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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as
of the 5th day of December, 2003 (the "Effective Date"), by and between General
Nutrition Centers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and LOUIS
MANCINI (the "Executive").

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth herein and the Executive has agreed to
be so employed.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows:

                  1.       EMPLOYMENT OF EXECUTIVE; DUTIES.

                           1.1      TITLE. During the "Employment Period" (as
defined in SECTION 2 hereof), the Executive shall serve as the President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Executive shall have the normal
duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with such positions. During
the Employment Period, in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, the Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Board").

                           1.2      DUTIES. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall do and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to
fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his positions and shall render such
services on the terms set forth herein. In addition, the Executive shall have
such other executive and managerial powers and duties as may reasonably be
assigned to him by the Board, commensurate with his serving as President and
Chief Executive Officer. Except for sick leave, reasonable vacations, and
excused leaves of absence, the Executive shall, throughout the Employment
Period, devote substantially all his working time, attention, knowledge and
skills faithfully and to the best of his ability, to the duties and
responsibilities of his positions in furtherance of the business affairs and
activities of the Company, and its subsidiaries and affiliates and, except where
the Company provides its written consent otherwise, shall maintain his principal
residence within 75 miles of the principal office of the Company as of the
Effective Date. The Executive shall at all times be subject to, observe and
carry out such rules, regulations, policies, directions, and restrictions as the
Board may from time to time reasonably establish for senior executive officers
of the Company.

                  2.       TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

                           2.1      EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. Subject to (i) the
consummation of the transaction pursuant to that certain Purchase Agreement
dated October 16, 2003 by and among Royal Numico N.V., Numico USA, Inc. and
Apollo GNC Holding, Inc. (the "Transaction"), and (ii) execution by the
Executive of that certain Stockholders' Agreement by and among General Nutrition
Centers Holding Company ("Holdings") and its Stockholders dated December 5, 2003
and (iii) the investment by Executive of $600,000 in common stock ("Common
Stock") of Holdings on the closing of the Transaction, the employment of the
Executive hereunder shall

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continue until the later to occur of (i) December 31, 2005, or (ii) the
applicable expiration date of any extension of this Agreement as provided in
SECTION 2.2 hereof, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement (the "Employment Period").

                           2.2      EXTENSION. On October 31, 2004, and on each
October 31st thereafter, the Employment Period shall be extended for an
additional one-year period unless the Company or the Executive notifies the
other in writing at least 30 days prior to such date of its or his election, in
its or his sole discretion, not to extend the Employment Period.

                  3.       COMPENSATION AND GENERAL BENEFITS.

                           3.1      BASE SALARY.

                                    (a)      During the Employment Period, the
Company agrees to pay to the Executive an annual base salary in an amount equal
to Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($525,000) (such base salary, as
adjusted from time to time pursuant to SECTION 3.1(B), is referred to herein as
the "Base Salary"). The Executive's Base Salary, less amounts required to be
withheld under applicable law, shall be payable in equal installments in
accordance with the practice of the Company in effect from time to time for the
payment of salaries to officers of the Company, but in no event less frequently
than monthly.

                                    (b)      The Board or the Compensation
Committee established by the Board (the "Compensation Committee") shall review
the Executive's performance on an annual basis and, based on such review, may
increase Executive's Base Salary, as it, acting in its sole discretion, shall
determine to be reasonable and appropriate.

                           3.2      BONUS. With respect to the 2004 calendar
year and with respect to each calendar year that commences during the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be eligible to receive from the Company an annual
performance bonus (the "Annual Bonus") based upon the Company's attainment of
annual goals established by the Board or the Compensation Committee, which are
based on the Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA") and debt amortization goals. Executive's target Annual
Bonus shall be fifty percent (50%) of Executive's Base Salary with a maximum of
one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of Executive's Base Salary if the Company
exceeds the EBITDA and debt amortization goals based on levels to be determined
by the Board or the Compensation Committee for the applicable year. Any Annual
Bonus earned shall be payable in full within forty-five (45) days following the
determination of the amount thereof and in accordance with the Company's normal
payroll practices and procedures. Any Annual Bonus payable under this Section
3.2 shall not be payable unless the Executive is employed by the Company on the
last day of the period to which such Annual Bonus relates.

                           3.3      EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, in
addition to any amounts to which the Executive may be entitled pursuant to the
other provisions of this SECTION 3.3 or elsewhere herein, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement from the Company for all reasonable and
necessary expenses incurred by him in performing his duties hereunder on behalf
of the Company, subject to, and consistent with, the Company's policies for
expense payment and reimbursement, in effect from time to time.

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                           3.4      FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment
Period, in addition to any amounts to which the Executive may be entitled
pursuant to the other provisions of this SECTION 3 or elsewhere herein, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and to receive benefits under,
any benefit plans, arrangements or policies made available by the Company to its
executives and key management employees generally, subject to and on a basis
consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of each such
plan, arrangement or policy. The award of any additional fringe benefits under
this SECTION 3.4 shall be separate and distinct from the right of the Executive
to receive the Annual Bonus payment from the Company described in SECTION 3.2.

