McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has announced that the global fast food chain is considering revising its menu to cater to the growing number of people using GLP-1 medications.
As per a report from global policy think tank RAND in August 2025, nearly 12 percent of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
Given that McDonald’s is the leading fast food chain in the US, there is likely some overlap between those who frequent the restaurant and individuals utilizing GLP-1s for weight management.
During a February 11 earnings call, Kempczinski stated that McDonald’s is ‘spending a lot of time and paying close attention to’ a ‘shift in consumption’ due to the availability of GLP-1, according to USA Today.
The CEO indicated that McDonald’s has not experienced a negative impact from the rising popularity of these medications, which are also used by those with type-2 diabetes.
“We’ve looked pretty hard, and we don’t yet see evidence of [weight loss drugs] really having a material impact on our business,” Kempczinski said.
“Fortunately for us, protein is one of the areas that this consumer, the GLP-1 consumer, is still very much interested in, and we’ve got a great protein offering on our menu,” he continued, highlighting items like Sausage Biscuit sandwiches and McCrispy Strips.
Though McDonald’s already boasts a ‘great protein offering’, Kempczinski emphasized that the chain is willing to adapt the menu as necessary.
He explained that McDonald’s anticipates changes in customer preferences, with a potential shift towards high-protein, low-calorie options: “All of those things are factoring into some of what we’re out there experimenting with and testing with, and ultimately, as we learn more about that and get feedback from our customers, those things could make their way onto the menu.”
GLP-1 medications function by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which is produced by the small intestine and prompts insulin release, slows stomach emptying, and increases satiety after meals.
Consequently, these medications help suppress appetite, leading to reduced food intake and weight loss.
While enjoying McDonald’s occasionally is common, the Cleveland Clinic advises those on GLP-1 medications to focus on nutritionally rich foods such as leafy greens, apples, lean protein sources like fish, chicken, tofu, and beans, as well as whole grains like oats and quinoa.