Health-Focused New Year’s Resolutions and Increased GLP-1 Usage Prompt Menu Innovation
At the start of a new year, many Americans vow to eat a better, more balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains and lean protein. While New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside, experts say dining habits are changing — and possibly for the long term.
One factor driving the trend is the increased usage of appetite-suppressing GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes control. For those who need to lose weight, eating less might be beneficial, but cutting back on protein and other macronutrients is not — and consumers recognize that. A recent Smoothie King survey revealed that 43% of the 2,000 respondents are actively trying to consume more protein daily, but only 8% are succeeding.
Franchise brands have responded by adding protein-rich beverages, sandwiches, wraps, salads and pizza to their menus. These brands seek to appeal to today’s health-conscious consumer, especially Gen Z, which comprises the largest segment of restaurant goers, according to Nation’s Restaurant News.
Below, we take a look at the protein-forward menus that are reshaping franchise brands’ offerings.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar Cranks Up the Protein
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar is upping its protein game with the new Mediterranean Power Bowl. This bowl contains 60-plus grams of protein and features grilled chicken served over herbed rice and greens with lemon-oregano vinaigrette, chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions, feta and a hard-boiled egg.
Blaze Pizza Introduces Protein-zza
Blaze Pizza is meeting the demand for high-protein, GLP-1-friendly menu options with its new Protein-zza, which is crafted with a cauliflower crust and topped with shredded mozzarella, a double portion of grilled chicken, onions, mushrooms, basil and Buffalo sauce drizzle. The new limited-time menu option delivers 56 grams of protein per pizza pie, which is almost 10 grams per slice. Another protein-forward menu item is the Carnivore Pizza, which offers 60 grams of protein per pizza pie and features a mix of pepperoni, julienned ham and crumbled meatballs, finished with a balsamic drizzle.
Chipotle Debuts High Protein Menu
Chipotle recently rolled out its first-ever High Protein Menu. Highlights include the Double High Protein Bowl (a burrito bowl featuring double servings of adobo chicken, a lighter portion of white rice, black beans, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, Monterey Jack cheese and extra romaine lettuce), High Protein-High Fiber Bowl (a GLP-1-friendly bowl featuring adobo chicken, a lighter portion of brown rice, black beans, fajita veggies, roasted chili-corn salsa, tomato salsa and romaine lettuce) and Double High Protein Burrito (a burrito featuring double adobo chicken, tomato salsa, fajita veggies, Monterey Jack cheese and romaine lettuce).
Chipotle has also partnered with athletes and content creators to highlight ways superfans rely on the brand for fresh protein. For example, NBA star Josh Hart, a longtime superfan and Chipotle Celebrity Card holder, created a high-protein burrito that contains double adobo chicken, white rice, black beans, tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese.
Dog Haus Launches the Swole Chick
Dog Haus, a gourmet hot dog, burger and sausage franchise, has added the new protein-packed Swole Chick to its Bad-Ass Breakfast Burritos virtual brand in celebration of its 15th anniversary. The Swole Chick stacks cage-free scrambled egg whites, 100% all-natural grilled chicken, white American cheese, avocado, wild arugula, tomato and spicy basil aioli, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. This limited-time menu option, available through Feb. 14, packs 80 grams of protein.
Dunkin’ Adds Protein Milk to the Menu
Dunkin’ is celebrating the addition of protein milk to its menu by collaborating with three-time Grammy Award-winning superstar and entrepreneur Megan Thee Stallion. Beverages featuring protein milk include Megan’s Mango Protein Refresher; the Strawberry Protein Refresher, which is a reimagining of the Strawberry Dragon Fruit Refresher; the Caramel Chocolate Iced Protein Latte; and the Iced Protein Latte with Sugar-Free Vanilla.
El Pollo Loco Launches Double Pollo Salads
El Pollo Loco, a Mexican-inspired fast-casual franchise, now offers Double Pollo Salads for its health-conscious customers. The new menu items contain more than 50 grams of protein and come in Mexican Caesar, street corn and bacon ranch options.
Juice It Up! Welcomes Back Zone Smoothies
Juice It Up! is expanding its bowl customization options and bringing back its protein-packed Zone Smoothie lineup extension. The juice brand’s refreshed bowl selections allow guests to mix and match from an expanded array of bases, including coconut, açaí, passion fruit and dragon fruit, and add creamy chia seed pudding and strawberry chia seed pudding toppings. Additionally, select test locations feature a new Greek yogurt parfait and a Greek yogurt base as options for customizable bowls. The Greek yogurt base contains up to 10 grams of protein, and the parfait delivers up to 25 grams.
Each medium-sized Zone Smoothie delivers up to 32 grams of protein. The original Zone Smoothie features banana, peanut butter, non-fat yogurt, protein powder and peanuts. The Strawberry Zone adds strawberries and a strawberry-apple juice blend to the original Zone Smoothie, while The Berry Zone blends blueberries with the sweet flavors of blackberry layered into the original Zone’s peanut butter–yogurt foundation. These new menu items are available through March 31.