                           3.5      STOCK OPTIONS. Pursuant to the General
Nutrition Centers Holding Company 2003 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
and subject to SECTION 4 below and the approval of the Administrator of the Plan
(as defined therein), Executive shall be granted an initial option to purchase a
total of 375,000 shares of Common Stock, with a per share exercise price equal
to $6 per share. Such option shall become vested and exercisable in four (4)
equal annual installments on each anniversary of the Effective Date. The
Administrator may grant additional options to purchase Common Stock to the
Executive, pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Except as otherwise provided, the
option shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the form of
option agreement approved by the Administrator. In the event of a Change of
Control (as defined in SECTION 4.3(H) below), all of Executive's stock options
granted pursuant to the Plan shall vest in full and become immediately
exercisable, but in no event shall such options be exercisable following their
expiration date.

                  4.       TERMINATION.

                           4.1      GENERAL. The employment of the Executive
hereunder (and the Employment Period) shall terminate as provided in SECTION 2,
unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this SECTION 4.

                           4.2      DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE.

                                    (a)      The employment of the Executive
hereunder (and the Employment Period) shall terminate upon (i) the death of the
Executive, and (ii) at the option of the Company, upon not less than fifteen
(15) days' prior written notice to the Executive or his personal representative
or guardian, if the Executive suffers a "Total Disability" (as defined in
SECTION 4.2(B) below). Upon termination for death or Total Disability, the
Company shall pay to the Executive, guardian or personal representative, as the
case may be (reduced by any benefits paid or payable to the Executive, his
beneficiaries or estate under any Company-sponsored disability benefit plan;
provided, however, that no such reduction shall be made for any benefits paid
upon the Executive's death under the Company's life insurance policy), (i) the
Executive's current Base Salary for the remainder of the Employment Period
(without giving effect to any further extensions pursuant to SECTION 2.2 hereof)
and (ii) a prorated share of the Annual Bonus pursuant to SECTION 3.2 hereof
(based on the period of actual employment) that the Executive would have been
entitled to had he worked the full year during which the termination occurred,
provided that bonus targets are met for the year of such termination. The bonus
shall be payable in full within forty-five (45) days following the determination
of the amount thereof and in accordance with the Company's normal payroll
practices and procedures.

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                                    (b)      For purposes of this Agreement,
"Total Disability" shall mean (i) if the Executive is subject to a legal decree
of incompetency (the date of such decree being deemed the date on which such
disability occurred), (ii) the written determination by a physician selected by
the Company that, because of a medically determinable disease, injury or other
physical or mental disability, the Executive is unable substantially to perform,
with or without reasonable accommodation, the material duties of the Executive
required hereby, and that such disability has lasted for one hundred twenty days
(120) days during the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period or is, as
of the date of determination, reasonably expected to last six (6) months or
longer after the date of determination, in each case based upon medically
available reliable information, or (iii) Executive's qualifying for benefits
under the Company's long-term disability coverage, if any.

                                    (c)      In conjunction with determining
mental and/or physical disability for purposes of this Agreement, the Executive
hereby consents to (i) any examinations that the Board determines are relevant
to a determination of whether he is mentally and/or physically disabled, or
required by the Company physician, (ii) furnish such medical information as may
be reasonably requested, and (iii) waive any applicable physician patient
privilege that may arise because of such examination.

                                    (d)      With respect to outstanding stock
options and other equity based awards held by the Executive as of the date of
termination, (i) any such options that are not vested or exercisable as of such
date of termination shall immediately expire and any such equity based awards
that are not vested as of such date of termination shall immediately be
forfeited, and (ii) any such options that are vested and exercisable as of such
date of termination shall expire immediately following the expiration of the one
hundred eighty (180) day period following such date of termination.

                                    (e)      With respect to any shares of
Common Stock held by the Executive that are vested as of the date of termination
(or issued pursuant to the exercise of options following such date of
termination pursuant to SECTION 4.2(d) hereof), for the two hundred seventy
(270) day period following such date of termination, the Company (or its
designee) shall have the right to purchase from the Executive or his
beneficiary, as applicable, and the Executive or his beneficiary hereby agrees
to sell any or all such shares to the Company (or the Company's designee) for an
amount equal to the product of (x) the per share current fair market value of a
share of Common Stock (as determined by the Board in good faith) and (y) the
number of shares so purchased. Executive (or his beneficiary) shall have the
right to request, in writing, that the Board obtain a fairness opinion from a
nationally recognized accounting firm or investment bank chosen by the Company,
to review the Board's fair market value determination of the Common Stock. If
such fairness opinion validates the fair market determination of the Board, the
gross purchase price paid to the Executive for such shares under this SECTION
4.2(E), shall be reduced by 10% excluding such other tax or withholding as may
be required by applicable law.

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                           4.3      TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT CAUSE OR
RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON.

                                    (a)      The Company may terminate
Executive's employment without "Cause" (as defined below), and thereby terminate
Executive's employment (and the Employment Period) under this Agreement at any
time upon not less than thirty (30) days' prior written notice.

