Medifast Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
BALTIMORE, MD – Medifast (NYSE: MED), the metabolic health and wellness company known for its science-backed, coach-guided lifestyle system, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026
- Revenue of $76.0 million, with revenue per active earning coach of $5,432
- Independent active earning coaches of 14,000
- Net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.19 per diluted share (“EPS”)
- Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investment Securities of $168.9 million with no debt
“We are encouraged by the continued progress we are seeing as we execute our metabolic health strategy, including a second consecutive quarter of year-over-year coach productivity growth, strong coach leadership advancement, and high field engagement. These are metrics that have historically been leading indicators of future growth. Backed by our differentiated science, coach-led model, and a disciplined approach to managing costs, we believe we are well positioned to drive improved performance through the remainder of 2026 and a return to sustainable, long-term growth in the years ahead,”
said Dan Chard, CEO of Medifast.
First Quarter 2026 Results
First quarter 2026 revenue decreased 34.3% to $76.0 million from $115.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 primarily driven by a decrease in the number of active earning coaches. The total number of active earning coaches decreased 44.9% to 14,000 compared to 25,400 for the first quarter of 2025, primarily driven by continued pressure with client acquisition reflecting broader challenges in the operating environment, including rapid adoption of GLP-1 medications for weight loss. While the company continues its transformation to focus on metabolic health, it expects the number of active earning coaches to continue to decline in 2026. The average revenue per active earning coach was $5,432, compared to $4,556 for the first quarter last year, an increase of 19.2% which was driven by greater alignment of the company’s network of coaches, prioritizing productive coaches and efficient coach network structures.
Gross profit decreased 38.6% to $51.8 million from $84.2 million for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to lower sales volumes. The company’s gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 68.1% compared to 72.8% for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by the loss of leverage on fixed costs.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased 35.6% to $55.1 million compared to $85.5 million for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a $16.2 million decrease in coach compensation on lower volume and fewer active earning coaches, a $5.6 million decrease in company-led marketing related expenses, a one-time $2.2 million gain on the sale of the company’s Maryland Distribution Center building and land previously classified as held for sale, and a $2.0 million decrease in employee compensation resulting from the realignment of the employee base to lower revenue levels. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A decreased 150 basis points year-over-year to 72.4% of revenue, as compared to 73.9% for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to approximately 470 basis points of decreased company-led marketing related expenses and 240 basis points of one-time gain on the sale of the company’s Maryland Distribution Center building and land previously classified as held for sale, partially offset by 620 basis points of loss of leverage on fixed costs due to lower sales volume.
The company’s loss from operations for the period was $3.3 million compared to $1.3 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of revenue, loss from operations was 4.3% for the first quarter of 2026 compared to 1.1% in the prior year comparable period due to the factors described above impacting revenue and SG&A expenses.
Other income decreased 24.3% to $1.4 million from $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 primarily due to unrealized gains on the company’s investment in LifeMD common stock in the prior year period. The company sold its investment in LifeMD during the quarter ended June 30, 2025.
Income tax expense for the period was $0.2 million, an effective rate of negative 9.3%, as compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, an effective rate of 246.8%. Due to the existence of a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets recorded as of December 31, 2025, the Company calculated income tax expense for the current period based on actual results for the quarter. As a result, the Company’s income tax provision for the quarter reflects discrete items, primarily state income taxes. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the increased loss incurred in the March 31, 2026 period and the valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets.
In the first quarter of 2026, the company’s net loss was $2.1 million, or $0.19 per share, based on approximately 11.0 million shares of common stock outstanding compared to a net loss of $0.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, based on approximately 10.9 million shares of common stock outstanding in the prior year period.
Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet
The company’s balance sheet remains strong with cash, cash equivalents and investment securities of $168.9 million and no debt as of March 31, 2026, compared to $167.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and investment securities and no debt at December 31, 2025. Working capital as defined as current assets less current liabilities as of March 31, 2026 was $160.4 million, compared to $158.7 million of working capital at December 31, 2025.
Outlook
The company expects second quarter 2026 revenue to be in the range of $60 million to $80 million and second quarter 2026 loss per share to be in the range of $0.50 to $1.00. The company expects full year 2026 revenue to be in the range of $270 million to $300 million and full year 2026 loss per share to range from $1.55 to $2.75.
View Medifast’s full Q1 report here
About Medifast®:
Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the metabolic health and wellness company known for its science-backed, coach-guided lifestyle system. Designed to help address the challenges of metabolic dysfunction, the company’s holistic approach integrates personalized plans, scientifically developed products and a framework for habit creation — all supported by a dedicated network of independent coaches.
Driven to improve metabolic health through advanced science and comprehensive behavioral support, Medifast has introduced Metabolic Synchronization®, a breakthrough science that reverses metabolic dysfunction through a targeted reset. Research demonstrates the company’s comprehensive system activates strong and targeted fat burn to enhance metabolic health and body composition by reducing visceral fat, preserving lean mass and protecting muscle integrity.
Backed by more than 40 years of clinical heritage, Medifast continues to advance its mission of Lifelong Transformation, Making Healthy Lifestyle Second Nature®. For more information, visit Medifastinc.com.
Source: Medifast
Get more information, facts and figures about Optavia - Medifast, click here for the Optavia - Medifast overview.
Disclaimer: At BFH, we strive to keep all content—articles, press releases, data—as accurate and current as possible at time of publishing. However, treat this content as a guide, not as definitive authority for business decisions. Publishing a press release does not imply Business For Home BV endorses a company or individual, nor guarantees its claims. No warranties or representations, expressed or implied, are made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of information provided on this website. All content is provided “as-is,” without liability for errors or usage. Always fact-check and conduct your own due diligence. BFH publishes press releases for the global Direct Selling / Network Marketing / Home Business community. Laws governing Direct Selling can vary greatly by country; BFH does not warrant that any company or content is in full compliance with various local or country-specific laws; it’s up to the reader to research, verify and comply with all applicable local regulations.