Movita Juice Bar Packs a Protein Punch
Protein and other healthful ingredients have been part of Movita Juice Bar’s DNA since its founding. Every smoothie contains a scoop of all-natural protein and, for customers seeking higher protein, two items stand out: the Resolution Smoothie and the Functional Cold Brew, each made with two scoops of protein. Select açaí bowl upgrades also incorporate protein. When a customer orders a premium açaí bowl, peanut butter and a scoop of protein are blended directly into the base.
Nékter Juice Bar Partners with Koia
Nékter Juice Bar has partnered with Koia, a leader in plant-based protein, to launch the new Protein Cleanse. Choices, which are meant to be consumed over a 12-hour period, include The Full Reset Celery Detox, The Remedy Prebiotics Greens, The Defense Turmeric Lemonade, The Glow Classic Greens and two Koia Elite Vanilla Protein shakes. The Koia Elite Vanilla Protein shakes provide 64 grams of protein to support steady energy and blood sugar balance.
Nékter Juice Bar has also introduced two new Nut Butter Protein Bowls to expand its high-protein options beyond cleansing. With 32 grams of protein, the new Blueberry Almond Protein Bowl blends vanilla whey protein, blueberries, almond butter and Nékter’s house-made cashew nut milk. The Peanut Butter Power Bowl is made with peanut butter, fresh bananas, cacao nibs and a peanut butter drizzle, offering 30 grams of protein. Customers have the option to add an extra scoop of protein to this new bowl for enhanced recovery and satiety.
Papa Johns Infuses Protein in the Dough
Papa Johns is stepping up its protein game by testing its new Protein Crust Pizza during a one-day-only release exclusive for loyalty members at a select Atlanta location. The Protein Crust Pizza is a personal 8-inch pizza packed with up to 55 grams of protein and comes in two options: The Meats and The Veggie.
Playa Bowls Starts the Protein Wave
Playa Bowls, a leading açaí and superfruit concept known for its bowls, smoothies, juices and cold brew, has an all-new Protein Wave menu. This new menu features the Protein Power Açaí Bowl and the Protein Tropical Açaí Bowl, and the Rise & Shine Smoothie, Tidal Wave Smoothie and Wellness Wave Smoothie made with fresh fruit, nut butters, coconut milk and kale. The five products each deliver 31 to 42 grams of protein.
Smoothie King Introduces 100g Protein Pack
Smoothie King’s new 100g Protein Pack bundles a curated selection of protein-packed menu items, including a Protein Box, which is a grab-and-go option that pairs high-quality protein with wholesome ingredients such as hard-boiled eggs or peanut butter and fruit, cheeses, fruit, flax and sea salt crackers; peanut butter toast with all natural peanut butter topped with fruit; and the Gladiator Smoothie, which is available in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.
Smoothie King is also supporting guests in navigating GLP-1 medications with a smoothie line developed in partnership with a registered dietician at Ochsner Health. Each smoothie (Gladiator GLP-1, The Activator Recovery GLP-1 Almond Berry, and Slim’N Trim GLP-1 Mango Greens) is high in protein and fiber and contains no added sugar.
Starbucks Adds Protein Beverages to its Menu
Starbucks is on the protein train with a new menu of protein beverages. The coffee brand’s high protein latte options include the Iced Vanilla Protein Latte, Iced Protein Matcha, Iced Caramel Protein Latte, Caramel Protein Latte and Vanilla Protein Latte. Guests can also enjoy the Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Latte, Iced Sugar-Free Vanilla Protein Matcha, Iced Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Latte and Sugar-Free Caramel Protein Matcha.
Subway Delivers Protein Power
Subway is making it easier for guests to stick to their New Year’s resolutions with the all-new Protein Pockets, which come in Baja Chicken, Peppercorn Ranch Chicken, Italian Trio and Turkey & Ham options. Protein Pockets are packed with more than 20 grams of protein, as well as fresh veggies and sauces. Alongside Protein Pockets, Subway is upgrading its value menu with the all-new Sub of the Day. Customers can enjoy a different six-inch sub every day of the week, including Meatball Marinara, Classic Tuna, Oven-Roasted Turkey and Black Forest Ham.
Teriyaki Madness Offers a Pound of Protein
Teriyaki Madness, a Seattle-style teriyaki brand, is helping guests achieve their health goals with the debut of Double Protein, which allows guests to stack their bowls with up to a full pound of premium chicken, steak, salmon or tofu.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Debuts Protein Lattes
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf recently added a lineup of protein lattes to its menu. The lineup includes vanilla, caramel and hazelnut flavors that can be hot or iced. Lattes contain a minimum of 20 grams of protein.
Tropical Smoothie Café Launches Protein Smoothies
Tropical Smoothie Café’s new protein smoothies feature Chobani Greek yogurt and contain between 33 and 39 grams of protein. These smoothies include the Chocolate PB Protein Smoothie, Cherry Berry Protein Smoothie and Almond Banana Protein Smoothie.
