MLM Companies
OPTAVIA / Medifast Review 2026
Publicly traded weight loss MLM — $1.5B peak revenue in 2022, declining since
Residual Income Rating
2.5 / 5Last updated:
January 15, 2026What is OPTAVIA / Medifast?
Weight loss program sold through a network of Coaches. Medifast (NYSE: MED) is the publicly traded parent company. OPTAVIA is their direct sales/MLM channel. Sells pre-packaged "fuelings" (meal replacements) with 1-on-1 health coaching. Revenue peaked at $1.5B in 2022 and has since declined significantly.
Pros
- 44 years in business — public company (NYSE: MED)
- Per-customer residual ~$20-25/mo on subscriptions
- Revenue per active coach ~$4,672/quarter (2024)
- Structured weight loss with coaching model
Cons
- Per-customer residual moderate (~$20-25/mo)
- Revenue declining from $1.5B peak (2022)
- High client churn — expensive $300-500/mo program
- Active coaches declining (33,900 → 27,100 in 2024)
Rating Breakdown
Residual Income
2.5 / 5Simplicity
2.5 / 5Transparency
3.0 / 5Community & Support
3.0 / 5Value for Money
2.5 / 5Overall Rating
2.5 / 5Frequently Asked Questions About OPTAVIA / Medifast
Is OPTAVIA an MLM?
OPTAVIA operates through an MLM-style distribution model where Coaches earn commissions from their clients' product purchases and from recruiting new Coaches. The parent company, Medifast, is publicly traded (NYSE: MED).
How much do OPTAVIA Coaches earn?
Coach earnings depend on building and maintaining a client base on the OPTAVIA weight loss program. The company is publicly traded (NYSE: MED), providing transparency. Revenue has been declining from the 2022 peak.
Is OPTAVIA effective for weight loss?
Clinical studies show meal replacement programs can be effective for short-term weight loss. However, the program's high cost ($300-500+/month), reliance on processed food products, and high dropout rates raise questions about long-term sustainability.
Quick Facts
Founded1981 (Medifast)
HeadquartersBaltimore, Maryland
Stock TickerNYSE: MED
Monthly Client Cost$300-500+ for program
2022 Peak Revenue$1.5 billion (declining since)
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