GLP-1 drugs aren’t stopping Americans from eating out, but they are changing what ends up on the tray. People taking medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro order fewer items, skip more sides and bread and look for protein, according to market research firm Circana. A Gallup poll in July found that 11% to 12% of U.S. adults were taking a GLP-1 this year, up from 3% in 2024.
That shift is costing restaurants money. Households with at least one GLP-1 user cut spending at fast food chains, coffee shops and similar restaurants by 8% within six months of starting the drugs, according to research in the Journal of Marketing Research. Circana estimates those households already account for about 24% of food and beverage purchases, and it expects that share to reach 35% by 2030.
How are GLP-1 drugs changing restaurant orders?
The main dish is holding on, but the extras are not. Circana found that GLP-1 users focus on entrees, cut back on sides, snacks and bread, and look for smaller portions. In October, 35% of all restaurant customers told Circana they were ordering smaller portions for health reasons, whether or not they took the drugs. That makes the fries, the cookie and the extra roll the likely losers.
Which chains have GLP-1 menus?
The list grows every month. Smoothie King started first, offering GLP-1 menu items as early as late 2024, and Chipotle and Shake Shack followed in December 2025. Chipotle’s high protein menu ranges from 15 to 81 grams of protein and includes a cup that is basically just chicken. Shake Shack’s Good Fit menu wraps burgers in lettuce and packs up to 52 grams of protein.
Other chains are joining in. Subway added Protein Pockets, El Pollo Loco launched a Protein Packed Menu and Burger King is testing smaller Whopper bites. McDonald’s is now looking at a menu for GLP-1 customers too.
Will smaller GLP-1 portions come with smaller prices?
At least one chain has already done it. Olive Garden introduced a lighter portion menu with smaller servings at lower prices. That matters, because a lighter meal only helps the family budget if the bill shrinks with it. Most fast food chains have focused on what they are adding, not on lowering prices, so Olive Garden gives customers an example to point to.
What does this mean for Black restaurants and families?
The change is already reaching soul food kitchens. Teneshia Murray, who owns T’s Brunch Bar in Atlanta, told Fox News Digital that her customers want the same flavor in healthier dishes, with more protein and fewer carbs. That is a real balancing act for cooks whose menus carry family recipes and cultural memory.
The health stakes are high. Black Americans face higher rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity than many other groups, and in many Black neighborhoods, a drive thru is closer than a full grocery store. Better options at the window could help. But the drugs are still expensive and insurance coverage is uneven, so the families who could benefit most are not always the ones getting prescriptions.
What comes next for GLP-1 drugs and fast food?
Pills are next. McDonald’s has said it is reviewing its menu as GLP-1 drugs become more available in pill form, which could put them in even more hands. Circana also sees an opening for mocktails and drinks with added health benefits. The drive thru isn’t going away, but it is getting leaner and more protein heavy, and the classic combo meal may be the first thing to shrink.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with a doctor before starting or changing any medication.
