Jenny Craig, Inc.

Jenny Craig, Inc., is an American corporation founded by Jenny & Sidney Craig in 1985 which operates over 550 weight loss centers in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

According to the company's publications, Jenny Craig, Inc., is one of the largest weight management service companies in the world, offering a comprehensive weight management program that combines sound nutrition and simple activity to help clients achieve the balance necessary for optimal weight loss and personal well-being.

Jenny Craig Weight Management Program headquarters are located in Carlsbad, California. Although the Craigs have no formal training in nutrition or exercise, the company states that its clients are provided with one-on-one counseling sessions with individual consultants who may be professional nutritionists or health professionals. Certification to perform in the position is provided internally. Members join any one of a number of types of plans and then purchase prepackaged food from the company. Initially they are given a completely pre-planned menu to follow utilizing the company's line of over 75 frozen and dry foods along with store-bought items like dairy and vegetables. Shortly afterwords, clients are able to customize their own menus using the same range of foods. Once they have reached the halfway point they are switched to a menu wherein 3 or 4 days each week do not include Jenny Craig food.

The declared ultimate goal of the Jenny Craig plan is to help change lifestyle and eating habits of participants so that by the time they have reached their pre-chosen goal weight, they no longer need to rely on pre packaged food, pre-planned menus or consultations to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In early 2000, Monica Lewinsky somewhat controversially served as the plan's spokeswoman. As of 2005, actress Kirstie Alley (Cheers, Look Who's Talking, Fat Actress) is the spokeswoman for the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Plan. Valerie Bertinelli, who had slowly gained weight over the years, can now be seen, alongside Kirstie Alley, as a new spokeperson for the Jenny Craig weight-loss program diet commercials.

In May 2002, Jenny Craig, Inc., was acquired by ACI Capital, a New York-based private investment firm, and MidOcean Partners, a New York and London-based private investment firm. On June 19, 2006, they announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell the company to Nestlé in a transaction valued at approximately $600 million.