Restaurants Enhance Menus with Protein Options to Meet Growing Demand for Healthier Diets Among Americans

A growing list of restaurants are packing their menus with protein as more Americans opt for healthier diets.

Subway recently announced that it was kicking off the year with new Protein Pockets. These items are described as soft tortillas filled with a selection of proteins, such as chicken, ham, and turkey, along with vegetables and a sauce. Each pocket boasts over 20 grams of protein and is priced under $4.

“Getting more protein in their diet is important to so many people. But all too often that protein is expensive or fried,” said Dave Skena, Subway’s Chief Marketing Officer of North America.

Subway recently announced that it was kicking off the year with new Protein Pockets. (Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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The shift towards protein-rich diets has accelerated, especially with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, which have reshaped eating habits. Experts suggest that this trend could gain further momentum as the Trump administration promotes an “upside-down” food pyramid emphasizing protein.

Subway is also enhancing its value menu with new “Sub of the Day” specials that focus on protein-rich options. The lineup includes Meatball Monday, Tuna Tuesday, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Wednesday, Turkey Thursday, and Black Forest Ham Friday.

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In September, Starbucks locations across North America began rolling out Protein Cold Foam alongside a new line of protein lattes made with protein-boosted milk.

Starbucks also recently added drinks with protein to its menu. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

The new drinks contain approximately 15 to 36 grams of protein per 16-ounce beverage, aligning with the company’s strategy to innovate and modernize its menu.

FAST-FOOD GIANT MAINTAINS IRON GRIP ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AMID RESTAURANT INDUSTRY CHANGES

Meanwhile, Sweetgreen has been enhancing its menu with protein-focused options. Nic Jammet, Sweetgreen’s co-founder and Chief Concept Officer, stated that protein is a significant driver of customer choice.

“Our menu gives guests the real fuel they’re looking for, without compromise, and reflects our ongoing commitment to ingredient quality and transparency,” Jammet noted.

The company recently launched The Function Menu in collaboration with Function and its co-founder, Mark Hyman. This menu combines expert nutrition advice with Sweetgreen’s offerings and includes various enhancements aimed at boosting protein content.

In November 2025, Sweetgreen introduced its most protein-dense menu item to date, the Protein Max Bowl. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In November 2025, Sweetgreen unveiled its most protein-dense item yet, the Protein Max Bowl, which contains an impressive 106 grams of protein. The company has also increased portion sizes for chicken and tofu by 25% without raising prices, ensuring that over 10 of Sweetgreen’s chef-crafted salads, bowls, and plates now feature 30 grams or more of protein.

Sweetgreen has also introduced a macronutrient calculator in its app, enhancing menu transparency. This feature allows guests to view a detailed breakdown of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, along with calorie counts for both menu items and custom bowls, according to Jammet.

Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of Mediterranean chain Cava, has also indicated plans to expand protein offerings this year. In an interview with FOX Business, Schulman noted that customers are increasingly opting for premium items like grilled steak or spicy lamb meatballs.

Customers take out food from a Cava restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

In the upcoming year, Cava plans to introduce more menu items, including roasted salmon, to its protein offerings.

However, some companies are going beyond merely adding protein to their menus.

Rä Foods, a U.S.-based food tech and functional foods company, is focused on human health, wellness, and longevity. The company has been working on integrating protein across its portfolio, but emphasizes that this is just one of several ways it is responding to changing consumer needs.

With GLP-1 drugs reducing appetite, Rä Foods notes that “people are becoming far more intentional about what they eat,” leading the company to design foods that deliver more function per bite, not just more protein.

For instance, Rä Foods offers products like Wild About Sprouts, which are sold with roots intact and remain alive until consumed. This living structure preserves enzymes and nutrients, embodying what the company describes as “living nutrition,” or “food engineered to stay biologically active instead of heavily processed.”

“We believe the next food pyramid isn’t just about protein quantity, but about nutrient quality, bioavailability, and function,” the company stated.

A growing list of restaurants are packing their menus with protein as more Americans opt for healthier diets.

