I don’t think it’s that different from other diets. The money is in books and consulting. People also need to know what to eat when they aren’t fasting so there is an opportunity there.
I like OP's point, this diet works and it can't be sold to people en-mass which causes confusion when different retailers put their own little spin on things. Most fad diets are confusing, hard to follow, and sold to you. IF is none of those things.