How weight-loss drugs will impact restaurants

Should restaurants worry about weight-loss drugs? This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Leo Feler, chief economist with the data firm Numerator, to talk about the potential impact of GLP-1 drugs on consumers’ food-spending habits. Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are increasingly popular. The medications are historically used for Type 2 diabetes but were found to cause weight loss. They’ve been used increasingly for weight loss. With nearly half of Americans overweight or obese, they’re expected to only grow in popularity.  Numerator recently coauthored a study analyzing the impact of these medications on sales at grocers and fast-food restaurants. They show a real impact that could influence sales in these industries.  Feler talks about the study and the impact of GLP-1 medications and what restaurants should do to prepare.