                                    (b)      The Executive may resign, and
thereby terminate his employment (and the Employment Period), at any time for
"Good Reason" (as defined below), upon not less than thirty (30) days' prior
written notice to the Company specifying in reasonable detail the reason
therefor; provided, however, that the Company shall have a reasonable
opportunity to cure any such "Good Reason " (to the extent possible) within
thirty (30) days after the Company's receipt of such notice.

                                    (c)      In the event the Executive's
employment is terminated (i) by the Company without "Cause," or (ii) by the
Executive for "Good Reason" then, subject to SECTION 4.3(d) hereof, the
following provisions shall apply:

                                             (i)       The Company shall
continue to pay the Executive the Base Salary to which the Executive would have
been entitled pursuant to SECTION 3.1 hereof (at the Base Salary rate during the
year of termination) had the Executive remained in the employ of the Company
until the expiration of the Employment Period without giving effect to any
further extensions pursuant to SECTION 2.2 hereof, with all such amounts payable
in accordance with the Company's payroll system in the same manner and at the
same time as though the Executive remained employed by the Company.

                                             (ii)      If such termination
occurs upon or within six (6) months following a Change of Control (as defined
below), the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the Base Salary to which
the Executive would have been entitled pursuant to SECTION 3.1 hereof (at the
Base Salary rate during the year of termination) for a two (2) year period
following such date of termination, with all such amounts payable in accordance
with the Company's payroll system in the same manner and at the same time as
though the Executive remained employed by the Company, subject to SECTION
4.3(c)(vii) hereof.

                                             (iii)     The Company shall pay to
the Executive a prorated share of the Annual Bonus pursuant to SECTION 3.2
hereof (based on the period of actual employment) that the Executive would have
been entitled to had he worked the full year during which the termination
occurred, provided that bonus targets are met for the year of such termination.
The bonus shall be payable in full within forty-five (45) days following the
determination of the amount thereof and in accordance with the Company's normal
payroll practices and procedures, subject to SECTION 4.3(c)(vii) hereof.

                                             (iv)      Unless prohibited by law
or, with respect to any insured benefit, the terms of the applicable insurance
contract, the Executive shall continue to participate in, and be covered under,
the Company's group life, disability, sickness, accident and health insurance
programs on the same basis as other executives of the Company (A) through

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the expiration of the Employment Period, or, (B) in the event that Executive's
Base Salary is being paid pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.3(c), for
the two (2) year period the Executive is entitled to such payment, without
giving effect to any further extensions pursuant to SECTION 2.2 hereof.

                                             (v)       With respect to
outstanding options and other equity based awards held by the Executive as of
the date of termination, (x) any such options that are not vested or exercisable
as of such date of termination shall immediately expire and any such equity
based awards that are not vested as of such date of termination shall
immediately be forfeited, and (y) any such options that are vested and
exercisable as of such date of termination shall expire immediately following
the expiration of the ninety (90)-day period following such date of termination.

                                             (vi)      With respect to any
shares of Common Stock held by the Executive that are vested as of the date of
termination (or issued pursuant to the exercise of options following such date
of termination pursuant to SECTION 4.3(c)(v) hereof), for the one hundred eighty
(180)-day period following such date of termination, the Company (or its
designee) shall have the right to purchase from the Executive and the Executive
hereby agrees to sell any or all such shares to the Company (or the Company's
designee) for an amount equal to the product of (x) the per share current fair
market value of a share of Common Stock (as determined by the Board in good
faith) and (y) the number of shares so purchased. Executive shall have the right
to request, in writing, that the Board obtain a fairness opinion from a
nationally recognized accounting firm or investment bank chosen by the Company,
to review the Board's fair market value determination of the Common Stock. If
such fairness opinion validates the fair market determination of the Board, the
gross purchase price paid to the Executive for such shares under this SECTION
4.3(c)(vi), shall be reduced by 10% excluding such other tax or withholding as
may be required by applicable law.

                                             (vii)     With respect to the
amounts payable to the Executive under clauses (ii) and (iii) of this SECTION
4.3 following a Change of Control, the Executive may elect to receive the
present value of such amounts in a lump sum based on a present value discount
rate equal to six percent (6%) per year. Such election must be made in writing
by the Executive within fifteen (15) days of his date of termination.

                                    (d)      The Executive agrees to release the
Company and its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, stockholders,
employees, agents, representatives, and successors from and against any and all
claims that the Executive may have against any such person relating to the
Executive's employment by the Company and the termination thereof, such release
to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

                                    (e)      Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, if it shall be determined that any payment, vesting,
distribution, or transfer by the Company or any successor, or any Affiliate of
the foregoing or by any other person or that any other event occurring with
respect to the Executive and the Company for the Executive's benefit, whether
paid or payable or distributed or distributable under the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise (including under any employee benefit plan) (a "Payment")
would be subject to or result in the imposition of the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code

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of 1986, as amended (and any regulations issued thereunder, any successor
provision, and any similar provision of state or local income tax law)
(collectively, the "Excise Tax"), then the amount of the Payment shall be
reduced to the highest amount that may be paid by the Company or other entity
without subjecting such Payment to the Excise Tax (the "Payment Reduction"). The
Executive shall have the right, in his sole discretion, to designate those
payments or benefits that shall be reduced or eliminated under the Payment
Reduction to avoid the imposition of the Excise Tax. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Payment Reduction shall not apply if the Executive would, on a
net after-tax basis, receive less compensation than if the Payment were not so
reduced.

