WeightWatchers, the iconic 62-year-old weight loss brand that helped millions shed pounds through its points system and support meetings, has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company announced Tuesday.
Now operating as WW International, the company said the move will “strengthen its financial position, increase flexibility for strategic growth, and continue serving its members worldwide.” The restructuring aims to eliminate a significant portion of its $1.5 billion debt, with WW expecting to reemerge in approximately 40 days as a publicly traded company.
WeightWatchers Falls Behind in the Age of Weight Loss Drugs
WW has struggled to compete with the rise of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which have surged in popularity as quicker alternatives to traditional calorie counting. Once a leader in lifestyle-based weight management, WW’s model of tracking food and attending meetings has lost appeal in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven health landscape.
CEO Tara Comonte, who took over after former CEO Sima Sistani’s failed turnaround strategy, said in a statement:
“The decisive actions we’re taking today, with the overwhelming support of our lenders and noteholders, will give us the flexibility to accelerate innovation, reinvest in our members, and lead with authority in a rapidly evolving weight management landscape.”
Former CEO’s Bold Pivot Didn’t Work
Under Sistani’s leadership, WW acquired a telehealth platform to connect users with doctors who could prescribe GLP-1 drugs. While the move signaled a shift away from its traditional program, it ultimately failed to deliver results, and WW’s stock plummeted. Sistani exited the company in September 2024.
Comonte, formerly CFO at Shake Shack, inherited a company burdened with $100 million in annual interest payments and a sharp 12% decline in membership reported in February 2025.
Oprah Winfrey’s Departure Was Another Blow
In 2024, long-time board member and brand ambassador Oprah Winfrey stepped down from her role and donated all her shares to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Though Oprah once credited the program for helping her lose 40 pounds in 2016, she later admitted to using weight loss medication as well.
A Legacy in Crisis
Founded in 1963 by Jean Nidetch, WeightWatchers revolutionized dieting by building a community-based system focused on behavioral change. Nidetch, who famously said, “It’s choice, not chance, that determines your destiny,” lost more than 70 pounds herself through the program’s original structure of in-person support and healthy eating habits.
Despite serving 3.3 million subscribers as of late 2024, WW’s stock now trades as a penny stock, a dramatic fall from its 2018 peak when shares were valued at nearly $100.