The elevated use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicines resembling Ozempic and Wegovy is offering revenue alternatives for eating places and different industries, in keeping with Circana’s The Ripple Impact of GLP-1s, As we speak and Within the Future. The report revealed how customers exhibit shifting buying habits over time, with weight-loss customers making fewer meals and beverage purchases throughout the first three months of use, and returning nearer to benchmark ranges by the top of the primary 12 months of use.
There is a chance for restaurant operators who need to embrace the GLP-1 motion by specializing in portion sizes and crafting “GLP-1-friendly”menu gadgets, Sally Lyons Wyatt, world govt vp and chief advisor, Circana, informed Trendy Restaurant Administration (MRM) journal.
“By doing so, they’ll appeal to and foster repeat purchases from shoppers are who both on GLP-1 medicines or taking GLP-1 dietary supplements,” she stated. “This might result in elevated visitors for the operators who might be agile and adapt to shoppers dietary wants, talk to them by way of their most well-liked social/digital channels, and leverage customized messaging the place potential.”
Whereas eating out, GLP-1 customers skew their greenback spend towards quick-service eating places, however they shift towards grocery foodservice, informal eating, and midscale eating places throughout their first 12 months on the medicines, the report discovered. At grocery retail, they’re spending extra on meals that help GLP-1 stability, together with greens, eggs and nuts. Conversely, they’re making fewer purchases of merchandise they’ve been beneficial to keep away from, together with spicy meals, fatty proteins, and drinks with added sugar.
Wyatt advises restaurant homeowners to concentrate on educating workers about what GLP-1 medicines are, the meals and drinks that align with the beneficial eating regimen, and the meals and drinks that customers are beneficial to keep away from. This could embody the function of elements resembling protein, fiber, low/no sugar, and many others.), portion sizes, and hydration.
“They need to additionally evaluate menu gadgets to see if there are alternatives for not solely GLP-1 customers, but in addition gadgets that cater to different dietary preferences to present clients an array of selections.”
Operators can leverage in-store and on-line instruments resembling menu reference guides and symbols to offer shoppers indicators on what menu gadgets align with the beneficial eating regimen for GLP-1 customers and different diets along with introducing alternate options for flexibility in portion measurement, Wyatt suggests.
“A deeper understanding of GLP-1 medicines and their roles in weight reduction has unlocked new alternatives to boost the meals, beverage, and nonfood merchandise that help shoppers’ general well-being,” she stated.. “As accessibility, availability, and affordability of those medicines enhance, it’ll turn into important for corporations to develop methods that help shoppers on their well being journeys. For shoppers needing assist with attending to optimum GLP-1 ranges, working with a medical skilled to find out the right combination of medicines, dietary supplements, and/or CPG merchandise will stay important in managing their well being over the long run.”
Industries past meals and beverage, together with magnificence, wellness, and prescription drugs, can discover cross-sector collaborations to serve this demographic. By refining their innovation pipelines, growing customized options, and creating focused messaging that resonates with GLP-1 shoppers’ values and aspirations, corporations can foster long-term loyalty whereas contributing to shoppers’ broader well being and wellness journeys.