                                             (i)       Subject to the provisions
of SECTION 4.3(e)(ii), all determinations required to be made under this SECTION
4.3(e), including whether and when a Payment is subject to Section 4999 and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination and in determining
an appropriate Payment Reduction, shall be made by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
or any other nationally recognized accounting firm that shall be the Company's
outside auditors at the time of such determination (the "Accounting Firm"),
which Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the
Executive and the Company within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of
notice from the Company or the Executive that there will be a Payment that the
person giving notice believes may be subject to the Excise Tax. All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Company. Any determination
by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive in
determining whether a Payment Reduction is required and the amount thereof
(subject to SECTIONS 4.3(e)(ii) and (iii)), in the absence of material
mathematical or legal error.

                                             (ii)      As a result of
uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 that may exist at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm, it may be possible that in making
the calculations required to be made hereunder, the Accounting Firm shall
determine that a Payment Reduction need not be made that properly should be made
(an "Overpayment") or that a Payment Reduction not properly needed to be made
should be made (an "Underpayment"). If, within seventy-five (75) days after the
Accounting Firm's initial determination under the preceding clause (i), the
Accounting Firm shall determine that an Overpayment was made, any such
Overpayment shall be treated for all purposes, to the extent practicable and
subject to applicable law, as a loan to the Executive with interest at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 1274(d) of the Code and shall be
repaid by the Executive to the Company within thirty-five (35) days after the
Executive receives notice of the Accounting Firm's determination; provided,
however, that the amount to be repaid by the Executive to the Company either as
a loan or otherwise as a lump sum payment (where a loan is not practicable or
permitted by law) shall be reduced to the extent that any portion of the
Overpayment to be repaid will not be offset by a corresponding reduction in tax
by reason of such repayment of the Overpayment. If the Accounting Firm shall
determine that an Underpayment was made, any such Underpayment shall be due and
payable by the Company to the Executive within thirty-five (35) days after the
Company receives notice of the Accounting Firm's determination.

                                             (iii)     The Executive shall give
written notice to the Company of any claim by the IRS that, if successful, would
require the payment by the Executive of an Excise Tax, such notice to be
provided within fifteen (15) days after the

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Executive shall have received written notice of such claim. The Executive shall
cooperate with the Company in determining whether to contest or pay such claim
and shall not pay such claim without the written consent of the Company, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

                                             (iv)      This SECTION 4.3(e) shall
remain in full force and effect following the termination of the Executive's
employment for any reason until the expiration of the statute of limitations on
the assessment of taxes applicable to the Executive for all periods in which the
Executive may incur a liability for taxes (including Excise Taxes), interest or
penalties arising out of the operation of this Agreement.

                                    (f)      For purposes of this Agreement, the
Executive would be entitled to terminate his employment for "Good Reason" if
without the Executive's prior written consent:

                                             (i)       The Company fails to
comply with any material obligation imposed by this Agreement;

                                             (ii)      The Company assigns to
the Executive duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with
the Executive's positions, duties, responsibilities, titles and offices in
effect on the Effective Date;

                                             (iii)     The Company effects a
reduction in the Executive's Base Salary; or

                                             (iv)      The Company requires the
Executive to be based (excluding regular travel responsibilities) at any office
or location more than 75 miles from the principal office of the Company on the
Effective Date.

                                    (g)      For purposes of this Agreement,
"Cause" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

                                             (i)       a material failure by the
Executive to comply with any material obligation imposed by this Agreement
(including, without limitation, any violation of SECTIONS 5.1 or 5.2 hereof);

                                             (ii)      the Executive's being
convicted of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being indicted for
any felony;

                                             (iii)     theft, embezzlement, or
fraud by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties
hereunder;

                                             (iv)      the Executive's engaging
in any activity that gives rise to a material conflict of interest with the
Company that is not be cured following ten (10) days' written notice and a
demand to cure such conflict; or

                                             (v)       the misappropriation by
the Executive of any material business opportunity of the Company.

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                                    (h)      For purposes of this Agreement,
"Change of Control" shall be defined as set forth in Exhibit A, which is
attached hereto.

                           4.4      TERMINATION FOR CAUSE AND VOLUNTARY
RESIGNATION OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON.

                                    (a)      The Company may, upon action of the
Board, terminate the employment of the Executive (and the Employment Period) at
any time for "Cause" and the Executive may voluntarily resign and thereby
terminate his employment (and the Employment Period) under this Agreement at any
time upon not less than thirty (30) days' prior written notice. Upon termination
by the Company for Cause or resignation by the Executive other than for Good
Reason, the following provisions shall apply:

                                    (b)      The Executive shall be entitled to
receive all amounts of earned but unpaid Base Salary and benefits accrued
through the date of such termination. Except as provided below, all other rights
of the Executive (and all obligations of the Company) hereunder shall terminate
as of the date of such termination.

