A note to listeners, the material in this episode covers the weight loss industry and diet culture,

which could be upsetting for some people.

This episode also contains adult language.

This series originally aired exclusively on Wondering Plus in 2022.

January 1983

In a large hotel conference room in Philadelphia,

Nutra Systems annual parties underway.

A DJ in a velour sweatsuit spins the record, as disco lights swirl around the room.

He's working it.

But no one's dancing.

Instead, Nutra Systems executives in franchisees stand on separate sides of the deserted dance floor.

At the bar, a Nutra System executive rages at a franchisee who's just ordered two cocktails.

You son of a bitch, you're trying to wreck our company.

You're the ones killing the business.

Your overpriced food is driving customers away.

Why should I get gouged by you when I can buy the same food at half the price?

I didn't hear you complaining when the money was just rolling in.

Now that you've actually got to get off your ass to get customers, all you franchisees are whining like little babies.

It's nine months since Nutra System bought the Gloria Marshall figure salon chain from Jenny Craig.

Back then, Nutra System and its 600 weight loss centers were flying high.

Now, it's a business in crisis.

To protect its profits, Nutra System hiked the price of the diet food itself to its franchisees,

...