Subway recently announced that it was kicking off the year with new Protein Pockets. These items are described as soft tortillas filled with a selection of proteins, such as chicken, ham, and turkey, along with vegetables and a sauce. Each pocket boasts over 20 grams of protein and is priced under $4.

“Getting more protein in their diet is important to so many people. But all too often that protein is expensive or fried,” said Dave Skena, Subway’s Chief Marketing Officer of North America.

Subway recently announced that it was kicking off the year with new Protein Pockets. (Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

THIS FAST-GROWING CHAIN SAYS ‘NO DISCOUNTS’ – AND IT’S PAYING OFF

The shift towards protein-rich diets has accelerated, especially with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, which have reshaped eating habits. Experts suggest that this trend could gain further momentum as the Trump administration promotes an “upside-down” food pyramid emphasizing protein.

Subway is also enhancing its value menu with new “Sub of the Day” specials that focus on protein-rich options. The lineup includes Meatball Monday, Tuna Tuesday, Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Wednesday, Turkey Thursday, and Black Forest Ham Friday.

MCDONALD’S VALUE MEAL RETURN SPARKS INDUSTRYWIDE DISCOUNT BATTLE

In September, Starbucks locations across North America began rolling out Protein Cold Foam alongside a new line of protein lattes made with protein-boosted milk.

Starbucks also recently added drinks with protein to its menu. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

The new drinks contain approximately 15 to 36 grams of protein per 16-ounce beverage, aligning with the company’s strategy to innovate and modernize its menu.

FAST-FOOD GIANT MAINTAINS IRON GRIP ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AMID RESTAURANT INDUSTRY CHANGES

Meanwhile, Sweetgreen has been enhancing its menu with protein-focused options. Nic Jammet, Sweetgreen’s co-founder and Chief Concept Officer, stated that protein is a significant driver of customer choice.

“Our menu gives guests the real fuel they’re looking for, without compromise, and reflects our ongoing commitment to ingredient quality and transparency,” Jammet noted.

The company recently launched The Function Menu in collaboration with Function and its co-founder, Mark Hyman. This menu combines expert nutrition advice with Sweetgreen’s offerings and includes various enhancements aimed at boosting protein content.

In November 2025, Sweetgreen introduced its most protein-dense menu item to date, the Protein Max Bowl. (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In November 2025, Sweetgreen unveiled its most protein-dense item yet, the Protein Max Bowl, which contains an impressive 106 grams of protein. The company has also increased portion sizes for chicken and tofu by 25% without raising prices, ensuring that over 10 of Sweetgreen’s chef-crafted salads, bowls, and plates now feature 30 grams or more of protein.

Sweetgreen has also introduced a macronutrient calculator in its app, enhancing menu transparency. This feature allows guests to view a detailed breakdown of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, along with calorie counts for both menu items and custom bowls, according to Jammet.

Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of Mediterranean chain Cava, has also indicated plans to expand protein offerings this year. In an interview with FOX Business, Schulman noted that customers are increasingly opting for premium items like grilled steak or spicy lamb meatballs.

Customers take out food from a Cava restaurant in Chicago, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

In the upcoming year, Cava plans to introduce more menu items, including roasted salmon, to its protein offerings.

However, some companies are going beyond merely adding protein to their menus.

Rä Foods, a U.S.-based food tech and functional foods company, is focused on human health, wellness, and longevity. The company has been working on integrating protein across its portfolio, but emphasizes that this is just one of several ways it is responding to changing consumer needs.

With GLP-1 drugs reducing appetite, Rä Foods notes that “people are becoming far more intentional about what they eat,” leading the company to design foods that deliver more function per bite, not just more protein.

For instance, Rä Foods offers products like Wild About Sprouts, which are sold with roots intact and remain alive until consumed. This living structure preserves enzymes and nutrients, embodying what the company describes as “living nutrition,” or “food engineered to stay biologically active instead of heavily processed.”

“We believe the next food pyramid isn’t just about protein quantity, but about nutrient quality, bioavailability, and function,” the company stated.