The Popularity of Ozempic Is Changing Dining

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are curbing appetites, so restaurants are serving up smaller meals that cater to this growing segment of diners.

The Small Picture: A report by top accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers found that 8 to 10% of Americans are on GLP-1s, with another 30 to 35% interested. That’s enough to reshape appetites on a large scale — meaning portion sizes will shrink not only at the dinner table at home but also when eating out.

Behind The Dishes: Waiters may soon start asking, “Would you like to see the gluten-free or GLP-1-friendly menu?”

• Per The NYT, some restaurants are introducing smaller meals that also cost less, like the $8 “teeny-weeny mini meal” at NYC’s Clinton Hall, which includes a burger with a 2-ounce patty, 1.5 ounces of fries, and a 5-ounce beer, margarita, or wine.
• At Italian restaurant Lulla, there’s now an “apertivo hour box” with nine snack-size items that serves four people for just $28.
• Cocktail bar Back Bar now serves half-size martinis (two to three ounces) for GLP-1 customers who can’t handle as much alcohol. The bar sells about 35 a week, compared to roughly 75 of their normal-size martinis.
• Smoothie chain Smoothie King is even using GLP-1s as a marketing tool, rolling out an extensive “GLP-1 support menu” at its locations. The offerings are high in protein and fiber but low in sugar.

Final Order: Clinton Hall owner Aristotle Hatzigeorgiou noticed that his friends on GLP-1s “have one or two bites of food and a couple of sips of drinks, and they’re done.” That tracks, given a Morgan Stanley report found that 63% of people on Ozempic order significantly less when they eat out — if they eat out at all. Bloomberg Intelligence similarly found that over half of people on GLP-1s are dining out less since starting the meds.

Next Meal: The food and beverage industry is always chasing the next trend to draw people in, so expect GLP-1-friendly menus to become plentiful. And don’t be surprised if they also become go-to dishes for young adults who still want to eat at popular spots but are naturally on a tighter budget.