McDonald’s is preparing to serve a growing group of consumers who use weight-loss pens. In a conference call about financial results, executives from the fast food chain talked about how McDonald’s is testing menu items for this audience, according to information from Business Insider.
CEO Chris Kempczinski said he expects adoption of GLP-1 analogue drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro to continue to grow, adding, “as adoption increases, we know consumer behavior changes.”
He said these customers are interested in high-protein products and that McDonald’s already has a menu with high-protein dishes. Vice President Jill McDonald added, citing examples such as the Snack Wrap, the sausage biscuit sandwich and McCrispy chicken strips.
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“But we’re also seeing changes, perhaps around less snacking, changes in some of the drinks that people consume, fewer sugary drinks,” Kempczinski said. “And all of these factors are influencing some of the products that we are trying and testing.”
He didn’t share details, but that hasn’t stopped experts from speculating. Mike Haracz, former corporate chef at McDonald’s U.S. office, told The Post that customers will notice “fewer carbohydrates and more protein, with an emphasis on fats, from a marketing perspective, as this will encourage purchase intent from GLP-1 users.”
New options could include grilled chicken strips or nuggets; cauliflower tortillas instead of wheat or corn; and smaller burgers with lettuce in place of a tortilla, like those sold at Shake Shack, according to Amy Goodson, a nutritionist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who spoke with The Post.
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In general, doctors recommend that users of these medications consume plenty of protein to avoid losing lean mass (muscle).
