Medifast Reports Record Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED), a provider of leading clinically proven portion-controlled weight-loss programs, announced today third quarter financial results for the period ended September 30, 2009.

Third Quarter 2009 highlights included:

• Third quarter revenues increased 65% to $45.0 million, compared to 2008;
• Diluted EPS for the quarter increased 109% to $0.23 versus $0.11 year-over-year;
• Direct sales segment, Take Shape for Life, increased sales 105% year-over-year for the quarter;
• Medifast Weight Control Centers quarterly revenues increased 106%;
• Direct response quarterly revenues increased 14% versus a year ago;
• Operating margins improve to 12.4% versus 8.8% in the comparable quarter;
• Generated Free Cash Flow of $5.3 million.
  

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, Medifast reported revenue of $45.0 million, a 65% increase over the $27.3 million reported in the third quarter of 2008. The Company reported net income of $3.4 million, or $0.23 per fully diluted share, compared with $1.5 million, or $0.11 per fully diluted share in the third quarter of 2008, a diluted EPS increase of 109%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Medifast reported revenue of $119.4 million, an increase of 49% from the $80.0 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The Company reported net income of $8.9 million, or $0.60 per fully diluted share, for the nine month period, versus $4.5 million, or $0.32 per fully diluted share, in 2008.

"We are extremely pleased to report yet another quarter of record revenues and net income," commented Michael S. McDevitt, Chief Executive Officer of Medifast, Inc. "The Medifast program is clearly resonating with consumers as a strong value proposition with the best possible support options for rapid and safe weight loss, as well as the recommendation of 20,000 physicians over 30 years. The growth reported in our direct sales, direct response and clinics segments re-enforces our belief that the outlook for all distribution channels remains strong."

Revenues in the direct sales segment, Take Shape for Life, increased 105% to $27.9 million compared with $13.6 million in the same quarter of 2008. Revenue growth was driven by an increase in the number of active health coaches, which resulted in increased customer product sales. The number of active health coaches during the third quarter increased to approximately 5,800 compared with 3,200 during the period a year ago, an increase of 81% and up from 4,650 at the end of the second quarter of 2009. The net increase of 1,150 health coaches during the quarter is a record for the company and should lead to continued strong growth in the segment. The growth in Take Shape for Life is a result of the hard work, commitment and passion of our coaches. To help fuel this growth, the Company continued to improve tools and training, particularly during its July 2009 National Convention. The unique opportunity to supplement income while helping family, friends and associates improve their quality of life continues to gain significant traction.

During the second quarter, sales in the Company's direct response segment experienced growth of 14% during the quarter to $12.2 million compared with $10.6 million a year ago. This is the first year-over-year increase in five quarters for the direct response segment, as diligent controls of the revenue-to-spend metric, which measures advertising effectiveness, cultivated a 2.7 to 1 ratio for the third quarter, compared with 2.5 to 1 a year ago on an advertising spend increase of $200,000. The increase in the revenue-to-spend metric, coupled with the increase in advertising spend, provided tremendous margin improvement for the segment. Medifast Direct's continued improvement in its advertising effectiveness was primarily attributable to several factors to including a more focused print campaign, continued improvements in the contact center conversion rates, and the use of its customized web analytics tool, C3 Metrics, implemented this time last year, which allows the Company to more accurately track originating clicks and customer conversion related to our web spending.

The Company reported record revenues in its Medifast Weight Control Centers segment of $4.5 million, a 106% increase compared to the third quarter of a year ago, driven by strong same-store sales and new clinics opened during the year. Same-store sales increased 20% for the quarter compared to the third quarter of 2008 for clinics open greater than one year, as a result of effective advertising and increased closing rates. With the growth being experienced by its corporate clinics and franchisees, management expects continued future growth in the Medifast Weight Control Centers channel and will focus on building the best internal infrastructure to support this market segment. With a foundation of proven clinical results and physician support, products and programs that deliver rapid, guaranteed weight loss coupled with accountability and support, consumers are embracing the unique value offered by Medifast Weight Control Centers.

