Description:  The private equity industry has produced legendary investors like Steve Schwarzman, David Rubenstein and Mitt Romney. But none of these guys have done a deal quite like Raymond Debbane, an unknown and secretive private equity investor who is based in New York. Debbane is the man behind Weight Watchers International, which is the private equity deal of the century. This money-making extravaganza has been going on since 1999, largely unnoticed, and there is no sign that it will stop anytime soon.

Source: Forbes.com

Date: Sep 04, 2012

Link:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2012/09/04/the-mystery-man-behind-weight-watchers-and-the-private-equity-deal-of-the-century/

Questions for Discussions:

• Summarize the history of Weight Watchers Inc.
• Do you agree that it was the deal of the century?
• What would you do if you were Debbane?
• What would you advise investors?