                                    (c)      With respect to outstanding options
and other equity based awards held by the Executive as of the date of
termination, (i) any such options that are not vested or exercisable as of such
date of termination shall immediately expire and any such equity based awards
that are not vested as of such date of termination shall immediately be
forfeited, and (ii) any such options that are vested and exercisable as of such
date of termination shall expire immediately following the expiration of the
ninety (90)-day period following such date of termination.

                                    (d)      With respect to any shares of
Common Stock held by the Executive that are vested as of the date of termination
(or issued pursuant to the exercise of options following such date of
termination pursuant to SECTION 4.4(c) hereof), for the one hundred eighty
(180)-day period following such date of termination, the Company (or its
designee) shall have the right to purchase from the Executive and the Executive
hereby agrees to sell any or all such shares to the Company (or the Company's
designee) for an amount equal to the product of (x) the per share current fair
market value of a share of Common Stock (as determined by the Board in good
faith) and (y) the number of shares so purchased. Executive shall have the right
to request, in writing, that the Board obtain a fairness opinion from a
nationally recognized accounting firm or investment bank chosen by the Company,
to review the Board's fair market value determination of the Common Stock. If
such fairness opinion validates the fair market determination of the Board, the
gross purchase price paid to the Executive for such shares under this SECTION
4.4(d), shall be reduced by 10% excluding such other tax or withholding as may
be required by applicable law.

                                    (e)      Before the Company may terminate
the Executive for Cause pursuant to Section 4.4(a) above, the Board shall
deliver to the Executive a written notice of the Company's intent to terminate
the Executive for Cause, and the Executive shall have been given a reasonable
opportunity to cure any such acts or omissions (which are susceptible of cure as
reasonably determined by the Board) within thirty (30) days after the
Executive's receipt of such notice.

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                  5.       CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION.

                           5.1      CONFIDENTIALITY; INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

                                    (a)      The Executive recognizes that the
Company's business interests require a confidential relationship between the
Company and the Executive and the fullest practical protection and confidential
treatment of all "Trade Secrets or Confidential or Proprietary Information" (as
defined in SECTION 5.3 hereof). Accordingly, the Executive agrees that, except
as required by law or court order, the Executive will keep confidential and will
not disclose to anyone (other than the Company or any Persons designated by the
Company), or publish, utter, exploit, make use of (or aid others in publishing,
uttering, exploiting or using), or otherwise "Misappropriate" (as defined in
SECTION 5.3 hereof) any Trade Secrets or Confidential or Proprietary Information
at any time. The Executive's obligations hereunder shall continue during the
Employment Period and thereafter for so long as such Trade Secrets or
Confidential or Proprietary Information remain Trade Secrets or Confidential or
Proprietary Information.

                                    (b)      The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that:

                                             (i)       the Executive occupies a
unique position within the Company, and he is and will be intimately involved in
the development and/or implementation of Trade Secrets or Confidential or
Proprietary Information;

                                             (ii)      in the event the
Executive breaches SECTION 5.1 hereof with respect to any Trade Secrets or
Confidential or Proprietary Information, such breach shall be deemed to be a
Misappropriation of such Trade Secrets or Confidential or Proprietary
Information; and

                                             (iii)     any Misappropriation of
Trade Secrets or Confidential or Proprietary Information will result in
immediate and irreparable harm to the Company.

                                    (c)      The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that all ideas, inventions, marketing, sales and business plans,
formulae, designs, pricing, studies, programs, reviews and related materials,
strategies and products, whether domestic or foreign, developed by him during
the Employment Period, including, without limitation, any process, operation,
technique, product, improvement or development which may be patentable or
copyrightable, are and will be the property of the Company, and that he will do,
at the Company's request and cost, whatever is reasonably necessary to secure
the rights thereto by patent, copyright or otherwise to the Company.

                                    (d)      Upon termination or expiration of
the Employment Period and at any other time upon request, the Executive further
agrees to surrender to the Company all documents, writings, notes, business,
marketing or strategic plans, financial information, customer, distributor and
supplier lists, manuals, illustrations, models, and other such materials
(collectively, "Company Documents") produced by the Executive or coming into his
possession by or through employment with the Company during the Employment
Period, within the scope of such employment, and agrees that all Company
Documents are at all times the company's

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property, provided that the Executive may maintain a copy of any Company
Documents that are not Trade Secrets or Confidential or Proprietary Information.

                                    (e)      During the Employment Period, the
Executive represents and agrees that he will not use or disclose any
confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of others, including
but not limited to former employers, and that he will not bring onto the
premises of the Company such confidential or proprietary information or trade
secrets of such others, unless consented to in writing by said others, and then
only with the prior written authorization of the Company.

                           5.2      NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION. During
the Employment Period and until the end of the Restricted Period (as defined
below), the Executive agrees that the Executive will not, directly or
indirectly, on the Executive's own behalf or as a partner, owner, officer,
director, stockholder, member, employee, agent or consultant of any other Person
within the United States of America or in any other country or territory in
which the businesses of the Company are conducted:

                                    (a)      own, manage, operate, control, be
employed by, provide services as a consultant to, or participate in the
ownership, management, operation, or control of, any enterprise that engages in,
owns or operates businesses that market, sell, distribute, manufacture or
otherwise are involved in the nutritional supplements industry.

