From fast food chains to gastronomic establishments, American restaurateurs adapt to reduced appetites from their customers under Ozempic by offering tailor -made dishes and offers.
The New York restaurant Clinton Hall illustrates this trend: last April, the establishment launched its “miniature menu”, reports the New York Times.
For $ 8, customers can taste a mini-burger (50g chopped steak) and fries (45g), accompanied by a mini-choison of 140ml: beer, margarita or wine. This menu with reduced portions, although similar to a child menu, is exclusively intended for adults over the age of 21.
Aristotle Hatzigeorgiou, the owner, launched this special dish after having noticed the number of people around him who take GLP-1, a class of drugs to lose weight that reduces appetite.
“When I am with someone who takes ozempic or mounjaro, for example, they take one or two bites and a few sips of drink, and that’s it,” he said.
A trend confirmed by studies
According to a October 2024 report of PricewaterhouseCoopers8 to 10% of Americans are currently taking GLP-1, and 30 to 35% have expressed interest in taking them.
In April, an investigation Bloomberg Intelligence revealed that more than 50% of users have dinner at the restaurant since the start of their treatment.
Another report published by Morgan Stanley in the same month showed that 63% of people under Ozempic ordered much less during their outings at the restaurant.
“Before, only women ate like birds,” said Dana Gunders, president of Refed, an organization that fights against food waste.
“Now, a brand new market segment actively requires smaller portions. I think restaurants that see this as an opportunity and nourish this group will have a competitive advantage. ”
Gary Wallach, Directorial Partner of the Renwick Hospitality Group in New York, believes that it has also become common for customers to ask for menus in accordance with GLP-1 standards as vegetarian or vegan options.
“People wonder:” Is there something that interests me here? “, He said.
Avoid waste
At Lulla, an Italian Chelsea restaurant, an aperitif box allows you to serve up to four people with nine snacks for $ 28.
“She even includes a small piece of our homemade focaccia,” said Gary Wallach.
At Alderman, in Times Square, a space makes it possible to compose your own snack tray with products such as smoked duck breast or nuts.
People under GLP-1 will not go to the restaurant unless a menu suit them, said Mr. Wallach, because it would be a waste of money.
“It is not because we take this drug that we are rich,” he said.
Medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have also reduced alcohol desires, which led some restaurants to offer mini-Cocktails like Snaquiri, a small Daiquiri.