NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Sept. 10, 1999--Standard&Poor's today assigned its single-'B'-minus rating to Weight Watchers International, Inc.'s $250 million senior subordinated notes due 2009. A single-'B'-plus rating was assigned to the company's $292 million bank facilities. A single-'B'-plus corporate credit rating also was assigned to the company. The outlook is positive. The ratings reflect Weight Watchers' weak financial profile pro forma for the company's pending $757 million leveraged acquisition from H.J. Heinz Co. This is partially offset by the company's strong brand name and position as the world's largest provider of commercial weight loss services. The company's weight control program centers around weekly meetings that incorporate group support, as well as education about healthy eating habits,
