Worst company I've ever worked for - Store Manager GNC Employee Review

1.0
10 Aug 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Exposure to education about nutrition, some fun people to work with, the strength gained from working for a disorganized, excessively demanding, punitive, idiotic company and surviving without getting fired.

Cons

Ridiculous and totally illogical approach to reaching sales percentage metrics combined with corporate memos that demean you for trying to make those metrics. Utterly disorganized corporate management, constantly sending updates to make corrections upon corrections until you have no idea what they actually want. Constant threat of being fired for sales percentages, ringing errors, etc., when they can't seem to get their act together. Very punitive environment that is more focused on punishment than rewards. Ridiculously low pay for the amount of stress and workload. Contradictory directions from upper management. For example, if you fail a secret shop for not offering the six specific items corporate chose to each customer you can get fired, but then they send a memo to sell the customer what they want and never come across as a salesperson. People get fired for abusing coupon numbers just so that they can make a sale, not because they want commission, but just to keep their job. I concluded after working for a manager for this company for over a year that they believe their employees will be more productive if they live in fear and stress about keeping their job. They expect managers to increase customer volume but provide no hours, resources, or any good advice. No additional hours provided to train part time employees and the small stores have very few hours available, making it virtually impossible to train new employees effectively. This company is abusive toward their employees and operates practically as a police state with secret shops, loss prevention spying on people from parking lots, etc. Their corporate management training states that they 44% "don't make it" past 90 days of employment. I hated hiring young people who were just looking for a part time minimum wage job because I knew that this company would just break their spirit. Most of my employees were fired or were forced out due to threats about sales numbers or accusations of wrongdoing. Worst company I have ever worked for in my life.

Explore other reviews about GNC

5.0
12 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexible schedule, Relaxed, Good for in school

Cons

not good pay, no benefits

4.0
18 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great great part-time job if you are interested in the fitness industry and want to learn a bit more about the products and how to further develop your training.

Cons

Hourly job so depends on times you get selected. And there slow times of the day for sales

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