We're willing to make adjustments, but those adjustments would have to be within the value package of our offer.

[Larry Beck, executive director of the General Nutrition Operators Association (GNOA) thinks the whole thing stinks, too.] The value of these free supplier products was much greater than the modest dues asked for joining the association, ... The GNC Corporation has been steadily reducing franchise operators’ ability to make a living. We simply want to offer some immediate bottom-line help to the franchise operators upon receipt of their membership dues. It is frustrating when GNC Corporation takes actions to directly hinder franchise operators’ profitability.

I'm better now. But it made me value things in general a lot more. It made it harder to leave home again on tour, but it was fun once I was out there.

We've always had an aggressive e-commerce strategy. Since our first Web site in 1994, we realized a Web site was more than just a corporate brochure. It had to be an advanced business tool providing everything companies need to design, print and manage their documents online.

We're very pleased that the agreements were ratified and we look forward to those employees returning to work. It comes a day before it would have been three months.

In this time of defense budgets being what they are, there certainly is a mandate from the Pentagon to bring down costs to be competitive to meet their needs.