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits. If no previous tax benefit exists, the deficiencies are recognized in the income statement as an increase to income tax expense. The changes require all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. Gross excess tax benefits in the cash flow statement will also change from the current presentation as a financing activity to being classified as an operating activity. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the impact of this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the 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 for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company has a significant number of leases, and as a result, expects this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheet, the impact of which is currently being evaluated. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, which requires an entity to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, which requires an entity that determines the cost of inventory by methods other than last-in, first-out and the retail inventory method to measure inventory at the lower |
