The increasing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss medications is prompting changes in restaurant beverage offerings, with operators expanding choices beyond traditional alcoholic drinks, according to a new report from the National Restaurant Association.
Restaurants are increasingly experimenting with a wider array of beverages, including wellness drinks, smoothies, lemonades, and alcohol-free cocktails, to cater to evolving consumer preferences. This trend is particularly noticeable among younger demographics, who are showing a greater interest in healthier beverage options.
Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Restaurant Association, noted that GLP-1 medications are one of several health trends influencing consumer behavior. "I think you're seeing a lot younger folks who are, in general, wanting to be healthier," Moutray said. "You have people drinking energy drinks and health drinks and all those things. And then you add to that the GLP-1 notion, where if you're taking one of those drugs and your appetite is more suppressed, you're not going to drink as much alcohol."
The association's 2026 Restaurant Beverage Trends report indicates that health reasons are a significant factor for adults choosing not to consume alcohol. Among those surveyed who do not drink, 25% cited health as the reason, a figure that rises to 34% for Gen Z nondrinkers.
Restaurant operators are preparing to broaden their selections. The report found that 24% of limited-service restaurant operators plan to add new wellness drinks in 2026, while 26% intend to introduce energy drinks, 29% smoothies, and 27% lemonades. Additionally, 46% plan to add new coffee offerings.
"I think as GLP-1s become less expensive as this year goes on and as we move into 2027, you're going to see restaurant operators continuing to look for alternatives that can be good menu options for consumers that might be taking those drugs," Moutray added.
Hospitality consultant Derek Brown also observes that GLP-1s are contributing to a broader societal shift toward moderation. "Yeah, there's no doubt that GLP-1s are having an effect on the way that people consume," Brown said. "And it's part of a basket of things that's contributing to people moderating more often."
While these trends suggest a move toward moderation, the report also indicates that younger consumers are not abandoning alcohol entirely. Seventy-one percent of Gen Z adults and 74% of millennials surveyed reported drinking alcohol either at home or in restaurants. Of these, 60% of Gen Z and 68% of millennials drink alcohol in restaurants.
Moutray suggests that younger consumers are instead exploring a wider variety of drink options. The report highlights the importance of beverages for restaurants, with 87% of full-service operators and 80% of limited-service operators stating that beverages can be a key driver of customer traffic. "It's driving traffic, it's getting people excited and it's, hopefully, also helping to improve overall profit margins," Moutray said.