America’s Restaurants Face a Dilemma: How to Sell Food in the GLP-1 Era
Amul Info ·
Fewer orders and higher costs are squeezing restaurants as millions of Americans on weight-loss drugs eat and drink less when dining out.
The rapid rise of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is fundamentally shifting how Americans dine. About 11 percent of adults—roughly 30 million people—are now using drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound. Consequently, these consumers are eating out less frequently and ordering significantly smaller amounts of food and alcohol. Chefs and restaurateurs report that half-eaten plates and heavy leftover containers have become a daily norm.
To adapt, eateries are experimenting with smaller portions and slightly lower prices. Many are also looking to add high-protein dishes to menus to help consumers protect muscle mass. However, rising beef and protein prices complicate this strategy, leaving business owners wondering if customers will accept paying extra for protein-boosted meals.