                                    (b)      solicit, hire, or otherwise attempt
to establish for any Person, any employment, agency, consulting or other
business relationship with any Person who is or was an employee of the Company
or any of its Affiliates.

                                    (c)      The parties hereto acknowledge and
agree that, notwithstanding anything in SECTION 5.2(a) hereof, (x) the Executive
may own or hold, solely as passive investments, securities of Persons engaged in
any business that would otherwise be included in SECTION 5.2(a) as long as with
respect to each such investment, the securities held by the Executive do not
exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding securities of such Person and, such
securities are publicly traded and registered under Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); and (y) the Executive may
serve on the board of directors (or other comparable position) or as an officer
of any entity at the request of the Board; provided, however, that in the case
of investments otherwise permitted under clause (x) above, the Executive shall
not be permitted to, directly or indirectly, participate in, or attempt to
influence, the management, direction or policies of (other than through the
exercise of any voting rights held by the Executive in connection with such
securities), or lend his name to, any such Person.

                                    (d)      The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that, for purposes of this SECTION 5.2, an act by his spouse, ancestor,
lineal descendant, lineal descendant's spouse, sibling, or other member of his
immediate family will be treated as an indirect act by the Executive.

                           5.3      DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement,
the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                                       11
<PAGE>

                                    (a)      An "Affiliate" of any Person shall
mean any other Person, whether now or hereafter existing, directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with,
such specified Person. For purposes hereof, "control" or any other form thereof,
when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management
and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

                                    (b)      "Misappropriate", or any form
thereof, means:

                                             (i)       the acquisition of any
Trade Secret or Confidential or Proprietary Information by a Person who knows or
has reason to know that the Trade Secret or Confidential or Proprietary
Information was acquired by theft, bribery, misrepresentation, breach or
inducement of a breach of a duty to maintain secrecy, or espionage through
electronic or other means (each, an "Improper Means"); or

                                              (ii)      the disclosure or use of
any Trade Secret or Confidential or Proprietary Information without the express
consent of the Company by a Person who (x) used Improper Means to acquire
knowledge of the Trade Secret or Confidential or Proprietary Information; or (y)
at the time of disclosure or use, knew or had reason to know that his or her
knowledge of the Trade Secret or Confidential or Proprietary Information was (i)
derived from or through a Person who had utilized Improper Means to acquire it,
(ii) acquired under circumstances giving rise to a duty to maintain its secrecy
or limit its use, or (iii) derived from or through a Person who owed a duty to
the Company to maintain its secrecy or limit its use; or (z) before a material
change of his or her position, knew or had reason to know that it was a Trade
Secret or Confidential or Proprietary Information and that knowledge of it had
been acquired by accident or mistake.

                                    (c)      "Person" means any individual,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association,
business trust, joint-stock company, estate, trust, unincorporated organization,
or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other
legal or commercial entity.

                                    (d)      "Restricted Period" shall mean the
longer of (i) the first anniversary of the date of termination of employment or
(ii) the period during which the Executive is receiving payments from the
Company pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

                                    (e)      "Trade Secrets or Confidential or
Proprietary Information" shall mean:

                                             (i)       any and all information,
formulae, patterns, compilations, programs, devices, methods, techniques,
processes, know how, plans (marketing, business, strategic or otherwise),
arrangements, pricing and other data (collectively, "Information") that (a)
derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being
generally known to the public or to other Persons who can obtain economic value
from its disclosure or use, and (b) is the subject of efforts by the Company
that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy; or

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                             (ii)      any and all other
Information (i) unique to the Company which has a significant business purpose
and is not known or generally available from sources outside of such Persons or
typical of industry practice, or (ii) the disclosure of which would have a
material adverse effect on the business of the Company.

                           5.4      REMEDIES. The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that if the Executive breaches any of the provisions of SECTION 5 hereof,
the Company may suffer immediate and irreparable harm for which monetary damages
alone will not be a sufficient remedy, and that, in addition to all other
remedies that the Company may have, the Company shall be entitled to seek
injunctive relief, specific performance or any other form of equitable relief to
remedy a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, any actual or threatened Misappropriation) by the Executive and to
enforce the provisions of this Agreement. The Executive and the Company each
agrees (i) to submit to the jurisdiction of any competent court where the
Company may choose to seek equitable relief, (ii) to waive any and all defenses
the Executive may have on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction of such court; and
(iii) that neither party shall be required to post any bond, undertaking, or
other financial deposit or guarantee in seeking or obtaining such equitable
relief. The existence of this right shall not preclude or otherwise limit the
applicability or exercise of any other rights and remedies which the Company may
have at law or in equity.

                           5.5      INTERPRETATION; SEVERABILITY.

                                    (a)      The Executive has carefully
considered the possible effects on the Executive of the covenants not to
compete, the confidentiality provisions, and the other obligations contained in
this Agreement, and the Executive recognizes that the Company has made every
effort to limit the restrictions placed upon the Executive to those that are
reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests.