Ms. Meg Sheetz, President and COO of Medifast, Inc. commented, "Gross margins during the first nine months of 2009 have increased to 76.1% compared to 75.9% a year ago. Operating margins improved significantly during the third quarter to 12.4% compared to 8.8% in the third quarter of last year as we continue to experience the benefits of our vertically integrated business model and see improvement in our advertising effectiveness ratios."

The Company's balance sheet remains strong with stockholders' equity of $48.4 million and working capital of $25.5 million as of September 30, 2009. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $5.3 million to $16.3 million at the end of the quarter as a result of operating cash flows, reduction in inventory on hand due to improved functionality and forecasting in our ERP system, and a decrease in capital expenditures.

Colonel Brad MacDonald, USMC (Ret.), chairman of the Board of Directors of Medifast, Inc. commented, "The Board of Directors of Medifast is very pleased with the performance of our executive team and the Medifast organization for their execution of the 2009 business plan in a very tough economic environment. The Company eclipsed a milestone by posting its 40th consecutive quarter of profitability. We will continue in our goal of getting America healthy."

Mr. McDevitt concluded, "I would like to extend my thanks to our partners, health coaches and franchisees. Our multi-channel distribution model is designed to provide the best customer support systems and we appreciate their partnership in helping to meet our customers' needs for their continued success in sustainable weight loss and improved health. "

Third Quarter 2009 Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call and web cast to discuss the results on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Interested parties can access the call by dialing (877) 407-0782 or (201) 689-8567, or can listen via a live Internet web cast, which can be found at www.choosemedifast.com in the section marked "Investor Relations." A replay of the call is available via web cast at www.choosemedifast.com until January 29, 2010 or by playback at (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 through November 15, 2009. Please use account #286 and conference #335591 for the replay.

About Medifast:
Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven, portion-controlled weight-loss program. Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 doctors and used by over one million customers since 1980. It is committed to enriching lives by providing innovative choices for lasting health. Medifast programs have been proven effective through studies by major university teaching hospitals. The company sells its products and programs via four unique distribution channels: 1) the web and national call centers, 2) the Take Shape For Life personal coaching division, 3) medically supervised Medifast Weight Control Centers, and 4) a national network of physicians. Medifast was founded in 1980 and is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. For more information, log onto http://www.choosemedifast.com. MED-F

Safe Harbor Statement
Please Note: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases or terminology such as "intend" or other similar words or the negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Medifast's objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are also considered forward-looking statements. Medifast believes this release should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and cautions its readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to certain events, risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Some of these factors include, among others, Medifast's inability to attract and retain independent Associates and Members, stability in the pricing of print, TV and Direct Mail marketing initiatives affecting the cost to acquire customers, increases in competition, litigation, regulatory changes, and its planned growth into new domestic and international markets and new channels of distribution. Although Medifast's believes that the expectations, statements, and assumptions reflected in these forward- looking statements are reasonable, it cautions readers to always consider all of the risk factors and any other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each forward-looking statement in this release, as well as those set forth in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and other filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its current reports on Form 8-K. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release.

                           MEDIFAST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)


                                        September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008

      ASSETS
        Current assets:
          Cash and cash equivalents          $16,347,000         $1,841,000
          Accounts receivable-net of
           allowance for doubtful
           of $100,000                           697,000            448,000
          Inventory                           10,759,000         13,856,000
          Investment securities                1,476,000          1,099,000
          Deferred compensation                  629,000            531,000
          Prepaid expenses and other
           current assets                      2,142,000          2,034,000
          Prepaid income tax                   1,293,000          1,131,000
          Note receivable - current               93,000            180,000
          Deferred tax asset                     100,000            100,000
                                                 -------            -------
            Total Current Assets              33,536,000         21,220,000

