GNC To Close Temecula Store, Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

TEMECULA, CA — GNC has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close 27 California stores, including its location at Promenade Temecula.

The health supplement giant has struggled financially for years, working to pay off debt, GNC said Tuesday in a statement on its website. Executives were working to refinance the company when the coronavirus pandemic began.

COVID-19 "created a situation where we were unable to accomplish our refinancing," the GNC statement read. "The abrupt change in the operating environment had a dramatic negative impact on our business."

Although the Promenade Temecula location is on the chopping block, nearby GNC stores in Murrieta and Lake Elsinore were spared, as was the store on Ynez Road in Temecula's Palm Plaza.

GNC said Chapter 11 bankruptcy was its best option to stay in business long-term. It plans to close 800 to 1,200 stores nationwide and focus on stores that see more customers.

Gift cards will retain value and GNC's 30-day return policy is still in effect. No special promotions are forthcoming, the company said.

California stores slated for closure are located in:

• Brawley
• Buena Park
• Burbank
• Carlsbad
• Colton
• Corona
• Emeryville
• Gilroy
• Modesto
• Monrovia
• Monterey
• Palmdale
• Palo Alto
• Rancho Bernardo
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Rancho Mirage
• Red Bluff
• Rocklin
• San Diego
• Santa Ana
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Rosa
• Temecula
• Tracy
• Union City
• West Sacramento
• Yucaipa

See the full list of closures here and read more information from GNC about how bankruptcy will affect its operations here.

—Patch Editor Courtney Teague