                                    (b)      The Executive acknowledges and
agrees that the restrictive covenants set forth in this Agreement are reasonable
and necessary in order to protect the Company's valid business interests. It is
the intention of the parties hereto that the covenants, provisions and
agreements contained herein shall be enforceable to the fullest extent allowed
by law. If any covenant, provision, or agreement contained herein is found by a
court having jurisdiction to be unreasonable in duration, scope or character of
restrictions, or otherwise to be unenforceable, such covenant, provision or
agreement shall not be rendered unenforceable thereby, but rather the duration,
scope or character of restrictions of such covenant, provision or agreement
shall be deemed reduced or modified with retroactive effect to render such
covenant, provision or agreement reasonable or otherwise enforceable (as the
case may be), and such covenant, provision or agreement shall be enforced as
modified. If the court having jurisdiction will not review the covenant,
provision or agreement, the parties hereto shall mutually agree to a revision
having an effect as close as permitted by applicable law to the provision
declared unenforceable. The parties hereto agree that if a court having
jurisdiction determines, despite the express intent of the parties hereto, that
any portion of the covenants, provisions or agreements contained herein are not
enforceable, the remaining covenants, provisions and agreements herein shall be
valid and enforceable. Moreover, to the extent that any provision is declared
unenforceable, the Company shall have any and all rights under applicable
statutes or common

                                       13
<PAGE>

law to enforce its rights with respect to any and all Trade Secrets or
Confidential or Proprietary Information or unfair competition by the Executive.

                  6.       MISCELLANEOUS.

                           6.1      ARBITRATION. SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS UNDER
SECTION 5.4 TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF AS SPECIFIED IN THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO ARISING UNDER OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES, THE NATURE OF THE EXECUTIVE'S TERMINATION OR
THE CALCULATION OF ANY BONUS OR OTHER AMOUNT OR BENEFIT DUE) SHALL BE RESOLVED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ANY ARBITRATOR OR ARBITRATORS
SELECTED OR APPOINTED TO HEAR THE ARBITRATION SHALL BE EITHER A RETIRED JUDGE OF
THE CIRCUIT OR APPELLATE COURTS OF NEW YORK OR A PRACTICING ATTORNEY WITH AT
LEAST FIFTEEN (15) YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS REASONABLY RELATED TO THE
ISSUE OR ISSUES IN DISPUTE. ANY RESULTING HEARING SHALL BE HELD IN THE NEW YORK
AREA. THE RESOLUTION OF ANY DISPUTE ACHIEVED THROUGH SUCH ARBITRATION SHALL BE
BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. COSTS AND FEES
INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ARBITRATION SHALL BE BORNE BY THE PARTIES AS
DETERMINED BY THE ARBITRATION.

                           6.2      ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVER. This Agreement
contains the entire agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect
to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all prior understandings or
agreements, whether written or oral. No modification or addition hereto or
waiver or cancellation of any provision hereof shall be valid except by a
writing signed by the party to be charged therewith. No delay on the part of any
party to this Agreement in exercising any right or privilege provided hereunder
or by law shall impair, prejudice or constitute a waiver of such right or
privilege.

                           6.3      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York, without
regard to principles of conflict of laws.

                           6.4      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; BINDING AGREEMENT.
The rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, personal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement is a personal
contract, and, except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and interests
of the Executive herein may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or
hypothecated by any party without the prior written consent of the others. As
used herein, the term "successor" as it relates to the Company, shall include,
but not be limited to, any successor by way of merger, consolidation, or sale of
all or substantially all of such Person's assets or equity interests.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                           6.5      REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL. Each of the
parties hereto acknowledges that (i) it or he has read this Agreement in its
entirety and understands all of its terms and conditions, (ii) it or he has had
the opportunity to consult with any individuals of its or his choice regarding
its or his agreement to the provisions contained herein, including legal counsel
of its or his choice, and any decision not to was his or its alone, and (iii) it
or he is entering into this Agreement of its or his own free will, without
coercion from any source.

                           6.6      INTERPRETATION. The parties and their
respective legal counsel actively participated in the negotiation and drafting
of this Agreement, and in the event of any ambiguity or mistake herein, or any
dispute among the parties with respect to the provisions hereto, no provision of
this Agreement shall be construed unfavorably against any of the parties on the
ground that he, it, or his or its counsel was the drafter thereof.

                           6.7      SURVIVAL. The provisions of SECTIONS 5 AND 6
hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

                           6.8      NOTICES. All notices and communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly given and effective
when received, if sent by facsimile or telecopy, or by postage prepaid by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by other delivery
service which provides evidence of delivery, as follows:

                                    If to the Company, to:

                                    General Nutrition Centers, Inc.
                                    300 Sixth Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15222
                                    Attn:  Board of Directors

                  with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                                    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
                                    300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3400
                                    Los Angeles, California  90071-3144
                                    Attention: Jeffrey Cohen, Esq.
                                    Telephone: (213) 687-5000
                                    Facsimile: (213) 687-5600

                                    If to the Executive, to:

                                    Louis Mancini
                                    c/o General Nutrition Centers, Inc.
                                    300 Sixth Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA 15222

or to such other address as one party may provide in writing to the other party
from time to time.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                           6.9      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed
in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                           6.10     CAPTIONS. Paragraph headings are for
convenience only and shall not be considered a part of this Agreement.

