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Smaller portions are a big restaurant trend as customers watch their budgets and waistlines
Restaurants nationwide add smaller, lower-priced portions to address health, budget concerns, and food waste, with mini menus making up about 20% of orders at some independents, experts say.
- Across the U.S., special petite, lower-priced menus are popping up at major chains and independent restaurants, with Olive Garden rolling out a seven-item 'Lighter Portions' menu nationwide in January.
- Some diners want to spend less when they go out, and diners seeking lower cost or healthier options plus younger consumers' eating habits and food waste concerns drive smaller portions, Maeve Webster said.
- Beth Tipton, co-owner of Daniel Girls Farmhouse Restaurant, introduced an eight-item Mini Meals menu last fall with a $8 half-meatloaf, now making up about 20% of orders.
- Owners say the change has increased business and prompted thanks from customers, with Julie Finestone of Barkeaters confident Teeny Tuesday specials launched last month will become year-round fixtures.
- Major chains are testing varied approaches, with Darden's CEO stating they are not changing their entire menu, reflecting a longer-term shift in portion strategies.
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Ozempic mania has even Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory cutting back on portion sizes
The biggest new restaurant trend is small. Special menus with petite, less expensive portions are popping up all over, from large chains like Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory to trendy urban eateries and farm-to-fork dining rooms. Restaurants hope that offering smaller servings beyond the children’s menu will meet many different diners’ needs. Some people want to spend less when they go out. Others are looking for healthier options or try…
·New York, United States
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Associated Press News+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Smaller portions are a big restaurant trend as customers watch their budgets and waistlines
The biggest new restaurant trend is small. Special menus with petite, less expensive portions are popping up at large chains like Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory as well as trendy urban eateries and rural retreats.
·United States
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left7Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Left
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Left
47% Left
L 47%
C 40%
13%
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