WeightWatchers 2004 Annual Report Download - page 18

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products and services but does not contain any admission of guilt nor require us to pay any civil
penalties or damages.
Our overseas operations and franchises are also generally subject to regulations of the applicable
country regarding the offer and sale of franchises, the content of advertising and the promotion of diet
products and programs. Most recently with the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the
United States, we have, like other publicly listed companies, been subject to additional compliance
requirements requiring, among other things, certain new procedures and disclosures in connection with
our internal control over financial reporting.
Future legislation or regulations, including legislation or regulations affecting our marketing and
advertising practices, relations with employees, consumers or franchisees, or our food products, could
have an adverse impact on us.
Employees and Service Providers
As of January 1, 2005, we had approximately 46,000 employees and service providers located in the
United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Australasia. None of our service providers
or employees is represented by a labor union. We consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.
Financial Information by Geographic Area
Information concerning our geographic segments is contained in Note 16 of our Consolidated
Financial Statements, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.
Corporate Information
Corporate information, press releases and our periodic reports (e.g. 10-K’s, 10-Q’s, 8-K’s) and
amendments thereto are available free of charge at www.weightwatchersinternational.com as soon as
reasonably practical after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC (i.e.,
generally the same day as the filing). Moreover, we also make available free of charge at that site the
Section 16 reports filed electronically by our officers, directors and 10% shareholders. Usually these are
publicly accessible no later than the business day following the filing.
Shareholders may request a free copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our
Corporate Governance Guidelines at:
Weight Watchers International
Attn: Corporate Secretary
175 Crossways Park West
Woodbury, NY 11797
(516) 390-1400
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for historical information contained herein, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, includes
‘‘forward-looking statements,’’ within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, in particular, the statements about our
plans, strategies and prospects under the headings ‘‘Business’’ and ‘‘Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.’’ We have used the words ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’
‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend’’ and similar expressions in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated by reference to identify forward-looking
statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current views with respect to
future events and financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in
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