                           6.11     NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY RIGHTS. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, no entity shall have any right to enforce
any provision of this Agreement, even if indirectly benefited by it.

                           6.12     WITHHOLDING. Any payments provided for
hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable withholding required under
Federal, state or local law and any additional withholding to which Executive
has agreed.

[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this
Agreement, intending it as a document under seal, as of the date first above
written.

WITNESS/
ATTEST:                                    GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, INC.

/s/ Thomasine Kiggins                      By: /s/ James M. Sander
---------------------------                    ---------------------------------
                                               Name: James M. Sander
                                               Title: Senior Vice President

                                           EXECUTIVE

/s/ Thomasine Kiggins                      /s/ Louis Mancini
---------------------------                ------------------------------------
                                           Louis Mancini

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                  "Change of Control" means:

                  (1) any event occurs the result of which is that any "Person,"
         as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act,
         other than one or more Permitted Holders or their Related Parties,
         becomes the beneficial owner, as defined in Rules l3d-3 and l3d-5 under
         the Exchange Act (except that a Person shall be deemed to have
         "beneficial ownership" of all shares that any such Person has the right
         to acquire within one year) directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
         the Voting Stock of GNC or any successor company, including, without
         limitation, through a merger or consolidation or purchase of Voting
         Stock of GNC; provided that the Permitted Holders or their Related
         Parties do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or
         otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of
         Directors; provided further that the transfer of 100% of the Voting
         Stock of GNC to a Person that has an ownership structure identical to
         that of GNC prior to such transfer, such that GNC becomes a wholly
         owned Subsidiary of such Person, shall not be treated as a Change of
         Control for purposes of the indenture;

                  (2) after an initial public offering of Capital Stock of GNC,
         during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
         beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors, together
         with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or
         whose nomination for election by the stockholders of GNC was approved
         by a vote of a majority of the directors of GNC then still in office
         who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
         election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease
         for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then
         in office;

                  (3) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
         disposition, in one or a series of related transactions other than a
         merger or consolidation, of all or substantially all of the assets of
         GNC and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person or group of
         related Persons other than a Permitted Holder or a Related Party of a
         Permitted Holder; or

                  (4) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
         dissolution of GNC.

For purposes of this definition, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

                  "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person,
directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

                  "Apollo" means Apollo Management V, L.P. and its Affiliates or
any entity controlled

                                        2
<PAGE>

thereby or any of the partners thereof.

                  "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of GNC or
any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

                  "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares,
interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other
equivalents of or interests in, however designated, equity of such Person,
including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible
into such equity.

                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                  "Permitted Holder" means Apollo.

                  "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.

                  "Preferred Stock" as applied to the Capital Stock of any
corporation means Capital Stock of any class or classes, however designated,
that is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of
assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such
corporation.

                  "Related Party" means:

                  (1) any controlling stockholder, 80% (or more) owned
         Subsidiary, or immediate family member (in the case of an individual)
         of any Permitted Holder; or

                  (2) any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability
         company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners,
         members, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more
         controlling interest of which consist of any one or more Permitted
         Holders and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately
         preceding clause (1).

                  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:

                  (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of
which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving
effect to any voting agreement or stockholders' agreement that effectively
transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of
the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

                  (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the
managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person
or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

                                        3
<PAGE>

                  "Voting Stock" of an entity means all classes of Capital Stock
of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of
directors or all interests in such entity with the ability to control the
management or actions of such entity.

                                       4<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                     FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  This First Amendment (the "Amendment") to that certain
Employment Agreement dated as of December 5, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement")
among Louis Mancini (the "Executive") and General Nutrition Centers, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") is entered into as of the 12th day of
February 2004 among the Executive and the Company.

                  The Employment Agreement is hereby amended to the extent set
forth below, such amendment to be effective upon the execution hereof by the
Company and the Executive. All other provisions of the Employment Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.

                  1. Section 4.3(c)(iv) of the Employment Agreement is hereby
amended to read in its entirety as follows:

                  (iv) Unless prohibited by law or, with respect to any insured
benefit, the terms of the applicable insurance contract, the Executive shall (A)
continue to participate in, and be covered under, the Company's group life,
disability, sickness, accident and health insurance programs on the same basis
as other executives of the Company and (B) continue to be entitled to the
perquisites available to the Executive immediately preceding his date of
termination as provided in the Perquisite Policy for Senior Executives (as such
policy may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company from time to
time), in each case (x) through to the expiration of the Employment Period, or,
(y) in the event that Executive's Base Salary is being paid pursuant to clause
(ii) of this Section 4.3(c), for the two (2) year period the Executive is
entitled to such payment, without giving effect to any further extensions
pursuant to SECTION 2.2 hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this
Agreement, intending it as a document under seal, as of the date first above
written.

WITNESS/
ATTEST:                                      GENERAL NUTRITION CENTERS, INC.

/s/ Thomasine Kiggins                        By: /s/ James M. Sander
------------------------------------             -------------------------------
                                                 Name: James M. Sander
                                                 Title:   Senior Vice President

<PAGE>

                                    EXECUTIVE

/s/ Thomasine Kiggins                        /s/ Louis Mancini
------------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                             Louis Mancini

                                       2

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