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SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITEREnd of a Chapter

Florine Mark sells her Weight Watchers franchise.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On her “Ask Florine” TV news segment

Florine Mark, pioneering Michigan businesswoman, civic volunteer and philanthropist, has sold the WW Group, her Weight Watchers franchise in Michigan and Ontario, to parent company WW International. Financial terms were not disclosed. Mark was the franchise founder and served as its president and chief executive officer at its Farmington Hills headquarters.

“It was time,” she says of her decision, made with her children, to sell Weight Watchers. “It’s bittersweet. I’ve been in this business for 50 years. My joy is being able to help people get healthy,” Mark says.

According to Mark, COVID temporarily ended in-person Weight Watchers classes, and she anticipates that attendance will be limited as some WW studios reopen. “Weight Watchers has closed most of its centers and wants to go digital. They have great apps, but I’m not in the digital business,” Mark explains.

According to Nick Hotchkin, COO of WW International, “WW International acquired the WW Group’s franchise businesses in Michigan and Ontario, Canada. As we execute on our vision of bringing wellness to all, we look forward to delivering a consistent member experience to WW members in these regions. We want to thank the WW Group and the Mark family for 55 years of helping members on their wellness journeys.”

WW Group has worked with employers seeking to promote healthy habits among their workforce. Mark has a three-year contract to work for WW International. “I don’t want to retire. I’m a motivator. Maybe I can be a consultant for companies — helping employees to be the best they can be,” she says. She volunteers on many nonprofit boards, which “takes up wonderful time,” including serving as a lifetime Federation board member and chairing the Jewish Community Center. Mark received Federation’s William Davidson Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Previously, she was an at-large board member and has served on several of its comFlorine Mark at a WW Celebrating mittees. Mark was the first woman to serve on Our Success the Detroit Renaissance event. (now Business Leaders for Michigan) board and Bank of Chicago.) has received many honEventually, she found ors for her business and civic financing and opened her first achievements. Michigan Weight Watchers Now that she’ll have more franchise in 1966. Mark sub- free time, Mark says that she PIONEER, ENTREPRENEUR sequently expanded the busi- may return to playing the As a young married woman ness to 14 states, Canada and piano and might take singwith five children living in Mexico. Most of these fran- ing lessons. She continues to Detroit, Mark struggled to chises were sold for a reported attend a weekly virtual Weight lose weight, even trying diet $180 million in 2003. Watchers session and uses a pills. While in New York, she Weight Watchers is a point- Fitdesk, a stationary bicycle enrolled in Weight Watchers based, healthy eating system with a platform for a tablet, to and was able to lose 50 that has received awards for its help stay fit while working. pounds. Michigan didn’t have effectiveness. Mark has been a According to WW a Weight Watchers program, very visible public face of the International, local Weight and Mark was inspired to company, hosting a podcast, Watchers members will be open a franchise. appearing on a regular “Ask able to continue their mem As a woman entrepreneur, Florine” health segment on berships, which include a she initially had difficulty WDIV, and doing motiva- digital and physical workshop obtaining a bank loan. (Years tional speeches to encourage plan, as well as a new digital later, Mark chaired the Detroit healthy lifestyles. In addition option with coaching. Branch of the Federal Reserve to individual members, the

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORINE MARK