Medi-Weightloss Clinics

Headquarters

509 S. Hyde Park Ave.

Tampa, FL 33606

Ed Kaloust, CEO

April Plank, Vice President of Marketing

Chelsey Millstone, Registered Dietitian

Phone: 877-633-5677

Website: www.mediweightlossclinics.com

Summary

This is a physician-supervised, medically based weight loss company founded in 2004 by former financier and banker Edward Kaloust, whose vision and perseverance has taken Medi-Weightloss Clinics® to become one of the most successful franchise operations in the United States. Entrepreneur Magazine recently announced its annual Franchise 500 list of the nation’s largest franchisors, and Kaloust’s Medi-Weightloss Clinics®has vaulted onto the list at No. 356 – an extraordinary feat considering it began offering franchises only in the year 2008.

It has grown during the heart of the 2007-2010 economic recession to 82 locations in 21 states. The Tampa-based company’s revenues have grown 594 percent since its first year of operation in 2006.

“We’re registered in all those states and we’re looking to expand nationwide,” he said, noting that the company is compliant with all laws, including HIPAA mandates and FTC advertising regulations. “Although we have protocol set in place, every physician maintains autonomy. They prescribe the best solution to each individual patient and abide by their state’s laws.”

The program began in 2004 and the clinics started opening in 2006. Each clinic does have an MD, who is required to become a member of the American Assn. of Bariatric Physicians.

About 15% of this companys clients are men, 85% women.

The Program

This program is completely physician supervised. Its a very low calorie (500/day) diet based on eating regular foods. Supplements and vitamin injections (amino acids, B-12, chromium), as well as prescription appetite suppressants may be used as well, if needed. The program includes a complete patient management tool, detailed scale and behavior modification. The companys Vita-Super Daily Supplement is taken as a tablet once a day with meals, and provides essential vitamins and minerals. Clients are asked to come to the center once a week for monitoring, and there is an extensive maintenance phase. There are three phases to the program:

1) acute (weight loss phase) – This is a 500-600 calorie/day phase where you eat high protein foods and 2 servings of vegetables or 1 fruit and 1 vegetable.

2) short-term maintenance – In this phase, they wean you off the appetite suppressant meds and raise the calorie level.

3) wellness – In this phase, you get more emphasis on support and exercise, and skills needed to keep the weight off.

Clients get monthly check-ups and lab work. All counseling is performed by medical professionals such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The company employs a Medical Director and a registered dietitian.

Most of the clinics dispense the prescription appetite suppressants in-house. Exercise is recommended on the program and they have a fitness program that can be done at home that includes access to over 400 exercises on-line, portable fitness equipment, educational manuals, and a DVD. Psychological issues are covered in the weekly meetings.

The company has a signature patient website that has additional recipes for all phases of the program (more than 20), instructional exercise videos, and a weight loss tracker. This weight loss tracker plots the patient’s progress week by week.

Cost

The Medi-Weightloss diet plan costs 268 for the initial consultation, lab work, EKG and a start-up kit, plus 70 per week. Prescription drugs, vitamin injections and counseling are all included in the 70. Supplements cost an additional 20-40/month and include vitamins, fat burners and a colon cleanser. In certain large metro areas such as New York City and Chicago, prices may be slightly higher. If a person had 50 lbs. to lose and lost an average of 3-4 lbs. per week on this plan, their cost would be about 1,200.