From lettuce-wrapped double burger patties to a smoothie with a whopping 45 grams of protein, to a cup of cut-up chicken, protein-forward, light options are beginning to appear on the menus of some popular fast-casual chains across the country in what some companies say is an effort to cater to the rapidly growing number of Americans on GLP-1 medications
The percentage of the U.S. adult population taking GLP-1 medications rose to between 11% and 12% in 2026, up from 3% in 2024, according to a July Gallup Poll
With such sizable portions of restaurants’ customer bases now experiencing shrinking appetites and changing dietary needs, chains including Chipotle, Smoothie King and Shake Shack have begun featuring menu offerings labeled specifically as GLP-1 friendly
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When dining out, many GLP-1 users seek out high-protein, low-calorie options with smaller or flexible portion sizes to meet their preferences and avoid side effects of the medication, nutrition experts say
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Smoothie King’s GLP-1 menu features smoothies named “Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Mango Greens” and “Power Meal Slim GLP-1 Vanilla.” All of the smoothies on the menu contain between 19 and 45 grams of protein, zero grams of added sugar and between 190 and 450 calories
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“What we started seeing was a lot of guests are [on] different journeys, and we had quite a few guests on the GLP-1 journey,” Lori Primavera, vice president of research and development and product marketing at Smoothie King, told ABC News. “So we wanted to make sure we had menu offerings for the guests that fit their nutritional needs and what they were looking for.”
Chipotle’s high protein menu promotes several items marketed as specifically “GLP-1 friendly,” including a high protein-high fiber bowl and high protein-low calorie salad. Both options feature chicken for lean protein and a variety of vegetables with minimal calories. It also offers a high protein cup of cut-up adobo chicken
Chipotle has seen more customers choosing high-protein options, Stephanie Perdue, senior vice president of brand marketing at Chipotle, told ABC News
“We were seeing guests look for more protein-forward choices and greater flexibility in how and when they enjoy Chipotle,” Perdue said, noting that the new menu makes these options easier to find
Shake Shack’s good fit menu markets items that align with a variety of dietary restrictions and goals, including those that are “GLP-1 friendly,” the company said. The menu features several variations of burgers sans-bun for a protein kick without the carbohydrates
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Smoothie King rolled out its GLP-1 offerings as early as late 2024, while Chipotle and Shake Shack introduced theirs in December 2025
Other popular chains have indicated they may roll out GLP-1-friendly offerings soon. Burger King’s president of U.S. and Canada, Tom Curtis, recently told NBC that the restaurant had plans to test new menu items such as Whopper bites and protein-forward bowls partly due to the rise of GLP-1s
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Nutritional Needs & Customer Demand
GLP-1 users typically experience reduced appetite, so experts said it’s important to pack adequate nutrients into smaller portions
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A diet full of protein and fiber is recommended for GLP-1 users, as protein helps the body retain muscle while losing fat and fiber helps combat constipation that GLP-1s can cause, according to the Cleveland Clinic
Dr. Holly Wyatt, an obesity physician and researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said she cautions clients using GLP-1 medications to make sure they get all nutrients in a smaller amount of food
“You’ve got to pack it in,” Wyatt told ABC News. “It’s got to be very nutrient-dense.”
Some of Wyatt’s clients on the medications find high-fat or greasy foods unappetizing and nausea-inducing, while others say they just want a little bit of their favorite dessert and nothing else, Wyatt said. This, she says, is where users have to be cautious of their nutrient intake
GLP-1s trigger a hormonal signal that causes users to feel as though they have already eaten director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine
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“It’s not that it’s the GLP-1 instead of a healthy diet,” Aronne told ABC News. “The GLP-1 helps you to stick with a healthy diet.”
Despite decreased appetites, data shows that GLP-1 users still like to eat out. A 2026 National Restaurant Association survey found that GLP-1 users purchased a meal, snack or beverage from a restaurant an average of 7.6 times per week, versus 5.1 times per week among non-users
Nine in 10 GLP-1 users said restaurants usually have items for people who want to eat healthy, but 89% said they wish restaurants would communicate better about options that promote health and wellness, according to the association’s survey
Wyatt said she hears from her GLP-1-using clients that when they go to restaurants, they want to see half-sized and lunch-sized portions, protein-first options, the ability to customize their meals (particularly when it comes to vegetables) and the ability to box food before it reaches the table