          Property, plant and equipment -
           net                                22,305,000         21,709,000
          Trademarks and intangibles -
           net                                 4,277,000          5,547,000
          Deferred tax asset, net of
           current portion                     1,461,000          1,131,000
          Note receivable, net of current
           portion                               143,000          1,080,000
          Other assets                           365,000            350,000
                                                 -------            -------

            TOTAL ASSETS                     $62,087,000        $51,037,000
                                             ===========        ===========

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        Current liabilities
          Accounts payable and accrued
           expenses                           $7,213,000         $5,130,000
          Line of credit                               -          3,164,000
          Current maturities of long-term
           debt                                  796,000            257,000
                                                 -------            -------
            Total Current liabilities          8,009,000          8,551,000

          Long-term debt, net of current
           liabilities                         5,643,000          4,313,000
                                               ---------          ---------
            Total liabilities                 13,652,000         12,864,000
                                              ----------         ----------
        Stockholders' equity:

          Common stock; par value
           $.001 per share; 20,000,000
           authorized; 15,383,941 and
           14,585,960 shares issued and
           outstanding, respectively              15,000             15,000
            Additional paid-in capital        35,178,000         30,787,000
            Accumulated other comprehensive
             (loss)                              113,000           (389,000)
            Retained earnings                 24,171,000         15,253,000
                                              ----------         ----------
                                              59,477,000         45,666,000
            Less:  cost of 367,838 and
             272,192 shares of common
             stock in treasury,
             respectively                     (3,320,000)        (1,956,000)
            Less: unearned stock
             compensation                     (7,722,000)        (5,537,000)
                                              ----------         ----------
                        Total Stockholders'
                         Equity               48,435,000         38,173,000
                                              ----------         ----------

                          TOTAL LIABILITIES
                           AND STOCKHOLDERS'
                           EQUITY            $62,087,000        $51,037,000
                                             ===========        ===========

                         MEDIFAST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)

                       Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                          September 30,              September 30,
                       2009         2008          2009         2008


    Revenue         $45,006,000  $27,281,000  $119,398,000  $79,987,000
    Cost of sales    10,771,000    6,522,000    28,576,000   19,299,000
                     ----------    ---------    ----------   ----------
    Gross Profit     34,235,000   20,759,000    90,822,000   60,688,000

    Selling,
     general, and
     administration  28,672,000   18,363,000    76,456,000   53,820,000

                      ---------    ---------    ----------    ---------
    Income from
     operations       5,563,000    2,396,000    14,366,000    6,868,000

    Other income/
     (expense)
         Interest
          (expense)     (40,000)     (50,000)     (114,000)    (159,000)
         Interest
          income         38,000            -       111,000            -
         Other income/
          (expense)     (15,000)       5,000       (82,000)      (1,000)
                        -------        -----       -------       ------
                        (17,000)     (45,000)      (85,000)    (160,000)

    Income before
     provision for
     income taxes     5,546,000    2,351,000    14,281,000    6,708,000
    Provision for
     income tax
     (expense)       (2,112,000)    (802,000)   (5,363,000)  (2,222,000)
                     ----------     --------    ----------   ----------

    Net income       $3,434,000   $1,549,000    $8,918,000   $4,486,000
                     ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========

    Basic earnings
     per share            $0.25        $0.12         $0.66        $0.34
                          =====        =====         =====        =====
    Diluted
     earnings per
     share                $0.23        $0.11         $0.60        $0.32
                          =====        =====         =====        =====

    Weighted average shares
    outstanding -

         Basic       13,584,600   13,179,527    13,429,060   13,139,520
                     ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========
         Diluted     14,918,563   14,178,031    14,763,023   14,138,024
                     ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========

    Contact:   Brendan Connors               Lytham Partners, LLC
               Vice President - Finance      Robert Blum
               ir@choosemedifast.com         Joe Diaz
                                             Joe Dorame
                                             602-889-9700