Vitamin Shoppe opens its first-ever franchise store

The Vitamin Shoppe has embarked on the next chapter of its growth.

The specialty retailer of vitamin and nutritional products has opened its first-ever franchise store, located in Greensboro, N.C. The store represents a milestone in the 45-year history of the company, which launched its franchising program in 2021.

The Greensboro store is an existing location that was previously operated by The Vitamin Shoppe and has been converted to a franchise unit. The franchisee is a group of partners, comprising Muhammad Kamran Awan, Preet Kamal, Gurmeet Singh, and Husnain Bajwa, who are leading entrepreneurs in the Greensboro area. The partners own and operate multiple businesses across hotels, restaurants, real estate, property management, and retail in the region.

Under terms of the franchise agreement, the partners will renovate the Greensboro store into The Vitamin Shoppe's updated format. They also will open three new stores by 2024 within their franchise territory in greater Greensboro.

"We are thrilled to partner with a group of entrepreneurs who share our deeply held brand values and envision tremendous growth potential for The Vitamin Shoppe,” said Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe. “This unique opportunity to convert a successful, company-owned location to a franchise store under the guidance of local experts will strengthen our business in North Carolina. I'm confident our customers and health enthusiast associates are in good hands."

The Vitamin Shoppe is focused on opening new franchise locations, with the potential for select conversions of existing stores when part of a franchisee's mutually agreed-upon strategic development plan.

Based in Secaucus, N.J., the Vitamin Shoppe has more than 700 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements banners.