The Ozempic and Wegovy Effect on the Hospitality Industry

The No-Hunger Games: The Ozempic and Wegovy Effect on the Hospitality Industry

Welcome to the No-Hunger Games — where full plates are out, half portions are in, and your regulars might not even want dessert anymore.

If you've been feeling like customers are ordering less, sipping slower, or skipping entire courses, you're not imagining things. It’s not a vibe shift — it’s Ozempic and Wegovy (a medication for diabetes masquerading as a weight-loss drug) shaking up the hospitality scene.

What is Ozempic & Wegovy?

Ozempic and Wegovy — originally developed for diabetes and now widely prescribed for weight loss — are GLP-1 drugs that basically tell your brain, “Nah, we’re good.” They reduce appetite, slow digestion, and dull cravings. It’s not just a trend — it’s a physiological shift in how people interact with food.

How is it affecting the hospitality industry?

In the U.S., it’s already making waves across restaurants, cafés, and bars. Think:

• Guests splitting mains like it's the 2008 recession.
• Side salads getting more love than double cheeseburgers.
• Dessert menus collecting dust.
• Low- and no-alcohol drinks stealing the spotlight from house wines.

Some chains and fine dining spots are already adapting. Menus are shrinking. Portion sizes are tightening. More "entree-sized mains" and "just a bite" desserts. Healthier options, lighter fare, and mocktail menus are getting their moment.

Is it affecting Australia and New Zealand?

The wave is already hitting Aussie shores — slowly but steadily. With GLP-1 prescriptions on the rise and Ozempic turning into a household name, we’re starting to see similar behavioural shifts in dining habits here too.

• Cafés are noting customers leaving more on the plate.
• Restaurants are seeing average order values dip slightly, not dramatically, but noticeably.
• Bars? Less round-buying, more sipping on soda with lime.
• People are asking for half-sized or entrée-sized portions of dishes listed in the mains section.

What about New Zealand? Get ready because you're next. In April 2025, New Zealand’s medical regulatory body approved Wegovy’s use for weight loss, so you can bet the trends will cross the ditch in due time — so now’s a great moment to get ahead of it.

How can I turn the Wegovy and Ozempic effect into an opportunity for my food business?

Is this a total disaster? Not at all. In fact, it might just be an opportunity in disguise. Here’s how to flip this into a win:

1. Tapas and share plates for the win

Smaller portions? Lean into it. Tapas-style menus and share plates let diners pick and choose without pressure. It encourages more social dining and keeps average spend reasonable, even when individual appetites are smaller.

2. Offer half portions

Give people the option to downsize — without skimping on flavour or quality. It’s a simple way to reduce food waste and show that you’re tuned in to your customers’ changing needs.

3. Rethink portion sizes altogether

Let’s be honest — some of us have been over-serving for years. Take this moment to audit your menu. Could you trim portion sizes slightly, reduce plate waste, and cut back on your food costs? Probably. And in this economy, smart efficiencies are a flex.

4. Expand your low- and no-alcohol options

With reduced appetites often comes a lower tolerance for alcohol — and a rising interest in health. Craft mocktails, low-ABV beers, and premium soda alternatives are more than just filler on the menu now — they’re key players.

5. Market it right

Frame your changes as intentional, health-focused, and sustainability-driven. "Smart portions, zero waste, full flavour." This isn’t about cutting corners — it’s about cutting food waste and improving the dining experience.

The round-up

Yes, GLP-1 drugs are changing how people eat. But it doesn’t have to be bad news for your venue. In fact, this shift might just be the nudge the industry needed to rethink bloated portions, over-ordering, and waste.

Adapt early, stay nimble, and serve smart. Because in the No-Hunger Games, survival isn’t about having the biggest menu — it’s about having the smartest one.