"Wegovy did all this?" Big-eating Americans even change what counts as a single serving

According to Financial News, restaurants in the United States are putting their menus on a "diet" by cutting back on portion sizes. The move comes as the spread of obesity drugs and rising prices change consumers’ eating habits.
The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 18th (local time) that major restaurant chains across the United States are rolling out menus with adjusted single-serving portions.
For years, meal portions in the United States have been known to be larger than in many other countries. A 2024 paper published in the journal Foods found that the amount of food Americans consume is about 13% higher than that of the French.
However, P.F. Chang’s, an Asian fusion franchise with around 200 locations nationwide, added a new "medium" option to its main courses last year, offering a smaller portion than the standard dish.
Chris Turner, chief executive officer of Yum! Brands, which operates fast-food chain KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken), also noted in a meeting with analysts earlier this month, "We are adjusting product sizes and optimizing cooking methods at 4,000 locations in the United States."
FT also highlighted restaurants that have introduced menus tailored to customers taking obesity drugs. Tucci, an upscale Italian restaurant in New York, launched an "Ozempic menu" last year for diners on such medications. Unlike the regular option, which serves three meatballs, this menu offers just one. The price is slightly higher than one-third of the standard dish.
Industry officials point to data from market research firm Black Box Intelligence to explain this trend. The firm analyzed that, as GLP-1 analogs such as Wegovy and Ozempic become more widespread and living costs rise, restaurants in the United States have seen both customer traffic and sales decline for five consecutive months.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter