How GLP-1s are changing restaurant menus and grocery baskets

What you probably already know: Diners are ordering less. Visits to the grocery store mean more fresh produce, lean proteins and hydration products and fewer alcohol, sugary snack and ultra-processed foods. The rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Monjaro are doing more than shrinking waist sizes and helping people lose weight. They’re fundamentally reshaping shopping habits across America. A Circana report found that 23% of U.S. households now use GLP-1s, while new patient prescriptions increased by 2.9 million between September 2024 and September 2025. One in eight adults now currently takes a GLP-1 drug, including 15% of women (compared to 9% of men). Usage is highest among those ages 50 to 64.

Why it matters: While few come right out and say it, restaurateurs are changing menus and product selections to appeal to rapidly evolving habits. One who is talking is Christopher Kempczinski, McDonald’s president and CEO. Kempczinski said on a recent earnings call that the fast-food chain is “paying close attention” to rising GLP-1 use, noting that “as adoption grows, we know that consumers’ behavior changes,” though he added that the chain already offers a protein-packed menu. Another is Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright, who admitted that smaller protein-inspired dishes are “a fast-growing trend,” adding that the chain’s recent double-protein promotion hit digital sales highs. Other restaurant executives have been outright dismissive of GLP-1 drugs on their menus or sales, though most, including Subway, have added higher-protein menu offerings the past year.

What it means: A Cornell University study released in December found that households cut grocery spending 5.3% in the prior six months. The number rose to 8% for higher-income households. Spending at fast-food restaurants and coffee shops also fell 8%. Spending on yogurt, however, is up. “Our findings highlight the potential for GLP-1 medications to significantly change consumer food demand,” the study notes, “a trend with increasingly important implications for the food industry.” J.P. Morgan estimates that upwards of 30 million Americans will be on GLP-1 treatments by 2030, calling the trend “one of the key storylines to watch.”

What happens next: The J.P. Morgan report says it’s unclear how the popular drugs will influence other industries, everything from medical device technologies to beverage consumption. GLP-1 treatments could slash food and beverage spending by up to $55 billion in coming years, with consumers taking in 21% fewer calories and spending 31% less on groceries. GLP-1 use is, however, boosting grocers’ pharmacy business, with Albertson’s President and CFO Sharon McCollam saying that there’s “upside” to consumer spending on the drugs. The Food and Drug Administration in February said it would “take legal action, including seizure and injunction” against companies who use misleading advertising and marketing campaigns for non-FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs.